HELP

          Advice for the Newcomer
           Library searches using Telnet
           Downloading files from MRF
           Using Adobe Acrobat
           Mailing MRF
           Error messages on the Web


Advice for Newcomer to the Forum

The Forum is best viewed through Microsoft Intenet Explorer 3.0 or Netscape Navigator 3.0 or later versions of these two browsers. This site has been designed to be viewed on a 800 by 600 pixel screen size.

The Forum's aim is to facilitate an interdisciplinary approach to dealing with issues and problems related to mineral resource exploitation and sustainable development. In view of this aim, the Forum is structured simply, information is organised under the 12 main subject headings. Links are provided at the bottom of a subject and it's associated subsections pages, to all other subject areas. Each subject is clearly titled and each subsection is clearly headed with the Forum subject matter and the sub-section title. Should you get lost when navigating through the Forum, links are provided to the Forum Home page, this Help page and the Search page on the title header of all Forum pages. Links to other pages and documents are made visible by your pointing device or mouse icon changing to a hand with pointed finger icon as it passes over a piece of text or an image that is a link. All used links are colored pink. You can use your browser's Forward and Back button to return to previously visited pages. Use the scroll bar on the right hand side of the screen or 'Page Up' and 'Page Down' keyboard keys to move up and down a page. Should you need to leave the Forum don't forget to bookmark Forum or take note of the Forum URL (Uniform Resource Locator) which is http://www.natural-resources.org/minerals so that you can return to this site.

Library catalogue searches using Telnet

'Telnet' is short for 'telephone networking', it allows you to connect to and use other computers remotely from your computer. In order that your computer and keyboard provide the same functions as the computer system you are connected to, your computer must 'emulate' the host computer. This is done by downloading software called an 'emulator'. Instructions on where to find and how to download the required emulator are found with each library catalogue listed within the Forum. Each library catalogue on the Forum may require a different 'emulator'. It will be worthwhile creating a file to save all the emulators you require. You only need to download and save the emulator once. You then select the correct emulator through your browser every time you wish to use a library catalogue facility. The selected telnet emulator program will then open when you click on the library hyperlink.

Selecting an emulator through your browser:

• NETSCAPE 3.*: Open up 'Option' on your header menu and select 'General Preferences', click on the 'Apps' tab. Enter the name of the emulator you require in the 'Telnet Application' box. You can use the browse facility to find and apply the correct emulator. Press the OK button to save your selection. You can use this method to apply the correct emulator whenever you wish to use a library search facility.

• INTERNET EXPLORER: Open up View on your browser menu, select Options and choose the Programs tab, click on 'File Types...' button in 'viewer' section. 'Under Registered File Types' scroll down to and select 'URL Telnet protocol' press 'Edit' button. This will take you to the 'Edit File Types' window, click on 'Edit' button. You should now be in 'Editing Action for Type: Telnet Protocol' window. Use the browse facility to find and select the emulator you require, input it into 'Application Used to Perform Action' box and press 'OK'. Return to main browser window by pressing 'Close' or 'OK' on all previous windows. Repeat this procedure whenever you require a different emulator to use the library catalogue you require.

When using a telnet program from within a network you may find that you have to make an initial telnet connection to the network gateway. Your network administrator, internet service provider or webmaster will be able to tell what the telnet address for the network gateway is. Once you are connected to the gateway or server you can use the telnet address provided in the library details to connect to the library database and carry out your search.

Whenever you are using a Telnet session you should follow the instructions that appear on your screen from the host service. Providing that you are using the correct emulator, key commands displayed on the screen will work from your own computer.

Downloading Files From the Forum

The Forum contains files created by familiar PC software (such as WordPerfect and Word word processing packages, and Excel and Lotus spreadsheet packages). You can download all these files form the Forum and open them with the required software at a later stage. Alternatively, you may want to view the document first before downloading it. To either download or open a Forum file you must configure the browser to recognize a file type, and if you want to view the file, start the required software. This can be done easily, just follow the instruction below for a Netscape or Internet Explorer browser.

File Types contained in the Forum.

.

Netscape:

• Click on "Options" from tool bar.

• Double click on "General preferences"

• From top of "Preferences" menu click on "Helpers"

• On the screen you will see a button "Create New Mime Type." Click on button

• A small window called "Configure New Mime Type" will appear In box for "Mime Type" type in "Applications" In the box for "Sub Mime Type" type in the file document extension. (eg .xls for excel spreadsheets)

• Click on "Ok" in the small window. You will now see the new information appear in the "Helpers " window

• While still in the "Helpers" window type the file extension the "File Extension" box

• Make sure that the "Action" box is set to "Save to "Disk" or "Open" if you want to start the application.

