Help

• Advice for New Users
• Library searches using Telnet
• Downloading files from MRF
• Using Adobe Acrobat
• Contacting the MRF
• Error messages on the Web
  

Advice for New Users of the Forum

The MRF is best viewed through Microsoft Intenet Explorer 4.0 or Netscape Navigator 4.0 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 by major Topics such as small-scale mining, and by Regions such as Asia and the Pacific. Each of the Topics and Regions in turn is subdivided into information such as News and Events as well as specific issues such as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Should you get lost when navigating through the Forum, links are provided to the MRF Home page, this Help page, the Search page, and the Site Map and Site Index pages in the footer of each page.

Library catalogue searches using Telnet

The majority of online library catalogues now have browser based interfaces and no longer require the use of Telnet, though in many cases the Telnet service is still available if required. The following provdes information on how to use 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 identified 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 software applications (such as MS Word word processing packages, and Excel spreadsheet packages). You can download all these files from the MRF 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

Later versions of both web browsers may require a different procedure.

Downloading Adobe Acrobat PDF Documents

Many documents available on the Forum are in the Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). To be able to read PDF formatted documents Adobe Acrobat Reader software is required. This software is freely available for download from the Adobe website. To download the Adobe Acrobat Reader software please click on the logo below and follow the instructions.

Once you have downloaded and loaded 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

Later versions of both web browsers may require a different procedure.

Download the document you require from the MRF.

Contacting the Forum

To e-mail the MRF click on the minerals.forum@unctad.org link that is at the bottom of each page. This will start your e-mail software and open a new message with the address of the MRF completed. Type your comments in the box, attach any file that you want to send to Forum and press Send.

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 can't 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, please e-mail the MRF webmaster at minerals.forum@unctad.org informing them of which link is causing this error.

• "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.

NRSD Home | MRF Home | About | Site Map | Site Index | Search | Help

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