Phytopia: Frequently Asked Questions

We hope you are enjoying Phytopia: Discovery of the Marine Ecosystem.

To enhance your experience, we would like to share some Frequently Asked Questions and other user tips. You can click on a topic button below, or browse through the entire list of questions and answers by scrolling down. If you can't find an answer to your question here, please send your question to us at phytopia@bigelow.org.

General Questions

I just received Phytopia. Do you have any recommendations for where I should begin?

One way to start exploring the CD is through the tutorials. You can access them from the "Tutorials" button on the bottom left corner of the main menu screen. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also jump right into Phytopia by clicking on "PhytoFiles" or "PhytoFactors."

At what grade level is Phytopia geared?

Phytopia was originally designed for use in undergraduate classes. However, many educators have found that it provides an exciting and interactive learning experience appropriate for Grades 7 and higher. In fact, ideas for use in middle- and high-school classrooms are available at our "Classroom Ideas" page.

I'm confused by your "bulk order" policy: is it $1.95 per CD as long I order a minimum of 15?

No, because then it would be less expensive to order 15 CDs than 14! For orders greater than 15 CDs, shipping for each CD above 15 is $1.95. In other words, CDs #1 - #15 are priced according the destination country; CDs #16, #17, #18, etc. are priced at $1.95, no matter where they're being sent.

May I use individual images from Phytopia for non-profit educational purposes?

Yes, but you need to acknowledge the original source of each image. Contact <phytopia@bigelow.org> with specific inquiries.

In the "Phyto Files" module, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences has the copyright to almost every epifluorescence image, 10x, 20x, 40x, and 100x image, and "In Action" animations. Copyright for the 3-D plankton models is held by California Institute of Technology. Exceptions are indicated by text in the lower right part of the "Phyto Files'" viewing screen. For "SEM" and "Extra" Images, many of the copyrights are held by others: click here (.pdf format) for a list that shows who owns the copyright to specific images and animations.

In the "Phyto Factors" module, most of the data maps are from NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). Exceptions to this include nutrient data maps from NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and images in the "View Data Sets: Regional Presentations."

May we put Phytopia onto a network for use by several students in a computer lab?

Yes, you can freely use Phytopia for this educational purpose.

I have Mac OSX, why does Phytopia run in "Classic" mode?

At the time of Phytopia's development, the software used was not compatible with Mac OSX; this is why it runs in Classic Mac mode. We're planning to make Phytopia OSX-compatible in the future.

I'm using Phytopia in my classroom, and I'd like to be able to turn the sound off for some activities. Is there a way to do this?

Yes, you can turn the sound on and off from the "Menu" button (like the one to the right). It is located either at the top or the bottom right corner of the Phytopia window (depending on which screen you are viewing).

When the CD starts up, I get a "Director Player Error" that reads "Script Error. Continue?". Is there something wrong with my CD?

You need to have QuickTime™ version 3.0 or higher installed on your computer. QuickTime™ version 5.0 is included on Phytopia, so you can install it from the CD, or you can install the latest version of the free software from the QuickTime™ website.

Clicking "NO" on the "Script Error. Continue?" message will cause you to quit Phytopia. Selecting "YES" will advance you to the Main Menu (but you won't be able to see any of the animations on the CD).

Is there a way that I can adjust the size of the Phytopia window?

No, sorry. The Phytopia window is not adjustable.

Questions on PhytoFiles

What does "SEM" stand for on the "SEM View" button?

SEM stands for Scanning Electron Microscopy. SEM is used to show the detailed outer structure of very tiny objects, like phytoplankton.

Whenever you see a question mark , you can click on it to read more about the topic, technique or data type that you are viewing.

When I click on a question mark I get an error message. What's wrong?

You probably don't have a recent version of Adobe® Reader® installed on your computer. To view the PDF files that open when you click on a question mark, you need to have Adobe® Reader® version 3.0 or higher installed. Adobe® Reader® version 5.0 is included on Phytopia, so you can install it from the CD, or you can install the latest version of the free software from the Adobe® website.

Why can't I select 100x magnification for Corethron sp.?

Not all types of images are available for all species. Only the buttons that glow when you drag your cursor over them are active for the species you are observing.

Is there a way that I can view more of the image in the microscope viewer?

You can do three things. First, you can "grab" the image in the microscope viewer and move it around (click and drag with your cursor). Another option is that you can move the image in the viewer by clicking on the arrow buttons to the right of the viewer. A third option that is available is the "+" button (like the one to the right). This button is located below arrow buttons outside of the microscope viewer. Clicking on this button will show you a full window image of the plankton in the viewer.

When I click the "In Action" button, the "microscope viewer" is black and I get a "Director Player Error" which reads "Script Error. Continue?". Is there something wrong with my computer?

Clicking "NO" on the "Script Error. Continue?" message will cause you to quit Phytopia. Selecting "YES" will allow you to click on another images to view (but you won't be able to see any of the animations on the CD).

Questions on PhytoFactors

What does "PAR" stand for on the "PAR" button?

PAR stands for Photosynthetically Active Radiation. PAR is the portion of the sun's light that phytoplankton can use for photosynthesis.

Whenever you see a question mark , you can click on it to read more about the topic, technique or data type that you are viewing.

When I click on a question mark I get an error message. What's wrong?

When the "PhytoFactors Intro" movies begin, I see a black box and get a "Director Player Error" which reads "Script Error. Continue?". Is there something wrong with my computer?

Clicking "NO" on the "Script Error. Continue?" message will cause you to quit Phytopia. If you select "YES" for the pop-up window, you will see a second error message. If you select "YES" for the second message, you will advance to the PhytoFactors menu (but you won't be able to see any of the animations on the CD).

I'm using Phytopia in my classroom, and I'd like to be able to pause the movies at certain points so we can incorporate some discussion. Is there a way to do this?

You have a couple of options for controlling the PhytoFactors Introduction Movies. There are movie control buttons located directly beneath the movie screen. These buttons will (from left to right) take you back to the first frame, rewind frame by frame, play, forward frame by frame, and pause. In addition, there are movie control buttons located beneath the movie text screen. These buttons allow you to move ahead or back to other subsections of the movie.

You can always skip any movie completely by clicking on the "Next" button in the bottom right corner of the Phytopia window.

Is there a way to skip a Phytopia movie?

You can always skip any movie completely by clicking on the "Next" button in the bottom right corner of the Phytopia window.

Questions on Special Topics

I was showing my students Phytopia, but when I selected "Special Topics" from the Main Menu, I got an error message. What's wrong?

All that means is that you weren't connected to the Internet. "Special Topics" takes you to our Phytopia Special Topics webpage (http://www.bigelow.org/phytopia) where we are always posting innovative and exciting new educational products. Just select "Special Topics" the next time you are connected to the Internet to explore more interactive phytoplankton sites.