FirstClass FAQ 
What is FirstClass?
FirstClass is a software (programme) used by ETUI-REHS Education to enable its members to engage in distance learning but also communicate amongst themselves. With FirstClass you can send and receive e-mails in your mailbox and exchange and file documents (texts, pictures, files). You can also participate in "conferences" which are forums where an animator posts courses (Powerpoint, PDF, Word documents, etc.) which you can discuss. It is very easy to keep contact with the tutors and other learners of a course you attended.
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Why should I use FirstClass?
You should use FirstClass because it is an easy way to exchange documents, messages and experiences. It requires a short training, as with any other new programme you want to use, but you will see that it will be easier to file documents and have discussions with each other with this system. There will be no more lost e-mails in your mailbox.
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How does FirstClass work?
FirstClass is easy to use. You can either access it via the ETUI-REHS Education website (the virtual campus button) or by downloading and installing the programme from the Internet. The downloaded program has more options than the website programme, and both are easy to use. By using the website programme, you can of course access FirstClass from any computer in the world.
You will receive a user ID (such as your name) and a password. You'll need to remember them to sign in. Once you have entered the programme, you will be able to go to your mailbox and read your e-mails, you will have access to a calendar, you can create an address book and you will be able to enter the specific "conferences" (discussion topics or courses) in which you are interested. You need to ask ETUI-REHS Education for permission to enter the conferences or discussion topics. Just send an email via your FirstClass mailbox or any other email system, and the permission will be given to you. Please note that you need to be approved by the animator of a discussion topic or conference before being given the credentials.
example of desktop
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Is FirstClass free?
The FirstClass programme, also known as FirstClass Client is free of charge and available in many languages.
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Where can I find/download the "Client"?
You can download the latest FirstClass client (version 7) in US English for PC on the FirstClass web site (Centrinity web site). You can download another version (e.g. Mac) or language.
You can also download the Client from ETUI-REHS Education website
System requirements for the Client:
PC: minimum 4 Mb RAM, 4 Mb diskspace (full installation), Win 95 or later
Mac: minimum: 10 Mb RAM, 8 Mb diskspace, Mac OS system 7.1 or higher
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In what languages is the Client available?
Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish.
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How do I install the Client?
Download the Client from the ETUI-REHS Education website or from Centrinity.
Save the file on your desktop or in whatever place you like.
When done, doubleclick the downloaded exe-file.
Follow the guidance on the screen and very soon you'll have it properly installed.
You can also read the instructions for installation (Word-format) but they are for the moment only in English.
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Should I access FirstClass through my web-browser or the Client?
It is your choice but you should be aware of the differences:
Web-browser (often Internet Explorer or Netscape): FirstClass works a little slowly and not all functions are available. Download or installation is not necessary, just point your browser directly to the ETUI-REHS Education FirstClass site: www.conf.etude.org/login
With the Client you have all the functions of FirstClass and you have fast access to it. But you must install the Client and configure it before you can use it.
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I cannot download or install First Class Client on my computer!
Sometimes downloading a programme from the Internet proves difficult, for example if you have a slow Internet connection. If you cannot download the "Client", please contact and we will send it to you on a CD-ROM (please advise if you are using a PC, a Mac, what version of Windows you are using, what language you need).
Once you have downloaded the programme from the Internet and saved it on your computer (don't forget in what directory you saved it!), install the programme by clicking on it twice (the programme name will be something like "FC.....EXE"). Let the computer install it.
If your computer refuses to install it, it means that your system is protected by a firewall or that your association doesn't want you to install unknown programmes. Please ask your IT department to fix the problem or contact .
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I can't log in with the Client, why?
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There can be many reasons. Here are some of them:
1. You have not specified the FirstClass ETUI-REHS Education server.
You must type www.conf.etude.org in the server box of the Service Setup-window.
Confirm with the Save-button in the right corner.
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2. If you are trying to connect to FirstClass from a network you might be behind a firewall which is a barrier to control the flow of information to and from the network. If this is the case, contact the network administrator (your IT department) who normally solves the problem by opening port 510 in the firewall. The error message looks like this:
3. If you are working on a computer at home you must be connected to Internet before trying to log in. If you're not connected you will also have the error message above.
4. Your user id or password (or both) are not correct. Check your spelling and try again. If it still does not work, contact the ETUI-REHS Education support team or your tutor for help.
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I don't have access to a conference or to a subconference
Once you are logged in and have had access to your mailbox, you may find that you cannot see the icon of a conference or that you don't have access to a sub-conference (you are asked again for your password or you get a message saying that you are not authorised). Please send an email to and explain what your problem is. You will be answered in a few hours.
Another reason might be that you also may have by mistake been excluded from the conference. Contact your tutor for help.
example of a conference screen
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I cannot download the attachments
The process of downloading attachments can be different whether you are using the ETUI-REHS Education website or your own FirstClass Client.
On the web site, if you cannot download an attachment by clicking on it, try and click with the RIGHT mouse button and save the attachment in the directory of your choice using the command "save target as".
By default, it would be saved in the directory C:/download (this of course depends on the settings of your computer).
In First Class Client, when you save an attachment (without using the right mouse button), it goes by default to the following directory C:/Program Files/FirstClass/Download. Remember to have a look there when you think you have lost an attachment.
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I cannot login, my password is replaced by a long line of stars
When you are sure on your ID and password and cannot login because your password seems to have changed into a long line of stars, it might mean that you are not using the latest version of the FirstClass Client. Simply download and install the latest one and fill the "setup" in the new one with the server name, your ID and password, and it will work again.
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I have forgotten my password or my user ID
If you cannot remember your password or user ID, please send an email to , explaining your problem. It will be fixed in a few hours.
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How do I fill the setup screen once I have installed FirstClass Client?
Once the Client is installed on your computer, open the programme and fill in the "Setup".
The server name is www.conf.etude.org.
Also fill in your user ID and password. Leave the rest blank and keep what is written by default.
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Where can I have support on ETUI-REHS Education FirstClass?
There are several ways to get in touch with the ETUI-REHS Education support team:
1. Write an e-mail to support@etude.org and describe your problem
2. Telephone: +32 (0)2 224 05 30
3. Use the questionnaire from the ETUI-REHS Education website:
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