I'm not fantastic with computers, so I've cut and pasted the Help section on the version I have installed. Hopefully it helps you!!
1. What is DING!
DING! is a free, stand-alone software application that delivers live updates from Southwest Airlines directly to your desktop. This eliminates the need to open your browser or check your e-mail. When DING! is installed, running, and connected on your PC (computer), DING! will automatically contact our servers periodically to check for the latest headlines and offers and then deliver them to you via the DING! application.
2. Checking if DING! is installed on your computer
Once installed, you will see the DING! icon, which is a Southwest Airlines plane tail, located in your system tray. The system tray is typically located at the bottom of your screen. If you have exited the DING! application, you can access it from your Start Menu under Programs -> Southwest Airlines.
3. Using DING!
Viewing Headlines and Offers - Click the icon in your system tray to launch the DING! application. There are two types of headlines, Featured and non Featured. Some headlines will link to supporting web pages and some headlines will stand alone. Simply click on the headlines that contain a link and a browser (e.g. Internet Explorer, Netscape) window will open and take you directly to the offer/details on southwest.com.
Using Navigation Buttons - You will notice seven buttons to the right of the headlines area and three buttons below the headlines. Clicking on one of the buttons to the right of the headlines will take you to that area on southwest.com. Clicking on southwest.com will take you directly to southwest.com. Clicking on Rapid Rewards will take you to the Rapid Rewards Online Login on southwest.com. Clicking on Refer a Friend will launch a dialog box with information on how to send your friends a link to download their own copy of the DING! application. The ten buttons are:
*Book Air
*Book Car
*Book Hotel
*Book Cruise
*Check In Online
*Check Flight Status
*Status Messaging
*southwest.com
*Rapid Rewards
*Refer a Friend
4. Checking if DING! is connected
If you launch the application window, you will notice a message in the bottom left corner of the application. The message or status will say either "Ready" or "Connection Error!" "Ready" indicates that the application is running and connected with no errors. "Connection Error!" indicates that you may be experiencing connection issues and may not be receiving the latest headlines. If you are having connection problems, you may notice a red exclamation point on top of the DING! icon located in your system tray (See example A below). To connect, right click on the DING! icon in your system tray and click on Connect Now (See example B below). Once a connection is established, the red exclaimation point should be removed from the DING! icon located in your system tray (See example C below). If you are still having connection problems, verify that you have a working internet connection, then view information below regarding firewalls and proxy servers.
5. Firewall issues
If you believe you are having firewall issues, please check your firewall configuration settings to verify you do not have the following blocked:
URLs: southwest.com; ding.southwest.com
6. Configure DING! to use proxy server
Some Internet Service Providers (ISP) and private networks use a proxy server to connect to the internet. If you are unsure if you require the use of a proxy server, please contact your system administrator or your ISP's technical support. To configure DING! to use a proxy server, right click on the DING! icon in your system tray and click on Proxy Server Settings (See example A below). Check "Use proxy server for this connection" and enter in the appropriate address and port number (See example B below). If you require a User ID and password for proxy access, you may also enter them here.
7. Updating registration information
You may update your registration by changing your "My Airports" selection or your zip code. You may also add your Rapid Rewards membership number. Once you launch the application, click on Update Registration located at the top of the application. You will be directed to a page on southwest.com that will allow you to make the appropriate changes.
8. Refer a Friend
Click the Refer a Friend button located at the bottom of the application. Once you click on that button, you will be taken to a page that will ask you for e-mail addresses for up to five of your friends. In addition, you may add a personal message. Once you click on the "Send E-mail" button, you will receive a confirmation page verfying the information you entered.
9. Audio Notifications
Your computer will make a DING! sound when live updates of new headlines are delivered to your PC. There are several reasons you may not hear the ding. You may not have a sound card or speakers installed on your computer, the volume on your computer may be down, you could have the mute indicator checked, and/or you may have the Audio Notifications on the DING! application disabled. To enable or disable audio notifications, right click on the DING! icon in your system tray and click on Enable Audio Notification. A check mark will display when Audio Notifications are enabled and will disappear when Audio Notifications are disabled.
10. Exiting the DING! application
If you want to exit the DING! application, right click on the DING! icon on your system tray and click on Exit. Note: If you exit the DING! application you will no longer receive live updates from Southwest Airlines at the time they are delivered. To start receiving the notifications again, simply go to your Start Menu and select Programs -> Southwest Airlines and click on DING!. You may also minimize the DING! application and send it to your task bar. Once the application has launched onto your desktop, click on the minimize button. Click on the "X" in the application window and the application will go back to the system tray. Clicking on the "X" will not exit the application.
11. Uninstalling DING! from your PC
The process to uninstall the DING! application from your computer is simple. The Windows Control Panel located on your computer should have an option to Add/Remove programs. Once you click on Add/Remove programs you will see a list of programs installed on your computer. DING! will be listed as one of those programs. Select DING! and then choose remove.
