DeepMatrix FAQ

  1. What software do I need to run DeepMatrix ?
  2. Can I use it on my local computer ?
  3. The applet doesn't appear in Netscape and the Java console tells me something about class not found !
  4. The loglevel options don't give my the information I need ! How can I get more / other information ?
  5. How can I report bugs ?
  6. The applet loads, but after login it crashes / doesn't work / can't see my friend ... Whats up ?
  7. Why doesn't the source compile ?
  8. How can I rebuild the jar files ?

1. What software do I need to run DeepMatrix ?

DeepMatrix is a client - server software system. So there are different requirements for the client and the server.

The server is a standalone Java program and needs any Java 1.1 compliant Java runtime environment. We run the server on OSs like Windows95/98/NT, Irix, Solaris and Linux.

The client is a Java applet and runs in a web browser, using a VRML plugin to display the 3D content. The following table gives an overview of reported working combinations.

Operating System Web Browser VRML plugin
Windows95/98/NT Internet Explorer 4.x and above Cosmoplayer 2.1
not tested !
Window95/98/NT Internet Explorer 4.x and above Blaxxun Contact 4.0
Window95/98/NT Internet Explorer 4.x and above Parallel Graphics Cortona 2
Window95/98/NT Internet Explorer 4.x and above Shout3D
Window95/98/NT Netscape 4.5, 4.05 and above Cosmoplayer 2.1
not tested !
Window95/98/NT Netscape 4.5, 4.05 and above Blaxxun Contact 4.0
Window95/98/NT Netscape 4.5, 4.05 and above Parallel Graphics Cortona 2
Window95/98/NT Netscape 4.5, 4.05 and above Shout3D
Irix 6.5 Netscape 4.07 Cosmoplayer 2.1

Not each and every single on of these combinations where tested. Derived from the tested ones, these should work. If it doesn't work try to upgrade to the latest versions of your HTML Browser and VRML plugin. We develop usually using the latest versions.

The Shout3D client should work on any HTML browser that supports Java 1.1. I just put it in the table as a reference.

Compiling under IRIX has a problem, if you are using the Cosmoplayer EAI classes. These do not support the beginUpdate() and endUpdate() methods in the Browser class. You will need the EAI classes from Contact or Cortona.

2. Can I use it on my local computer ?

Yes, you can run DeepMatrix on your local machine. Just start the DeepMatrix server. Then there are two possibilities.

If you use Netscape you can just browse to the HTML file containing the applet and start it. The applet will then connect to the server on your local machine.

If you use Internet Explorer, you have to start a web server too and access the DeepMatrix web page from that. Then it will work also for IE.

The following mail gives a very nice description of what to do to start your own server.


I have downloaded DM1.1 from the new site you gave me in your

last email.  I have unzipped it to a directory on my D: drive, named

DeepMatrix1.1



I have created a virtual directory in MS PWS/IIS4.0, naming it

vserver/DeepMatrix.  Therefore, from my web browser, I issue the

following URL:  http://office/vserver/DeepMatrix



From the command prompt, and within the DeepMatrix directory, I

enter the following command line:



jre -cp muserver.jar matrix.server.MatrixD



After a few seconds, it say that the server is running and listening

to office 0.0.0.0, port 7000

Back to the web browser, I direct it to:

http://office/vserver/DeepMatrix/index.html, which initiates the Deep

Matrix main page.

I click on any of the examples.  It brings up the blaxxun Contact 4

browser window, loads the vrml file, and starts the applet.

    

3. The applet doesn't appear in Netscape and the Java console tells me something about class not found !

There can be a problem with the Java Virtual Machine in Netscape, if the Cosmoplayer Java classes are in the CLASSPATH environment variable. These classes are in a file called npcosmop21.jar or npcosmop21.zip. Make sure that there is no reference to them in your CLASSPATH.

4. The loglevel options don't give my the information I need ! How can I get more / other information ?

You can use one of the debug programs in the tools package. tools.NetListener is a generic log program that logs into a DM server and logs all messages. There will be more loging capabilities in the future.

5. How can I report bugs ?

You can mail me directly merlin@geometrek.com, or use one of the mailing lists. More information about these lists is on the Geometrek web site. Please report also what configuration you are using and if possible, add a copy of the printout in the Java console of your web browser. If you run your own server include a copy of the logfile too. With this information we might have a chance to help you.

6. The applet loads, but after login it crashes / doesn't work / can't see my friend ... Whats up ?

First check whether your web browser / vrml plugin combination is in the table from question 1. If you think so, update your web browser and VRML plugin to the latest version available. Try again, this might solve some problems.

If you still can't get it to work, go to question 5 and send me a bug report.

7. Why doesn't the source compile ?

You will need the classes from the packages vrml.external.*, vrml.external.field.* and vrml.external.exception.*. These classes are distributed with your VRML plugin.

You will need versions from Blaxxun Contact or Parallelgraphics Cortona to compile the DeepMatrix source code. It will not work with the classes distributed with Cosmoplayer because these do not support the beginUpdate() and endUpdate() methods of the Browser class. However running the system works.

8. How can I rebuild the jar files ?

The jar files distributed are packaged for your convenience. The following information should help you to rebuild these packages, if you recompile the source code.


I hope you have fun with DeepMatrix !