Sunday, 3rd June 2007
If you fancy using BlueJ on Mac OS X, head over to bluej.org and and grab the stable 2.2.1 version for OS X. Once downloaded you will have the BlueJ folder, just put this where you keep your other apps. This is a stock BlueJ install so you will need to add the OU components.
1. Right click, or control click if you have a single button mouse on the BlueJ icon. Select the option “Show Package Contents” this will open a window with a folder named “Contents”.
2. Navigate to the userlib folder Contents > Resources > Java > userlib.
3. Pop in the Course software CD, at the root of the CD is a folder named “libraryfiles” go inside here and copy the files “bsh-2.0b4.jar” and “ou.jar” to the userlib folder opened in the last step.
4. Next navigate to the folder Contents > Resources > Java > extensions.
5. From the root of the course CD copy the jars “eaextension.jar” and “ouwextension.jar”.
6. In the finder navigate to the folder named Library in the root of your hard drive and scroll down to the folder Java, copy the same two jars “bsh-2.0b4.jar” and “ou.jar”
to the folder named “Extensions”.
Quick listing:
Inside BlueJ application bundle:
Resources > Java > Extensions should contain the following:
eaextension.jar
ouwextension.jar
Inside BlueJ application bundle:
Resources > Java > userlib should contain
bsh-2.0b4.jar
ou.jar
In the Library Folder in the Hard Drive and not in your home folder.
/Library/Java/Extensions should contain the following:
bsh-2.0b4.jar
ou.jar
If your still stuck let me know :)
Thats it done. Now your good to go!
I have seen another site that says to put “bsh-2.0b4.jar” and “ou.jar” in /System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/1.5.0/Home/lib/ext/ this location is the actual Java system and should not really be touched. The Location /Library/Java/Extensions is the official location for additional jars and classes specified by Apple, all extensions are loaded when the JavaVM is started up. Another advantage of this approach is that if Apple updates the Java installation which is common this location is static and will just work with future versions.
If you want some more info, or find this useful leave me a comment.
Friday, 16th February 2007
The Open University are terrible at supporting anything but Microsoft stuff. They seem to treat it like some sort of virus. The Open University use a piece of software for all the communications and stuff called Firstclass Client, they don’t say too much about the software as it comes on the CD that comes with the courses. What they failed to tell you is that it is cross platform! Thats right Mac OS X / Linux / Windows. As of version 8.3 I think it’s also a Universal Binary application so that means that both PowerPC and Intel are supported native.
Once you have downloaded and installed the Firstclass Client it will be missing the server settings for the Open Uni, I guess you could call up the OU computing help desk and get the details or you can use a Windows box to get the details. Just load up Firstclass and when the login in panel comes up click “Setup” and then just copy the server address your-course-server-here .open.ac.uk.
The user interface is the same on all platforms so the OU help desk should be able to help you if your really stuck. It would be pretty interesting to know how many OU people are using other platforms. If you come across this leave me a comment.
Download you flavour here! http://www.intl.firstclass.com/downloads/Clients
Here are some other OU posts I wrote recently, they might help someone out. I need to update the second one a bit.
BlueJ on Mac OS X for the Open University
Open University Computing Information For Mac Users
Saturday, 27th January 2007
If you fancy using BlueJ on Mac OS X, head over to bluej.org and and grab the stable 2.1.3 version for OS X. Once downloaded you will have the BlueJ folder, just put this where you keep your other apps. This is a stock BlueJ install so you will need to add the OU components.
1. Right click, or control click if you have a single button mouse on the BlueJ icon. Select the option “Show Package Contents” this will open a window with a folder named “Contents”.
2. Navigate to the userlib folder Contents > Resources > Java > userlib.
3. Pop in the Course software CD, at the root of the CD is a folder named “libraryfiles” go inside here and copy the files “bsh-2.0b4.jar” and “ou.jar” to the userlib folder opened in the last step.
4. Next navigate to the folder Contents > Resources > Java > extensions.
5. From the root of the course CD copy the jars “eaextension.jar” and “ouwextension.jar”.
6. In the finder navigate to the folder named Library in the root of your hard drive and scroll down to the folder Java, copy the same two jars “bsh-2.0b4.jar” and “ou.jar”
to the folder named “Extensions”.
Quick listing:
Inside BlueJ application bundle:
Resources > Java > Extensions should contain the following:
eaextension.jar
ouwextension.jar
Inside BlueJ application bundle:
Resources > Java > userlib should contain
bsh-2.0b4.jar
ou.jar
In the Library Folder in the Hard Drive and not in your home folder.
/Library/Java/Extensions should contain the following:
bsh-2.0b4.jar
ou.jar
If your still stuck let me know :)
Thats it done. Now your good to go!
I have seen another site that says to put “bsh-2.0b4.jar” and “ou.jar” in /System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/1.5.0/Home/lib/ext/ this location is the actual Java system and should not really be touched. The Location /Library/Java/Extensions is the official location for additional jars and classes specified by Apple, all extensions are loaded when the JavaVM is started up. Another advantage of this approach is that if Apple updates the Java installation which is common this location is static and will just work with future versions.
If you want some more info, or find this useful leave me a comment.
Saturday, 1st October 2005
First I will be contructive by telling mac users what you can do for software.
Open University CD Contents (Major apps only)
Normal Apps
Star Office
Kaspersky Antivirus
ZoneAlarm Personal Firewall
Profile (Some JAVA CV creator / helper – PC Only)
Info-ZIP WIZ
Sesame Screen Saver
Web Apps
Internet Explorer 6
Shockwave & Flash
Mac alternatives with tips and advice
Star Office = Open Office / Neo Office
Open Office is developed from Star Office and Open Office is probably better in some ways. For the mac you can either install Open Office and use X11 or you can just download Neo Office which is easier and nicer to use.
Kaspersky Antivirus = ?
As of yet there is no viruses about so no need at present, just enjoy sending all your friends the email viruses they sent you without you getting infected!
ZoneAlarm Personal Firewall = Mac OS X Built-In Firewall
This is most probably the free version which is well cheapo on the OU’s part. Just check you Mac OS X Firewall is running by looking in “System Preferences”>”Sharing”>”Firewall” tab.
Profile = Stop being so lazy and write it yourself
Info-ZIP WIZ = Built-In
Just use the built in “Create Archive” command found in the “File” menu and under the contexutal menu in the Finder in 10.3.x/10.4.x. For those with two button mouses right click for the contextual menu, for single button users hold the control”Ctrl” key down when clicking. If you are using an older version 10.0/10.1/10.2 you can use Stuffit to zip or use the command line, one the terminal and type “man zip” for information.
Sesame screen saver = ?
Great no mac version, like you want some rubbish telling you how the OU want to take more of your cash!
Internet Explorer = Safari, Firefox, Camino
Just use Safari or any other browser, Firefox, Camino, Camino is prefered over Firefox IMO on the mac.
Shockwave & Flash
Both availible on the Mac and 99% sure they will be installed already.
