SOS Explorer® Set Up Options

SOS Explorer® can be used in many different set ups depending on your needs. It can be used on a personal computer or mobile device for individual exploration, it can be set up to be displayed on a large screen or projector for guided presentations or group observations, or it can be set up as an exhibit with a large display and kiosk to allow audiences to explore on their own. Below are the details about the equipment needed for each option. Find manuals and videos on the Support page.

• Individual Exploration Equipment Requirements
• Large Display Equipment Requirements
• Kiosk Exhibit Set up Equipment Requirements
• Configuration Setting for Two Screens

For individual exploration you can view SOS Explorer® either on a Windows computer or a mobile device. If your Apple or Android mobile device is incompatible with the software, you will get a warning message when you try to install the software. When using SOS Explorer® on your Windows computer, it should meet the minimum specs below. If your computer doesn’t meet the minimum specs, the software will still install, but performance will be poor.

• Windows personal computer (laptop or desktop) that is not more than 5-7 years old (as of 2024)
• At least 6 GB of disk space (up to 176 GB depending on the datasets that you select during the installation)
• At least 8 GB of RAM

A variety of Windows desktops and laptops will successfully run SOS Explorer®. You can review the minimum recommended specifications in the SOSx Computer and Configuration Options Guide.

A large display is best to show SOS Explorer® in the classroom or to a group of learners; however, it is entirely optional and will work just fine on your laptop or PC for casting or sharing your screen in a video call. For a large display, either a television, or a projector can be used. In this setup, the mouse and keyboard are used to control the software, so an additional touchscreen is not required.

You will need a cable to connect the computer to your large display. In most cases this will be an HDMI or DVI cable.

For the interactive setup, you will need everything you need for the simple two-screen setup, plus an additional touchscreen and the cabling required to connect. If you are planning to use a 4k display, a computer with a powerful graphics card will be needed. To better understand your options, please review this SOSx Computer and Configuration Options Guide. If you are looking to acquire a fully supported public exhibit, we recommend contacting sos.explorer@noaa.gov for distributor details.

A variety of Windows desktops and laptops will successfully run SOS Explorer® in a dual screen mode. The graphics requirements for dual screen mode are higher, so a more powerful computer and graphics card are needed compared to the single screen mode.

The type and size of the large display is up to you! Either a large television or a projector can be used. 4K Ultra HD resolution is recommended, but not required.

The type and size of the touchscreen is up to you! It can be part of a kiosk that houses the computer as well, or simply mounted on a table or to the floor. A touchscreen rated for public use is recommended for high traffic settings such as museums.

A collection of cables will need to be ordered for the set up of the SOSx exhibit. Check the simple wiring diagram for the dual screen setup to see how the above parts connect and the cables that are required. Make sure to order the appropriate length based on the layout of your space. If the DVI cable becomes too long, a DVI extender will also be needed. Consult with the SOSx team on any questions you have.

When projecting on a large display, you have two options for how the software will be shown. You can mirror the display so that the projected display matches what is shown on the computer, or you can do a two-screen extended display where the user interface and navigation is shown only on the computer and the large display is a simplified view for a cleaner experience.