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If you would like a more printer-friendly version of these instructions, click here.
Seeing 3D Molecules on Your Computer Screen
In order to see and manipulate the 3D molecules that you see in class, you need Chime and Netscape Communicator version 4.5, 4.6, or 4.7 (how can I tell which version I have?). If you have Netscape Communicator version 4.5, 4.6, or 4.7, then you only need to get Chime and install it. If you do not, you'll probably need to get Netscape Communicator as well.
What's the Difference Between Netscape Navigator and Netscape Communicator?
Navigator is sort of a "bare bones" version of Netscape, without frills. Netscape Communicator includes an email program and the ability to design your own web pages. Some people prefer Navigator because it is smaller than Communicator. However, the only versions of Netscape that will get you onto ALL the Chime presentatoins on the World Wide Web are Netscape Communicator 4.5 - 4.7x, so if you are downloading Netscape, get Communicator. Note that Navigator 4 will work on the DNA tutorial we looked at in class, and on many other Chime tutorials, but not on all of them. So you could use Navigator 4 for now if you'd like.
How Do I Know What Version of Netscape I Have?
When Netscape starts up, it displays its name and part of its version number. But a better way to check is to look in the "About Netscape" window. In Netscape, look under the "Help" menu and select "About Communicator" or "About Netscape."
How Do I Get Netscape?
Here's the link to download Netscape Communicator 4.7. The first time you open Netscape after installing it, it will prompt you to set up a "profile." You must enter some text in the blanks, but as soon as you reach the screen that asks you for your "mail server," you can stop - click on "Finish." Now you are ready to get and install Chime!
Chime: What is it?
Chime is a "plug-in", that is, a mini-program that adds functionality to Netscape. In this case, the functionality is to display molecular structures in 3D. A normal browser can't do it - it has to be given an extra set of instructions (the plug-in called Chime) which is packaged by a company called MDLI and distributed for free.
How Do I Get Chime? How Do I Install It?
To get Chime, visit http://www.mdlchime.com/chime and click on "register" in the upper left hand corner of the page.
After registering, follow links to the download page, and download Chime onto your computer. Then quit your browser program, and all the other programs you are running.
Find the downloaded Chime Installer, double-click to activate it. If you are on Windows, that's all you have to do, the installation will proceed. If you are on a Mac, you will be asked to select the correct "Plug-ins Folder" for installation. In the dialog box, you will see a list of one or more "Plug-ins" Folders. Click once on a Plug-ins Folder to see what program folder it is inside of (this information is displayed in the same dialog box). When you find the Plug-ins Folder that is nested inside of your Netscape folder (i.e., inside of a series of folders that are inside of the Nescape folder) select it and then click "Next" to continue installing Chime. The rest is automatic. Quit the installer when it is finished.
How Do I Use Chime?
Chime integrates seamlessly into your Netscape browser. The only thing that will change (when you have installed Chime) is that when you visit a page that has a Chime 3D molecule on it, you'll see a 3D molecule instead of a broken icon indicating that you don't have the plug-in!!
To verify that Chime is installed and working, open Netscape (if you don't have Netscape Communicator 4.5, 4.6, or 4.7, click here). Go to http://www.moleculesinmotion.com. Select the Exploring DNA tutorial. At the bottom of the page that you next see, click the link to open the tutorial. A new window will open with the tutorial in it. If you see the molecule, (takes a few seconds to appear) you are all set, start to play!! On the other hand, if you see a broken icon, something is wrong. You can visit the following page for troubleshooting help: http://www.umass.edu/microbio/chime/neccsoft.htm#verify or you can email Frieda at friedar@moleculesinmotion.com so we can diagnose the problem. Please include your operating system (Windows 95, 98, etc., or Mac OS 8.6, etc.) and a brief description of the problem. Good luck, have fun, and remember - it's your DNA!