This appendix provides you with information on the contents of the DVD that accompanies this book. For the most up to date information, please refer to the ReadMe file located at the root of the DVD. Here is what you will find in this appendix:
System requirements
Using the DVD
What's on the DVD
Troubleshooting
Most reasonably up-to-date computers with a DVD drive should be able to play the screencasts that are included on the DVD. You might also find an Internet connection helpful for downloading updates to this book.
You need a text editor to finish nearly every lesson. Most operating systems have one installed by default, but you might want to download and install another text editor that offers more features (especially if you're using Windows). I use Microsoft's Visual Web Developer Express 2010 in the screencasts (www.microsoft.com/express/).
You also need a web browser. Almost all major consumer operating systems have one installed by default, but you can download other browsers (or update yours) if you want. The following list details the latest versions of the most used browsers and where you can download their latest versions:
Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 (
www.microsoft.com/ie/—for Windows only)Google Chrome 7 (
www.google.com/chrome/)Mozilla Firefox 3.6 (
www.getfirefox.com)Apple Safari 5 (
www.apple.com/safari/)Opera 10.62 (
www.opera.com)
To access the content from the DVD, follow these steps.
Insert the DVD into your computer's DVD-ROM drive. The license agreement appears.
Note
The interface won't launch if you have autorun disabled. In that case, click Start
Read through the license agreement, and then click the Accept button if you want to use the DVD.
The DVD interface appears. Simply select the lesson video you want to view.
To install the items from the DVD to your hard drive, follow these steps:
Insert the DVD into your computer's DVD-ROM drive.
The DVD icon will appear on your desktop; double-click to open.
Double-click the Start button.
Read the license agreement and click the Accept button to use the DVD.
The DVD interface will appear. Here you can install the programs and run the demos.
Nothing beats watching how something is done, and that's why a DVD accompanies this book. Most lessons in the book have a corresponding screencast that illustrates examples in the lesson and provides content beyond what is covered in print.
I recommend using the following steps when reading a lesson:
Read the lesson's text.
Read the step-by-step instructions of the lesson's Try It section.
Watch me complete the exercise in the screencast.
You can also download all of the solutions to the Try Its at the book's website. If you get stuck and don't know what to do next, visit the p2p forums (p2p.wrox.com), locate the forum for the book, and leave a post. You can also contact me through my website at www.wdonline.com/contact/.
If you have difficulty installing or using any of the materials on the companion DVD, try the following solutions:
Turn off any anti-virus software that you may have running: Installers sometimes mimic virus activity and can make your computer incorrectly believe that it is being infected by a virus. (Be sure to turn the anti-virus software back on later.)
Close all running programs: The more programs you're running, the less memory is available to other programs. Installers also typically update files and programs; if you keep other programs running, installation may not work properly.
Reference the ReadMe: Please refer to the ReadMe file located at the root of the CD-ROM for the latest product information at the time of publication.
Reboot if necessary: If all else fails, rebooting your machine can often clear any conflicts in the system.
If you have trouble with the CD-ROM, please call the Wiley Product Technical Support phone number at (800) 762-2974. Outside the United States, call 1(317) 572-3994. You can also contact Wiley Product Technical Support at http://support.wiley.com. John Wiley & Sons will provide technical support only for installation and other general quality control items. For technical support on the applications themselves, consult the program's vendor or author.
To place additional orders or to request information about other Wiley products, please call (877) 762-2974.