Technical requirements | Navigating through ALPECOLe | Printing ALPECOLe

System requirements

• Any system capable of running Netscape 4.75 or Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher and a monitor resolution setting of at least 800 x 600 pixels
• An internet connection with at least a 56K connection speed
   

Recommended browsers

For optimum functionality we recommend Netscape 4.75 or higher, Mozilla, or Internet Exlporer 5.0 or higher.* Other browsers may be used but some functions may not work properly.

*This is not an endorsement of these browsers, only a reflection of the results of the usability testing for the material presented within the ALPECOLe web site.
 

Necessary plugins

• Flash Player 6 or higher (download)
• Acrobat Reader 5 or higher (download)
   

Browser settings

These settings may be changed within the Properties or Preferences areas of most browsers.

• Your browser must be set to accept cookies
• Javascript must be enabled
• Set your browser to show style sheets
   

Text size

The text size in ALPECOLe is made to accomodate different screen sizes and resolutions. You may increase or decrease font size display by selecting a different size within your browser under View > Text Size or View > Text Zoom. (Control '+' or '-' for PC and Command '+' or '-' for Mac.

Changing your browser font display size within your browser preferences from 72dpi to 96dpi will also increase font display size.

The length of lines of text can be altered by changing the size of your browser window.
 

Structure

ALPECOLe is currently made up of 28 Lessons divided into an introduction and 4 modules which can be differentiated by the colour of the menu bar. The top menu bar lists areas and services common to all lessons within ALPECOLe. Lessons are numbered for convenience but may be followed in any order.

Each lesson has a unique navigation tree. Each lesson begins with a large navigation tree which is a visual representation of the contents within the lesson. Subsequent pages have a scaled down version of the lesson's navigation tree.

Sample of large navigation tree	Sample small navigation tree

Each content page is represented by a dot on the tree. You may link to any page within a lesson by clicking on its dot on either the large or small navigation tree. The structure of the tree and placement of the dots show the order and relation between the topics they contain.

Every lesson has a Learning Objectives , and Review Test page.

 Full dots are mandatory or core content pages. Exercises on these pages are also mandatory.

 Circles are supplementary or enrichment pages where topics are further explored. These may also contain media-rich content which require internet speed connections faster than a 56K modem.

 Red dots indicate the page you are currently on.
 

Links

All links are in white. Visited links are in yellow. Links can take you to areas within the same or other lessons where a particular topic is further explored. Links outside of the current lesson are supplementary. Links outside of the current lesson and ALPECOLe site will open in a new browser window.

Words or terms in red are links to terms defined within the Glossary.

Look out for the following symbols that invite you to explore many interactive exercises, animations and models.
Instructions to interactive elements.

Buttons within a blue circle are links.

Images with thin white borders are linked to enlarged views. Images with thick white borders are linked to enlarged views which contain core information. You can see enlarged views by clicking directly on images.

image linked to optional enlargement (thin border)	image linked to mandatory enlargement (thick border)	unlinked image

Words or phrases in bold are for emphasis. 
 

End of page

NOTE: Be sure to scroll to the bottom of each page. Content often takes up more than one screen length.

When you see the back to top link you have reached the end of the page. You may use this link to return to the menu at the top of the page.

If you have any further questions or problems relating to the use of the ALPECOLe online lesson environment please contact alpecole@geo.uzh.ch.

Printable documents

Lengthier texts, tables, and detailed diagrams will often be available in a printable PDF file format for printing by clicking on the PDF-download icon provided.

29 August 2011
© ALPECOLe 2002-2007