Getting Started
With WHS
Accounts, Logging In, Passwords, and Getting into a WHS Class
Click here
for a version of this document with smaller screen clips.
This document describes how
you log into a WHS account and how your account is added to a class. It further describes browser plugins which you
may need to view the on-screen mathematics.
For information on how WHS is used in your classes see “A Student Guide to WHS”
Contents
· If
you pre-registered for your class
· If
you added the class during drop/add
Notes
on some of the fields in the Account Information forms
Note to
To participate in a Web Class activity (e.g. a mathematics class at the
- If
you pre-registered
for your class
your instructor will give you your User Name (login) and password on the
first or second day of class.
Simply enter them on the appropriate lines and press the “login”
button. This will take you to the
WHS main screen (the page at left, below) which is the interface with your
class(es).
For your account to function properly you will need to enter your correct email, change your password, and provide some general information. To do so select “Maintain Your Account” at the top of the page. It is very important that you promptly complete the “Maintain Your Account” forms. (There are notes on some of the information fields at the bottom of the page).
Browsers and Plugins
WHS employs SVG graphics and MathML. The supported browsers are Firefox 1.5 (or later) and Internet Explorer 6.0 (or later):
- Mozilla
Firefox, Version 1.5 or later
(Windows or Macintosh)
which can be downloaded for free from http://www.mozilla.com/
Older releases of FireFox require additional MathML fonts which can be downloaded and installed at http://www.mozilla.org/projects/mathml/fonts/
Choose your computer in the “Fonts to Install” Table, download the font installer and follow the instructions. The most recent releases of FireFox already contain largely complete MathML support so with the most recent releases it is safe to defer this installation until (and if) display problems are encountered.
- Microsoft
Internet Explorer 6.0
(Windows) which can be
downloaded for free from http://www.microsoft.com
. To use this browser you will need two (free) plugins
- Design Science MathPlayer which can be downloaded for free from http://www.dessci.com and
- Adobe
SVG Viewer which can be
downloaded for free from http://www.adobe.com/svg
Notes to Mac Users:
Unfortunately, Safari doesn’t work with WHS. Owners of late-model Macs generally have good
results with Firefox 1.5. Even with
Firefox there are reports of problems
with missing minus signs. These problems may be corrected by downloading and
installing the MathML fonts for Macintosh at http://www.mozilla.org/projects/mathml/fonts/. You will probably want to print copies of
your assignments from a PC (you can do this at no cost in the Mathskeller) and compare them to your
Mac display to check that you are not having this problem.
Workstations in student SCS laboratories at the
Now refer to “A Student Guide to WHS” for information on how WHS is used in your
classes.
- If
you added the class during
drop/add or are informally auditing (“browsing”) the class you will need to create your own account. To do so, select the “Register For a
New Account” and enter
the information requested. Note
that fields marked with a red asterisk (*) are required. The required information is listed at
the bottom of the page. When you have completed the form press
the “Create User” button at lower left.
(See the notes on some of the information
fields at the bottom of the page)
- Once
your account has been created and you login with a new account the
display will be sparse since you will not be enrolled in any activities
or classes. You need to add your
class. Do the following:
- Select
the downward arrow by “Tools” in the Menu. Then select “Web Homework”
- In the “Add a Class” line, select the school hosting the class (usually this is your school). Then select the class and press the “Add Class” button. If you only want to view the public course materials and do the homework problems but do not intend to actually register for the course then check the “For browsing only” box. The text “Class added successfully” should appear above “Add a Class” and the course should appear in the “Drop a Class” list. ( To drop a class select it there and press the “Drop Class” button.). Press “Back” in the drop/add menu to go to WHS.
Important:
When you add a class in WHS you
are actually only requesting WHS registration in the class. The class instructor must
subsequently complete your registration.
You can immediately begin participating in the WHS component of the
class but until he/she completes your registration none of your work will be
presented to the instructor. However once registration is complete all work,
including that done before actual registration will appear to the instructor
and will be treated as if you were
registered from the time the “Class added successfully” message
appeared. Note that the WHS “ADD/DROP” is
entirely independent of registration for
university credit. For
credit you must also be registered through the office of the registrar.
Browsers and Plugins
WHS employs SVG graphics and MathML. The supported browsers are Firefox 1.5 (or later) and Internet Explorer 6.0 (or later):
- Mozilla
Firefox, Version 1.5 or later
(Windows or Macintosh)
which can be downloaded for free from http://www.mozilla.com/
Older releases of FireFox require additional MathML fonts which can be downloaded and installed at http://www.mozilla.org/projects/mathml/fonts/
Choose your computer in the “Fonts to Install” Table, download the font installer and follow the instructions. The most recent releases of FireFox already contain largely complete MathML support so with the most recent releases it is safe to defer this installation until (and if) display problems are encountered.
- Microsoft
Internet Explorer 6.0
(Windows) which can be
downloaded for free from http://www.microsoft.com
. To use this browser you will need two (free) plugins
- Design Science MathPlayer which can be downloaded for free from http://www.dessci.com (look for “MathPlayer” under “Products” and
- Adobe
SVG Viewer which can be downloaded
for free from http://www.adobe.com/svg
Notes to Mac Users:
Unfortunately, Safari doesn’t work with WHS. Owners of late-model Macs generally have good
results with Firefox 1.5. Even with
Firefox there are reports of problems
with missing minus signs. These problems may be corrected by downloading and
installing the MathML fonts for Macintosh at http://www.mozilla.org/projects/mathml/fonts/.
You will probably want to print copies
of your assignments from a PC (you can do this at no cost in the Mathskeller) and compare them to your
Mac display to check that you are not having this problem.
Workstations in student SCS
laboratories at the
Now refer to “A Student Guide to WHS” for information on how WHS is used in your
classes.
Notes on some of the fields in the Account Information forms
- Email: Your email address is required both for communication with your instructor and to recover your password if it is forgotten. The email you provide is called your registered email. Your registered email can always be used as your login ID (User Name).
- User
Name: The user
name is the primary identifier for your account. Once the account is
established it cannot be changed. In the past the User Name was the
social security number. However
most institutions are moving to alternative identifiers. At
- Password: Your password must be at least 7 characters long and should contain at least one character that is not a letter or numeral. It is strongly recommended that you record your password in a convenient place. If you don’t label it as such the chances that it will be misappropriated are remote.
- Security Question: By far the most common problem people have with WHS (or similar systems) is forgetting their passwords. The security question is one that among the people who can read your email, only you would reasonably be expected to answer. If you forget your password, select “Forgot your Password?”. The system will ask for your User Name and present your challenge question. If the question reminds you of your password you can just login. Otherwise, if you answer correctly and press submit then the system will email your password to you. More correctly, the system will change yours to something randomly selected email the result to you . The new password could look like “ }$z3_5JeA{nnVl”. Use your registered email and the replacement password to log in and immediately. Then select “Maintain Your Account” (at the top of any WHS page) and change the password (you don’t really want to try to get that one right more than once or twice).
Paul Eakin
August 19, 2006