Getting Started

This GUI is a stand-alone Java application, and does not run from within a web browser. But a web browser may be used to obtained and execute the application. All that it required to make this possible is a web browser and Java Web Start, which can be obtained from java.sun.com/products/javawebstart. Download and installation instructions are given at this website. Java Web Start is currently packaged as a part of the Java 1.4.2 Runtime Environment, so the user will be required to install the full Java 1.4.2 JRE.

If your browser does not recognize the java web start file type, the configuration options are:
Description Java Web Start
MIME type: application/x-java-jnlp-file
suffix: jnlp
application: enter the full path and filename for Java Web Start executable that you downloaded. (i.e. $JAVA_HOME/jre/javaws/javaws). Netscape users add a "%s" after the executable.

In Netscape this information is entered via Edit -> Preferences -> Navigator -> Applications -> New

The first time that the GUI is run through Java Web Start a warning will appear regarding certification and security. The GUI is self certified by a member of the JICS team (S.P.). The GUI will not run unless the certificate is accepted.

Java Web Start and the GUI have the ability to run on both Windows and Linux platforms. The client/server applications have been tested on T1 and cable modem lines. Performance on 56K modems has not been tested and is likely to be painful.

Finally, anyone may view the GUI, but running simulations requires access to the PICMSS server which is strictly controlled by the Joint Institute for Computational Science. To obtain a username and password contact the PICMSS administrators at JICS, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (picmss@jics.utk.edu).