Browser Tips

Simple Computer Browser Tips
If you are having computer problems try these tips first:

1. Quit your browser (not just close it).

On a Mac “closing” an application does not “quit” the application.

2. Clear your cache.

Some browsers, such as Firefox, are often set up to clear (empty) your cache automatically.

If you need help with this send an e-mail to the library: refdesk@itp.edu and we will help.

3. Restart your computer.

This often fixes a multitude of problems.

Browser Settings for Better Access

Check these settings:

1. Don’t block pop-ups.

Pop-ups can be annoying, but many databases / Web sites don’t work properly without them.

2. Accept third party cookies.

This is usually a medium privacy setting.

If the above suggestions do not help, the problem may be with antivirus software and/or firewalls.

If you need help with these settings send an e-mail to the library: refdesk@itp.edu and we will help.

Browser Tips for Using Angel

There are many excellent browsers available for your computer. They are available for free download from the Internet. Only certain browsers are compatible for use with Angel at ITP. If you use a browser that is not compatible with Angel it may not function properly, especially with downloads from Angel.
Browsers compatible with Angel:

For PC: Firefox 3+ and Internet Explorer 7+

For Mac: Firefox 3+
If you are still having problems accessing library Web site information and/or databases send an e-mail to the library: refdesk@itp.edu and we will try to help.

Browser Tips: FirefoxTabs and Shortcuts

Firefox is a browser with great functionality for Web research. One way to take advantage of this functionality is to use keyboard shortcuts. My favorite is the Ctrl+T keyboard shortcut. This opens a new tab. Why use this? Say you are searching in a database, but want to look up a journal title in the A to Z list to see what our holdings (electronic or print) are for that title. Use Ctrl+T for PCs or Cmd+T for Macs to open another tab, click over to the tab and go back to the Access Databases Page. You haven't lost your database search and now you can check holdings for journals whenever you need it during the search session.
More browser tips coming soon.

Cooliris (formerly known as PicLens)

In search of images that will add visual interest to your work?
Interested in visual researching?
Cooliris can help.
This Firefox add-on is easy (and fun) to use. Once installed,
images are presented as a 3D wall that you can effortlessly zip along.
Just click on the image to bring it to the fore and zoom in.
Each picture has a small globe icon which you can click on to
jump to its corresponding website.You can easily share the images by clicking the envelope icon which allows you to email them to others. Cooliris is a great time saver as it taps into the image resources of many popular websites and search engines including Google, Flickr, Amazon, YouTube, deviantArt, Photobucket, and Yahoo.

Firefox can be downloaded free from: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/.
The Cooliris add-on can then be installed from: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/search?q=cooliris&cat=all .

Optimizing Online Research--Browsers

We wanted to share a few tips to improve your online research experience.

• Use Internet Explorer (IE) or Firefox browser. These two are the most stable and compatible with library research databases. If you don't have Firefox, it is a free download on the Web at http://www.mozilla.com.
• Take advantage of your Links bar (IE) /Bookmarks Toolbar Folder (Firefox). This gives you quick access to your favorite websites. You can even create folders for your links on the toolbar.

• Be sure you have Adobe Reader on your computer. This free download is the best pdf reader to use. Although Macs have a reader called Preview, we have found that Adobe Reader has better results. Just go to http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.
• Always talk to a librarian for help with your particular situation. We spend all our time finding better ways to do research and we love to share our discoveries.