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Instructions for Saving a Loop

Introduction

It is desirable at times to save a loop for viewing at a later time. Unfortunately, there is no quick and easy way to do so. Using the "save" option from the browser menu will not correctly save a loop. If you wish to successfully save a loop, you must use the following instructions. It is suggested that you read the entire set of instructions before attempting the procedure.

Instructions

1. Create a new folder on your hard drive. It can be created in any subfolder, and you can use any name that you like. For the purpose of these instructions, I shall call it the "Loops" folder. If you are going to save more than one set of images, you must create a new folder for each set. Otherwise, you will overwrite data.



2. Create another new folder on your hard drive. It MUST reside in the same subfolder with the "Loops" folder, and it MUST be named "loopcode2". For example, if my "Loops" folder has the full path: C:\directory1\directory2\Loops, then the "loopcode2" folder MUST have this path: C:\directory1\directory2\loopcode2



3. Visit the Available Products page, and find the product that you want to save.  Note how many times per day that the product is produced! Click on the desired product, and an index of files will load. Right click on the "image01.gif" link. A popup menu will appear. Select the "Save Target As..." option if you are using Internet Explorer, or the "Save (Link or Page) As.." option if you are using Netscape. Save the file in the "Loops" folder. Do NOT open the link in a browser and save it as a webpage. This procedure will not work in that manner. Repeat this for all of the "imageXX.gif" files that you require. (See the Image Download Help page for instructions on determining which files are required.)



4. Go to the Offline Pages index if you are saving Low Resolution images or if there is only one resolution available. Go to the High Resolution Offline Pages index if you are saving High Resolution images. From the appropriate index, find the file that best suits your needs (See the File Download Help page for instructions). Right click on the file you wish to save. A popup menu will appear. Save the file that you need in the "Loops" folder using the same method that was used in Instruction #3. This file MUST be in the same folder with the images you want to loop. It can be copied to other folders if you choose to save more than one set of images.



5. Save the compressed Java Applet "JavaApplet.zip" from the Java Applet Folder. This can be done using the same method that was used in Instruction #3, or you can left click on the file to do it automatically. Unzip the contents of the file into the "loopcode2" folder.



6. Open one of the locally saved "OPC_Product_Loop_xX_Daily_xx_Day.html" files with a web browser. If you experience problems, see the Troubleshooting section below.

Troubleshooting

• Determine your version of Java using the Version Checker. If it is version 1.1.4, you will probably need to update your current version by visiting the Sun Microsystems website. Other versions may fail as well.



• Try running your saved loop in Internet Explorer. Netscape has been known to fail at times.



• Make sure that the "OPC_Product_Loop_xX_Daily_xx_Day.html" file is in the same folder ("Loops") with the image files.



• Make sure that the files for the Java Applet have been extracted to the "loopcode2" folder. This folder MUST reside in the same subfolder with the "Loops" folder. Review Instruction #2 above for additional information.



• If you can not get a saved loop to work, contact the OPC for further information. Please provide as many pertinent details as possible.