To Get Origin on your computer, a hardwired connection is preferred. Wireless can take MUCH longer.

First, download the Keyserver client

1. Visit this link in Internet Explorer (not Foxfire): http://download.nmu.edu/winfiles/utils/K2Client.exe
2. Select Open, wait while Keyserver prepares to install.
3. Under “Host DNS Name” change “Keyserver” to “keysrvr.nmu.edu” Important: Note spelling.
4. Click NEXT, NEXT, INSTALL
5. Click FINISH

Then, download Origin

1. Visit this link in Internet Explorer (not Foxfire): http://www-instruct.nmu.edu/mpaulsen/download/Origin60msi.exe
2. Select Run (twice)
3. Click Next
4. Select Accept Agreement and click Next
5. Click Install and then Finish (after a few seconds on wired connection or many minutes on wireless)

To Run Origin:

You must be connected to the Internet, either on campus, via dial-up or cable modem/DSL

Press Start->MicroCal Software INC->Origin->Origin 6.0

Program should open.

Failure to open indicates network connection problem or Keyclient problem.

To Graph on Origin:

The easiest way to graph is to enter data so that A(X) is the independent data and B(Y) is the dependent data. Then highlight the B(Y) column and under the Plot heading select scatter. (you almost always want a scatter plot initially to see what your data looks like)

The second easiest way to graph (especially if you do math calculations using origin) is to not highlight any of the columns and under the Plot heading click on scatter. You then can choose which column you want to use for X and which you want to use for Y. Click on the Add button and then Click on the OK button to Graph.

Doing Calcs using Origin (the fun begins)

First off you need to add more columns. To do this, click on the Column heading, and scroll down to Add New Columns. Add as many as you need.

To do calculations (especially repetitive ones you don’t want to do by hand), Highlight one of your new columns. Then under the Column heading you want to select “Set Column Values”. For Simple Calculations such as addition/subtraction/multiplication/division you can type the equation in the box. When it comes time to insert values from another column into the equation go to the second scroll down box, highlight the appropriate column, and then click the Add Column button. For more complex math use the functions provided on the scroll down menu, being sure to click the add function button after selecting the function you want (an example of a function is taking the natural log, ln, of something). When the equation in the text box is what you want or expect click the OK button.

Analyzing your Scatter plot: Adding lines and stuff…

Under Analysis heading, select the method of analysis you want to apply (i.e. Fit Linear)

A line and a Results log should be displayed. TEACHERS appreciate it if you copy the results log onto the graph. The easiest way to do that is by using control+c (copy) and control+v (paste). To change the font size (because it will be huge) double click on the new text box and you should be allowed to edit it.

Making your Graph Pretty:

To add a title you need to create a text box. To do that, click on the big T button located a couple rows under the word headings. Then click on the graph and a box with the name Text Control will open. Type out your title and then click OK. You can move the text box where you want it on your graph by clicking and dragging. Always use a title.

To label your axis click on the words “X (or Y) Axis title” on the graph. You will get a box similar to the Text Control box. Make sure to include units in your Axis Label.

To change the scale of the tick marks on the axis double click on the actual line of the axis on the graph. You can toggle through the tabs and change the scale and tick marks and make whatever changes you would like that makes your graph easier to read, uncluttered, and easily understandable. Make sure your graph doesn’t include any dubious information such as negative time or negative quantities. (some people don’t like that)