OVERVIEW

TryOSS by Standing Cloud is a web-based application that allows you to quickly and easily try a variety of open source software applications on different cloud computing services. The list of supported applications is updated regularly. We have streamlined the process so that you don’t have to download or install anything on your computer!

It’s really easy.  You don’t need to read these instructions to get started, just register and it will be obvious what to do.  It only takes about 60 seconds to get an application running.

But just in case you want to read about it anyway, here are the detailed steps to getting your first application running in the cloud:

1. Register for an account, and provide your preferred email address and a password.
2. An email will be sent to the address you provided. Click on the link in the email, which will bring your browser to the TryOSS login screen.
3. Log in using the same email address and the password you provided.
4. TryOSS will show you a list of supported open source applications. Click on the icon of the application you want to install. Be sure to scroll down the list if you don’t immediately see what you are looking for!
5. TryOSS will show you a list of supported cloud hosting services. Click on the icon of the service you want to use. The application should run the same regardless of the service you select, but we thought you might like to see the cloud services we support. If you don’t care which service is used, click on “Choose for me.”
6. TryOSS will ask you to confirm the installation. Click “Yes” to proceed and “No” to cancel and return to the selection process.
7. TryOSS now obtains a cloud computer system for you and installs the software you requested. Generally, you will see “Installing” in the status bar almost immediately. However, if there are no free servers available, it will need to start a new one. In this case the process will take a bit longer.
8. Once the software has been installed, the status changes to “Running” and the “Launch Application” and “Terminal” buttons become available. Click “Launch Application” to continue. A new tab will open on your browser, pointed at your custom domain name for this application.

Any applications you install are saved as part of your account. You can access your existing installations either upon logging in or by clicking on the “Home” button in the upper right corner of the page. You can install additional new applications from this page by clicking the “Install New Application” button as well. Clicking on any existing installation will redirect you a page where you can elect to run or otherwise manage that installation. From here, you have the option to run the application or its associated terminal, or to:

• save: The save option not only saves your installation and data in its current state, but also shuts down the cloud server on which it is running. This simply means that the application is not actively running on a service, but it is available to be restored and resume running where you left off.
• shut down: The shut down option will not save your current state, but it will instead merely shut down the server on which it is running. Restoring the installation reverts back to the last time you actually saved it.
• restore: The restore option will start the application on the selected cloud service once again. It will resume from the last saved state.
• delete: The delete option will remove your installation entirely.

Active installations will be saved and shut down automatically after a period of inactivity.

Every page of TryOSS has a “Help” button in the upper right corner. If you get stuck, please click that button for additional information. Additionally, most button operations have tool tips available if you hover your cursor over the button. Finally, each TryOSS page also has a “Logout” button in the upper right corner, if you wish to end your session. By logging out of TryOSS, all your running installations will be saved and the computer system shut down.