Sent: Wednesday, August 21, 2002 4:07 AM

Subject: NET section

To students enrolled in CS "NET" distance education sections for Fall 2002:

You have signed up for synchronous (real-time) Internet delivery of a course for Fall 2002. This email contains information that needed by students before the first class. You also will find this information and much more on webpage http://netlab.gmu.edu/disted.

The specific terms of Internet attendance will be announced by your instructor. As an example, the rule in my own courses is that all students have the option to attend every class, but not take the exams, over the net. NET students are expected to attend all classes and may come to the classroom if there is space. All registered students can replay the recordings we make of every class.

The distance education software we will be using this year is called Network EducationWare (NEW). It consists of a collection of open source tools, integrated using software developed at GMU. You can learn more at http://netlab.gmu.edu/NEW. At present the NEW client runs only on Windows computers (Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, and XP). It provides the instructor's voice and graphics in real time, and has an option for video if you have high-capacity Internet service such as cable modem or DSL. If you have a microphone that works with your computer's sound setup you can ask spoken questions during class, even with only a dialup connection.

Before you attend a class over the network, you will need to install the NEW client software and check that (1) it works on your computer and (2) your Internet connection is good enough to support real time class delivery. To be good enough it does not have to be high capacity; 56k modem service is good enough. But the network path must not be overloaded at class time or the sound delivery will be unacceptable. Because the Internet carries more load in afternoon and early evening, you need to test at those hours.

If the sound quality is poor, you have the option to use a dial-up connection to GMU (703-426-2468) with your GMU username and password (as used on OSF1). The software is available (including a recorded class that runs on the client and can be used to test your Internet connection). If you have trouble with the installation, look on the webpage http://netlab.gmu.edu/disted. You will also find a button on that page to get the password you will need with the NEW system. The password will then be sent to your GMU email account.

We are looking forward to a successful year of distance education with the NEW system. If you have questions about your course, ask your instructor. If you have problems with NEW, send email to help@netlab.gmu.edu.

Mark Pullen