The
developer will include the necessary programming to check for the presence of
any plug-ins that are required by the SCO. This programming will run either
when the SCO first opens, or at the point that a plug-in becomes necessary, but
in any event the check must be done prior to any attempt to load the
plug-in. Each SCO that uses a plug-in will do this check again, even though it
may have already been done by a previous SCO in the course. If the
required plug-in is determined to be present, no message is displayed. However,
if a required plug-in is determined to be missing, a displayed error message informs the user of
this fact and explains how to obtain the plug-in; an example of this message could state:
This course uses the Shockwave Player, version x.x. If you do not have Shockwave installed,
you or your DOIM will need to install it. If you have an Internet connection and the rights
to load software onto your computer, you can download it from
Adobe's website.
MP3 Restrictions: ATSC
has been notified by the DOIM that the use of MP3 is not allowed due to security
concerns. Audio for courseware presentation in MP3 format must be embedded into
Flash files.
Information for Plug-Ins (IE, Flash and Shockwave) with
a license term of 1 year: These licenses cover updates,
patches, upgrades and revisions. If you decide to use a different version from
the ones listed above, you must notify this office when the IMDP is submitted
for review.
Information for Plug-Ins (QuickTime & Adobe Reader)
when the license covers only one version: If you decide to
use a different version from the ones listed above, you must notify this office
when the IMDP is submitted for review.
Note 1: For the Microsoft
IE 6 External License and Distribution Agreement click here;
for the Microsoft IE 7 External License
and Distribution Agreement click here.
Note 2: DoD policy
prohibits the use or display of all commercial icons on official government web
sites, but text hyperlinks are authorized. "Only text or hyperlinked text shall
be used to direct visitors to software download sites. Graphics or logos
depicting companies/products shall not appear on publicly accessible DoD Web
sites." DoD Web Site Administration, Policy, and Procedures, paragraph
8.1.4. This policy is in compliance with the Joint Ethics Regulation. DoD Web
Site Administration, Policy, and Procedures, paragraph 8.1.4 states: In
accordance with DoD 5500.7-R, publicly accessible DoD Web sites shall not
require or encourage users to choose any specific browser software (Page 9 of 21 DoD
Web Policy - Amended 2/13/2002. Only text or hyperlinked text shall be used
to direct visitors to software download sites. Graphics or logos depicting
companies/products shall not appear on publicly accessible DoD Web
sites. Recommend the use of a link such as, "Click here to download software"
in lieu of the Microsoft, or other commercial icon. See Note 5 for disclaimer
statement for web-based products. Click here for the Adobe
Flash Player Distribution License Agreement.
Note 3: The QuickTime
agreement does not require that the Army put the logo on the CD and CD cover
before distribution. It does require that when the CD is utilized that the
logo appear on the desktop of the authorized Army user. The soldiers install it
upon the computers they are using so they can use the video and audio features
of the courseware. What the agreement requires is that upon installation by a
soldier on their computer, the icon the soldier clicks on to run the program is
a QuickTime logo (instead of some other icon such as a picture of Donald
Rumsfeld, an M-1 tank or something else). This is similar to the requirement
that Adobe Acrobat has regarding its free Acrobat Reader software: if you
install it, the icon on your desktop, however, is the Adobe Acrobat icon. There
is no display that requires a disclaimer to be placed next to it on printed
material. However, JAG legal recommends a disclaimer statement (see Note 5). Click
here for the QuickTime Software
License Agreement and the QuickTime Software Distribution Agreement.
Note 4: The Adobe Reader
distribution license agreement states the following: “During the term of this
agreement, you will use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain a complete,
clear, and accurate record of the number of copies of the Software you
distribute during each calendar quarter in a manner sufficient for you to
establish and demonstrate that you are in compliance with the terms and
conditions of this Agreement”. ATSC will be responsible for maintaining this
data. Click here for the Adobe Reader Software License Agreement and the
Adobe Reader Software Distribution Agreement.
Click here for the addendum to the Adobe
Software License Agreement.
Note 5: Legal
representative recommends that a general disclaimer be placed in course
materials that are used by DoD or the Army of any particular software that does
not constitute an endorsement of the same. For the CD version, the disclaimer
should read as follows: “The appearance of this logo is for the sole purpose of
identifying software used in this product. It does not constitute an
endorsement by the U.S. Army or DoD”. This disclaimer could be printed or
placed in a "read me" file on the CD. For the web-based version, the disclaimer
should read as follows: “All hyperlinks to non-U.S. Government sites or services
are provided solely for your convenience. Use of such links on this website are
not an endorsement of or warranty of the services provided by such sites, nor
does DoD exercise any responsibility over the content at such
sites.”
Note 6: The government can
include the NGRAIN's Viewer on CDs for distribution to soldiers. The NGRAIN
Viewer v4.0 can be used to view courseware developed using the Knowledge
Module. The NGRAIN Viewer 4.0 viewer can only be used to play content that was
developed using NGRAIN's Producer 4.0 software. If NGRAIN is used to produce new
courseware, the NGRAIN Producer 4.0 software is to be used. Click here for the
NGRAIN's Software License Agreement and
the Certificate of Networthiness.
