Connecting to STS-CS 5.0

1. Go to thesubservice.net and click on the link for STS-CS, or click here.
   
   
2. If you are given the opportunity to "Open" or "Run", do so.  If only a "Save" or "Download" option is available, do that to your desktop and double-click the downloaded file (stscs.jnlp).
   
   Note: Internet Explorer will sometimes just open the file without asking.
   
   Error Resolution: If double-clicking the dowloaded file does not work (you get an "Open With" dialog), right-click the file and choose the "Launch" option.  If there is no "Launch" option, Java needs to be installed or re-installed on your computer.  Please contact STS support in that case... resolving Java launch problems are not usually difficult.
   
   
3. You will see a "Java Loading" splash screen, which typically displays for about 15 seconds.  No user interaction is required.
   
   Error Resolution: If you get an error in this or the next step, please note the error and contact STS support.  It is likely that Java needs to be intalled, re-installed, or configured on your computer, although there are other reasons errors can happen at this stage.  STS support will know hoe to deal with it.
   
   
4. The splash screen is followed by a window that shows the download process (from Java, not your browser).  That process typically takes about 15 seconds as well.  No user interaction is required.
   
   Error Resolution: If you get an error, please note the error and contact STS support.
   
   
5. The Java system may ask you if you want to place an icon to STS-CS on your desktop.  You may answer as you desire.
   
   If you answer No, you will need to run STS-CS from the same web link as in step 1.  If you answer Yes, you may later put the icon elsewhere if you wish, or just leave it on the desktop.
   
   Note: Sometimes the icon is just created without asking, depending on how Java has been set up on your computer.
   
   
6. The download window is followed by a yellow "STS-CS" splash screen, which reports on progress made connecting to STS (Key Distribution Center or KDC, Controller, and Database).  This window can take from 10 to 20 seconds or so before an STS-CS login dialog is shown.  No user interaction is required until the login dialog appears.
   
   Error Resolution: If you get an error, note the error and call STS support.  STS-CS opens certain Internet (socket) ports to the STS servers which may be blocked by anti-virus software, or firewall software or hardware.  These configuration issues are generally resolved easily.
   
   
7. For the STS-CS login, you should have received a login name, initial password, and instructions on how to proceed.
   
   
8. For subsequent executions of STS-CS, whether via the browser or the desktop icon, step 4 above occurs much faster.  The system at that point checks if any of the previously downloaded Java files need updating and only downloads that which is necessary to bring your system up to date.
   
   All other processes take about the same amount of time, sometimes less, depending on overall Internet and LAN traffic.  The fastest load time experienced to date is about 20 seconds from double-click to login dialog (from remote locations).