UW Emerge Client for Mac OS/X

Introduction

Emerge is one of several technologies the University of Waterloo will use to distribute messages in the event of an emergency.

The emerge client program runs on client computers and keeps in contact with central servers.  In the event of an emergency, an authorized person submits a message to be displayed on clients screens.  In seconds, emerge servers distribute that message to emerge clients and the client systems automatically pop up a web browser to display the message.

A client version is available for Macintoshes. 

Installation

The latest version of the client can be found on the web, you will need this file:

Intel Mac
PowerPC Mac

Open the zip file to create the package, then open the package to install the necessary files.

The next step is to tell your Mac to start the program every time you log in.  Pick apple icon | System Preferences | Accounts | Login Items and add /Applications/emergestart.app

Press the lock icon to save the settings.

Verifying Emerge Works

Log out then log back in.  You may spot the program running for an instant, but it disappears in less than a second and goes into the background.

Open a web browser and go to http://emerge.uwaterloo.ca  You will have to supply some login credentials.  Then send a test message to yourself.   After pressing send, your preferred web browser should start up and the test message will be displayed.

If that worked, your system is installed correctly and it will display emergency messages as they are released.

 If the test failed, emerge is not installed correctly.