The Toolbox is contained on a CD-ROM, but it works like a Web site. You can quickly access Toolbox content by using the navigation bars above and to the right. Descriptions of sections listed on the top navigation bar can be found at the bottom of the Toolbox "Home" page.

The Toolbox CR-ROM was designed to run on both Windows-based and Macintosh-based computer systems. As a Web-formatted program, the contents should be viewable on any number of Web browser software, including Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Safari, Firefox, and many others. However, due to limitations in funding, the Toolbox was designed to work best with more "up-to-date" software and operating systems, ensuring that it would be useful for many years to come.

Below, you'll find some basic operating advice and information that may help you if you have problems running the Toolbox on your computer. We recommend that you read this page completely before contacting Biodiversity Project or GLAHNF for technical support.

Copying the Toolbox to Your Computer

Running files directly from your CD-ROM drive can sometimes slow down your work, so we encourage you to copy the Toolbox contents to your hard-drive or desktop. To do this:

1. Make sure you have at least 450 mega-bytes of space on your computer.

Next . . . if you're working in Microsoft Windows:

1. Insert the Communications Toolbox CD-ROM in your computer drive
2. Open "My Computer" from your desktop or "Start" menu.
3. Find your CD-ROM drive and open the Toolbox CD.
4. Drag the folder "GL_Toolbox_v1" to your desktop or to your hard-drive. It may take a few minutes for all of the data to transfer to your computer.
5. Once the data is copied, you can eject the CD-ROM and run the Toolbox by opening the "GL_Toolbox_v1" folder and clicking on the file marked - "toolboxhome.html." Your internet browser will open automatically.

Or if you're working on an Apple computer:

1. Insert the Communications Toolbox CD-ROM in your computer drive.
2. The CD will appear on your desktop - click on the CD to open the file.
3. Drag the folder "GL_Toolbox_v1" to your desktop or to your hard-drive. It may take a few minutes for all of the data to transfer to your computer.
4. Once the data is copied, you can eject the CD-ROM and run the Toolbox by opening the "GL_Toolbox_v1" folder and clicking on the file marked - "toolboxhome.html." Your internet browser will open automatically.

 

Trouble Shooting

Below you will find advice for addressing Toolbox users' most common troubles. If these do not address your problem, please test your CD drive and other computer components to makes sure they are operating properly. If you're convinced that there is a problem with the CD and the following specific items, please contact Marci Singer at the Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Network and Fund - (231) 347-1181, ext 107.

1. Is your browser unable to find a Web site link?

Please note that some of the links on this CD-ROM go directly to external Web sites - you'll need to be connected to the Internet to view them.

2. Are you missing the drop down menus on the horizontal navigation bar?

Users of Microsoft XP Service Pack Two or Recent Versions of Internet Explorer may not be able to view the top navigation bar drop down menus. Here's why:

Active content is Web content that relies on either ActiveX controls or computer code called a script to work properly. Examples include stock tickers, video, and animated content on Web pages. The Great Lakes Connecting Communities Communications Toolbox CD-ROM uses Active content in its design. This format increases the functionality of the site and allows us to organize a large amount of data in a relatively small layout space.

If you have installed the newest version of Internet Explorer or Microsoft XP “Service Pack 2” you may have problems viewing some of the content on this CD-ROM and receive the following warning at the top of the Explorer window:

"To help protect your security, Internet Explorer has restricted this file from showing active content that could access your computer. Click here for options..."

This message appears when a Web page open on your computer tries to run a script or ActiveX control. Internet Explorer blocks the active content portion of the page but allows the rest of the Web page to open so you can see how it functions without the script or ActiveX control. Often, you will be able to view or use the Web page without using the active content, but in the case of this Toolbox CD-ROM, you’ll be missing some of the navigation functions at the top of the page.

In order to allow the page to run scripts and ActiveX controls on your computer, follow the steps below:

In Internet Explorer click on the “Tools” menu, then:

1. Click on “Internet Options”
2. Click on the “Advanced” tab at the top of the new window
3. Scroll down the long list to the “Security” section
4. Check, or click, the box marked “Allow active content from CDs to run on My Computer”
5. Also, check the box marked “Allow active content in files to run on My Computer”
6. At the bottom of the window click “Apply” and then “OK”
7. You may need to close and reopen the program to see the effect take place.

This should resolve your problem with running the Toolbox Web format from either the CD-ROM or from a file transferred to your computer from the CD-ROM.

3. Do items on the page appear "messed up?"

Due to the differences in various Web browsers, such as Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator, and the differences in the functionality of computer systems used by our grassroots allies, it was nearly impossible to design a program that would work flawlessly across all computer platforms. You may find that some of the formatting of the Toolbox pages appears to have shifted. In short, some pages may appear to be "messed up." There are three simple solutions that you might consider for this problem:

1. Download the newest version of Microsoft Internet Explorer: Internet Explorer is available for free from the Microsoft Web site (click here).

2. Change your screen settings: The Toolbox was designed to perform best on screen resolutions of 1024x768 pixels. You can easily change your screen settings on your computer at any time. For Windows users, click on the "Start" menu and then click on "Settings" and then, "Control Panel." From here you can double-click on the "Display" item. A new window will open that features "tabs" across the top - click on the "Settings" tab. Here you'll see a sliding bar labeled "Screen Resolution." Slide the bar to the right, 1024x768 pixels, and then click "OK." Your screen will blink for a moment as the computer resets your screen resolution. Everything should appear a bit smaller, but also quite a bit more detailed. If you don't like the setting, don't worry, you can always switch it back. But remember, some functions of the Toolbox will be less "messed up" if you use the higher-resolution setting.

3. Change your Web browser text size: This is perhaps the easiest way to correct any shifting of the Toolbox format. With your Web browser open, click on the menu item labeled "View" at the top of the screen. Scroll down to "Text Size" and click on it. Another small menu will appear that allows you to set the size that text appears in your Web browser. For the Toolbox, select "Medium" or "Small."

4. Are you unable to open some of the files?

We have made the best effort possible to design this CD-ROM to work on a variety of systems. The Toolbox was tested on Windows and Macintosh based computers with a variety of software configurations. Older versions of computer operating systems and software may affect the functionality of the Toolbox.

The toolbox will work with most Web browsers, but we recommend Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox. We also recommend users have Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel on their computers to view print documents, but these are not necessary in each case if you have compatible software installed. Finally, we recommend some type of media player, such as Windows Media Player or Quicktime (for Windows or Mac), for viewing TIFF images and listening to the Great Lakes Forever MP3 audio clips.

This is the first generation of the Toolbox CD-ROM, so there are bound to be some technical difficulties. Your help in identifying problems and solutions is GREATLY apprecitated. Please note that we will try to work with you when you encounter technical difficulties, but that Biodiversity Project and the Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Network and Fund are non-profits, too. In some cases, the solutions to specific problems may not be immediately rectified.

Photo Credits: 1) Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; 2) Lynn Betts, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; 3) Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.