Since this documentation was prepared in Winter and Spring 2001, Lab Management has added a shortcut to the WebChat page--from the "Class Programs" menu under the apple icon; Internet Explorer launches automatically. I've left the browser-based instructions as they are for the convenience of completeness for home-based users. Special thanks to my Winter 2001 104A class, which took on this documentation task, and to Sara Jost, who compiled this version as part of a 199 project.--John Stenzel
UC Davis Web Chat is an Internet program that allows students to share work and ideas via chat sessions created by instructors. This program has many advantages over counterparts such as Daedalus. Web chat is web based, providing a virtual classroom for individuals in different physical locations; also, because Kerberos authentication is required, it is difficult for unauthorized persons to enter the program, however.
This instruction guide assumes that the user has basic computer skills including navigating the Internet, and is working from a UC Davis Macintosh computer classroom. This document also includes information for PC users.
If you are accessing Web Chat from another location, you will need to be able to connect to the Internet and be able to find the web browser on your computer. The user should also have a Kerberos user ID and password to log onto a computer and Web Chat. Students can obtain these passwords from the Information Technology (IT) Help desk in Shields Library, Room 182 (Copy Services) with a photo ID.
For additional help, Computer Room Consultants (CRC's) are available in most campus computer classrooms and labs to assist users.
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Select web browser from toolbar |
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UC Davis Restricted Document Request |
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Kerberos Authentication Box |
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Web Chat Welcome Page Choose a chat |
Note:Click on the Participants button on the bottom portion of the screen to view a list of users currently entered in this chat.
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Web Chat Page |
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Function Buttons |
Note:Instructors can save transcripts as text files or as html-formatted files by using the "Chat Room Administration" area of the program. |
Save a transcript of the chat |
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Finder / Open-applications menu |
This section covers some of the advanced techniques for Web Chat. Not all users will need to understand this information, but some may find these procedures useful.
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Edit options |
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Open another browser window |
Address bar: In a browser, the bar to the right of the word "Location" where users may type a web address and click Enter to navigate to a desired web site.
Back: A browser toolbar icon that returns the user to the previously loaded page.
Browser: A program such as Mozilla or Internet Explorer used to navigate the Internet.
Continue: A link at the bottom of the UC Davis Restricted Document Request that allows users to proceed to the next screen.
Computer Room Consultant (CRC): A student available in each classroom to assist with any technical difficulties the user encounters. The CRC's are recognizable by the royal blue vests they wear over their shirts. There are also usually signs over the computers they work at identifying the CRC's.
Go: A browser toolbar item that takes the user to locations previously visited or typed in the address bar. .
Kerberos: An authentication protocol, connected to your UCD account, that allows you to access restricted documents such as web chat or Sisweb. When you are finished with an Internet session, completely quit a browser to end a Kerberos session and prevent other users from accessing secure documents and programs through your Kerberos authentication.
Scroll: Move the pointer down a list or move the bar on the bottom or side of a screen to navigate to a different section of the screen.
Security Notice: A warning informing the user that he or she is accessing a webpage that is not securely encrypted for privacy.
Toolbar: The headings and icons along the top of the screen such as File, Edit, View etc. which allow the user to open and modify documents and invoke programs or utilities.
Web Chat: An Internet program that enables students and instructors to collaborate online, even from different physical locations, and which allows instructors to archive and edit chat contents.
Send Message: Sends text composed or pasted into the message box at the bottom of the screen to the shared chat space.
Clear Form: Erases the text from the "Enter Chat Message Below" workspace.
Exit Chat:Exits the chat session and returns you to the Class Chats page. This feature closes the current chat but does not close the Web Chat program or the browser. The open browser must be closed completely to end the session.
Refresh: Updates the chat screen with the latest information. This feature is useful for viewing new contributions when you are composing a message or are not actively sending messages, because the screen only automatically refreshes when you send a message.
Participants: Lists names of individuals currently logged onto the chat room.
Transcript: Allows you to save a text version of the chat contents up to when you click the button.The saved file will not include any subsequent comments entered in the chat room. To save the complete session, save a new transcript when the session is finished.