This week I'll give you a couple of
tips for using your internet browser(s) with a little more savvy then usual.
When you install PostalCAD 2004 there will be an option for which internet
browser you want to default for the hyperlinks in the PostalCAD utilities
that use hyperlinks. Internet Explorer is a typical browser for most
users, but Netscape is also an option for others who are use to using it, or
as an alternative for Internet Explorer users.
Internet Explorer is a good option
for any media rich sites that contain sounds or animations. A
Google toolbar is available for
free from the Google site for
Internet Explorer that also includes a free popup blocker. After
installing the toolbar and setting the options I havn't had one popup yet!
Pop-ups be gone! There are several other useful tips for Internet
Explorer that I use all the time. The first is hitting the F11 key to
go full screen. Sometimes I want to increase the size of the page as
big as possible and remove the associated clutter that fills up 25% of my
screen. The second is to simply hold down the Shift key when selecting
a link to open a new window. Why use the Back button when you can
break the order of links by opening a new window? Don't forget to
Right-Click on entities, such as images, to offer up some options on what to
do with the item.
Now for the other browser that is
available as an option for the default browser in the PostalCAD install,
Netscape Navigator. This just happens to be my default browser and I
am using Netscape Navigator version 7.1. This browser has many
features that are similar to Internet Explorer, and several that are easier
or superior to those used in Internet Explorer. The most obvious
feature in Netscape is the use of personal toolbar pull-downs that can be
customized very easily with the Manage Bookmarks utility. This feature
allows all of your bookmarks to be in one file rather than a folder full of
bookmarks. Much easier to manage! Netscape also allows users to
open multiple tabs within the open application to view or download multiple
pages. No need to open multiple windows for more than one link, just
click on a tab and browse. Netscape already has a built in pop-up
blocker that can be set in the Preferences box. This matches the power
of the Google toolbar. Yes, the F11 key also changes the current tab
to be full screen without the clutter of toolbars etc. Most Mac users
are familiar with Netscape, it's the default browser for them. If you
right-click in a page that uses frames you will have the option to open the
individual frame in it's own window. Internet Explorer will not allow
that.
There are a few draw backs to Netscape however. Some media intensive
sites are not as reliable. Windows Media player is the default in
Internet Explorer and works quite well compared to most plug-ins in
Netscape. Some utilities such as Buzzsaw will only work in Internet
Explorer. Hopefully a future version of Buzzsaw will allow use of
Netscape.
Overall, I can easily say to use
both as needed, no clear winner or looser today.
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