• If you choose "open" as the action, use the browse facility to register the software application required to open the file type.

• Click on "Ok"

Internet Explorer:

• Click on View from toolbar menu.

• Click on Options and select Programs tab.

• In viewers section click on File Types button

• Select file type and press Edit button.

• Ensure:

Description of Type: Name of software application used with specified file type.
Content Type (MIME): application/enter file extension (eg .xls for excel spreadsheets)
Default Extension: enter file extension (eg .xls for excel spreadsheets)
.Action: open

Click on OK

• If File Type does not exist then:
  Click on New Type button, select icon of your choice

• Ensure that the Add New File section is completed as follows:

Description of Type: Enter name of software application
Associated extension: .Enter file extension
Content Type (MIME): Enter "application/file extension"
Default Extension: .Enter file extension
.Action: open

Downloading MRF Text Documents Using Adobe Acrobat

Text documents are stored on the Forum server in .PDF (Portable Document Format) form, to make it as easy as possible for the you to download a document in its original form. However to be able to use PDF formatted documents the user has to download and save ADOBE ACROBAT.To download adobe acrobat click on the link "ADOBE ACROBAT" this takes you to the Adobe Acrobat Web page. Follow the downloading instructions on this page. Once you have downloaded and saved the Adobe Acrobat reader software, you must tell your browser where to find the Adobe Acrobat Reader software and to use this software to display .pdf formatted documents. To do this in:

Netscape 3:

• Click on "Options" from tool bar.

• Double click on "General preferences"

• From top of "Preferences" menu click on "Helpers"

• On the screen you will see a button "Create New Mime Type." Click on button

• A small window called "Configure New Mime Type" will appear In box for "Mime Type" type in "Applications" In the box for "Sub Mime Type" type in ".pdf" .

• Click on "Ok" in the small window. You will now see the new information appear in the "Helpers " window

• While still in the "Helpers" window type ".pdf" in the "File Extension" box

• Make sure that the "Action" box the "Launch the Application" button is checked.

• Use the browse facility to find and record the pathname for the Adobe Acrobat Reader software that you downloaded.

• Click on "Ok"

Internet Explorer

• Click on View from toolbar menu.

• Click on Options and select Programs tab.

• In viewers section click on File Types button

• Select Adobe Acrobat Document and press Edit button.

• Ensure:

Description of Type: Adobe Acrobat Reader
Content Type (MIME): application/.pdf
Default Extension: .pdf
.Action: open

Click on OK

• If File Type Adobe Acrobat Document does not exist then:
  Click on New Type button, select icon of your choice

• Ensure that the Add New File section is completed as follows:

Description of Type: Adobe Acrobat Reader
Associated extension: .pdf
Content Type (MIME): application/.pdf
Default Extension: .pdf
.Action: open

Click on OK

Download the document you require from the MRF.

Mailing the Forum

To mail the MRF Click on the MINERALS.FORUM@UNCTAD.ORG link. This will bring up a mailing box in your browser with the e-mail address of the Forum already completed. Type your comments in the box, attach any file that you want to send to Forum and press Send. If you are working form a networked computer that uses a dedicated E-mail program rather than your browsers E-mail facility. Then address your mail via the internet, to minerals.forum@unctad.org.

Error Messages While Using the World Wide Web

You will no doubt encounter error messages while using the World Wide Web. As a result you may encounter error messages when attempting to visit other web sites listed in the MRF. Common error messages are:

• "Browser canĄt find server":- This is an ambiguous error message that may be caused by many things. However, if you consistently get this error message when attempting to use a link in the MRF, E-mail the MRF webmaster informing him which link is causing this error. The webmaster will then check the URL of that link, ensure that it is correct and that the server does still exist and provides the service that the MRF wants to link to.

• "Connection timed out" :- It has taken too long to establish a link to a server. Possibly because that server or part of the network is very busy. Try again later.

• "Connection refused by host":- The server you are attempting to contact is probably busy and canĄt handle any more calls. Try again later.

• "TCP error":- Network error, if this occurs persistently inform your network administrator or your Internet access provider.

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Comments and suggestions to: minerals.forum@unctad.org