GBdirect's XML On-Site Training Courses: software and logistical requirements

Hardware Requirements

To teach the onsite version of a XML course we will require:

• Suitably equipped workstations, with a strong preference for one per student.
• One fairly large work space per student (enough to accomodate folders, notepads and text books, etc. alongside the workstation
• A dry-wipe whiteboard and pens, or flip chart, or similar. Most of our trainers prefer landscape format whiteboards
• An SVGA projector is not an absolute requirement, but strongly recommended. Please let us know well in advance if you are unable to source or book one.
• Internet access is extremely useful, though not essential

Software Requirements

In the past we have worked with Unix/Linux based platforms and those from Microsoft; either works perfectly well. We will, however, want to know in advance which operating system you will be using.

We will need the following software available on the workstations the students are to use:

• The most up to date web browser available. On Windows, you must use version 6 of Microsoft Internet Explorer; it can display XML in a helpful format, and can operate as an XSLT processor.
• On Microsoft Windows, install XML Spy. When our XML courses are taught under Windows, we use XML Spy for most of the practical exercises (particularly for working with Schemas, XSLT, and XSL-FO). It is available on a no-cost ‘evaluation license’ for thirty days.
• Sun Microystems’ Java runtime environment.
• The XSL-FO print formatter FOP extension for XML-Spy, on Windows platforms.

Mozilla Web Browser

Mozilla is now our preferred Unix/Linux browser. If you are using it, please ensure you have the latest stable version possible (check the previous link).

Course Schedule

Our typical daily schedule for in-house courses is fairly intensive, and runs as follows:

• 9.30 Session 1
• 11.00 Mid-morning break
• 11.15 Session 2
• 12.45 Lunch
• 13.30 Session 3
• 15.00 Mid-afternoon break
• 15.15 Session 4
• 16.30 End of formal teaching, though our trainer will typically stay until approx 5 PM if wanted.

If you are organising an on-site course It will help us very much if you can inform us of the appropriate

• Contact Name
• Contact Number
• Start Time

— in the past we have had experienced trainers arriving at security or reception, where all knowledge of the course is denied!