Spark and SparkRef

SparkRef is the instant messaging client that L-net is using to provide live chat reference to Oregonians and IM collaboration between Oregon libraries. Please note that we use a custom version. The original, Spark, was created by Jive Software and released as an open source tool.

Requirements

SparkRef requires Java 6.

To see what version of Java you have on Windows, go to Start Menu -> Settings -> Control Panel then opening Java. Click 'About'. In the fine print below the logo it should say 'Version x Update y'

Download SparkRef

Linux - with bundled JRE
Macintosh
Windows - with bundled JRE (Recommended)
Windows - without bundled JRE

Windows 7 administrators may like our Guide to Installing SparkRef on Windows 7.

The Spark client is now called SparkRef version 1.1.1. The old version of Spark will not work properly with the new server software.

Installing

To install SparkRef, download the installer for your operating system from the link above and run it.

Firewalls

Please make sure your firewall or internet filter allows outgoing traffic on TCP/IP ports 5222, 9090 and 8080 to the server chat.answerland.org. This allows your computer to connect to the chat server and to assign resolution codes.

Settings

server: chat.knowitnow.org

Practice

When you are logged into the practice workgroup, you can submit practice questions at www.oregonlibraries.net/chat/practice.

Documentation and Support

Most problems with SparkRef can be solved by deleting your Spark folder. This folder contains settings about the program that sometimes get out of whack.

On Windows, your Spark folder will be at C:\Documents and Settings\\Spark.

On Macintosh, your Spark folder will be in Home -> -> Spark.

Delete the whole folder - it will not affect the application, but it will erase any settings and your saved password.

For more information, the L-net Spark guide is a good place to start for information about how to use SparkRef.

Our partner, Ohio's KnowItNow service, has a short list of Common problems with Spark as well as a list of related topics about Using the Spark Client.

Linux issues

One issue has been reported on Linux systems running the Gnome 3 environment.

Setting Spark to auto-start hides the application and makes it inaccessible to you.

To prevent this,

1. Make sure Spark is not running
2. Edit the spark.properties file located in $HOME/.spark.
3. Find the key=> value startHidden=true and change it to startHidden=false.
4. Save and run Spark.