ICONSnet User Guide: Logging In

ICONS Homepage

What to do before you can use ICONSnet

ICONSnet is available to registered ICONS participants. For more information on ICONS and registering for simulations, please see http://www.icons.umd.edu. Before the simulation begins, you will receive the simulation URL (Uniform Resource Locator, the Web term for an address) and a username and password.

Logging In

Use your WWW browser to get to the assigned URL. (Each simulation will have a different one.) To login, you will need to know your assigned username and password. Be aware, however, that you can change your assigned password at a later time.

ICONSnet runs on a secure server using the Secure Sockets Layer protocol.  All data sent between your computer and the ICONS webserver will be encrypted using a private key.

The ICONS security certificate is compatible with Netscape 4.0 and greater and Internet Explorer versions above 3.02. Older versions may work, but might require an update. Thawte Consulting, the issuer of the ICONS certificate maintains a browser compatibility page at http://www.thawte.com/certs/server/browsers.html.

Please note that your assigned URL will begin with https://.   This is not a typo.  The extra s indicates that the server is secure.

Note:  Some schools have firewalls that will prevent your computer from accepting the security certificate.  One indication of this would be if you get an error message instead of the login screen for your community.  Have your school's technical specialist configure the firewall, proxy server (if your school uses one), or browsers to accept a certificate of this nature to solve the problem.  (This is a rare problem, which typically only affects participants trying to use computers at certain high schools.)

The Login Screen

The first part of ICONSnet that you will see when you go into its URL is the Login screen.

To login to your ICONSnet account, simply move the cursor to the name box and click. When you see the cursor, type in your assigned username. (It doesn't matter whether you use lower case or capital letters.) Then click on the password box, and type in your assigned password. After you are finished, click on one of the ICONSnet function buttons below.

NOTE: Pressing the Return or Enter key on your keyboard will not move you from user ID to password, or from password to program functions. You must use the mouse to accomplish these tasks (although some systems support the use of the TAB key to switch between the form fields).

Accessing ICONSnet Functions

ICONSnet function buttons are available on the main Login page and on most other pages within ICONSnet. This means that you do not have to return to the main Login page to switch to a different program function.

Multiple Logins

ICONSnet allows for multiple logins. This means that there are no limits on the number of team members who may be using ICONSnet at any given time. Remember, however, that there must be coordination among team members on the reading and sending of team messages.

http://www.icons.umd.edu/help/net2.html
Last modified: March 2, 2001