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Getting Started

The AstroGrid System is accessed using a Java application called VODesktop. Note that Java Runtime Environment 1.4.2 or above is required and a minimum of 512Mb of system RAM is recommended.

Once you have installed the software, then:

• Documentation for the VODesktop
• Examples of usage of VODesktop

Full Installation of the VOdesktop Client

Downloading the Software

• Download the java jar file (file located at http://beta.astrogrid.org/trac.cgi/attachment/wiki/WikiStart/vodesktop-2008.1.beta.jar?format=raw)

Running the VODesktop Software

How you run the VODesktop jar file depends on which operating system you are using:

• Linux: run with java -Xmx1024M -jar vodesktop-2008.1.beta.jar
• Mac OSX: open a Terminal, cd to the directory that you saved the jar file and run with java -Xmx1024M -jar vodesktop-2008.1.beta.jar
• Windows XP / Vista: double click the jar file to launch it.

You will then see an AstroGrid splash screen appear followed by the AstroGrid VODesktop icon - either a 'start' button or in your system start tray (bottom right if using Windows XP).

Once you have run up VODesktop - it is usually useful to have at least TopCat running as a client helper application - to view for instance tables. See the page on Helper Applications on how to start these up.

What version of Java?

VOdesktop is a java application. Thus you'll need Java installed to be able to run VOdesktop. Currently (Jan 2008) you must have have version >= 1.4.2 available - although we recommend Java 1.5 or 1.6 now.

You can find out what version of Java you have by typing in a *nix environment:

   java -version

which should return someting like

   % java version "1.5.0_13"
     Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition (build 1.5.0_13-b05-237)
     Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.5.0_13-119, mixed mode, sharing)

If you don't have Java installed - check the Sun Java website - http://java.com/en/ and follow the Download link. Or, if you are working on a clustered set of machines, contact your sys admin to ask about Java.

Getting an Account

You will need an AstroGrid username-password-community set to be able to log into the VODesktop. (Please remember that your user-account is for your own use only). If you are a research astronomer, please email astrogrid_signup@star.le.ac.uk to request a username. In your registration email please include your name and academic department. (NB: this information will remain confidential to the AstroGrid project)

Once you get a username/ password - which will be on the leicester (uk.ac.le.star) community - you can change this password by visiting the page at http://corazon.star.le.ac.uk:8080/astrogrid-community-le/UserPasswordChangeForm.jsp

Getting Help

Tutorials and further documentation on using the VODesktop 2008.1 'Beta' release are at VODesktop2008beta-doc.

If you have any questions which are not covered by this web site or are having problems with the application then please send an email to helpdesk@astrogrid.org.

We encourage you to report any bugs you discover using the Trac bug system - go to http://beta.astrogrid.org/trac.cgi/newticket, select defect or enhancement in the type: box, add your comments in the Description box and hit the Submit button when you are done. (Note: to use this bug reporting you'll first need an account for this website - mail helpdesk@astrogrid.org for one - once you have that - remember to login - see the button at the bottom left of this page - and then you can submit bugs!)

Start Up Help for Workshops

These links give specific information for AstroGrid and related training events.

• Aus VO 2008 School: Sydney 27 March 2008
• JETSET 5th School: Galway 12 Jan 2008

Note that earlier information can be found on the old !astroGrid wiki at http://wiki.astrogrid.org/bin/view/Astrogrid/AgWorkshops