Introduction to our System and Software

We are currently using a Linux system in which each group of four or six workstations shares a common computer. The software is all based on open-source,free, programs that you can use at home. If you want some of these programs, you can download them and save them on a CD. Ask the reference librarian or computer center staff members for information.

See also: List of Software Installed on these Computers

The browser is not IE (Internet Explorer).

The browser is now Epiphany As it is one of the new-style tab browsers, links may occasionally open, as directed by their designers, in a new tab rather than replacing the existing page or opening a new copy of the browser. If you want to ask a link to open in a new tab, just hold down the control button while you click on the link.

On our machines the browser is available in over 30 different languages.

If the page you want to see does not work properly, it was improperly coded. In that case you can try clicking the IE button at the upper right to view it as it would look in IE.

If you like Galeon (our previous browser) and Epiphany, you might want to try browsers such a K-Meleon for Windows and Firefox which is available for almost any platform. Take a look at the browser comparison chart at Wikipedia.

OpenOffice is not Microsoft Office© and Linux in not Windows©

The applications software suite is OpenOffice and includes a word processor, spreadsheet and presentation creators, an html editor, and graphics program.

It is currently has implementations in more than 30 languages, many of which are installed on this library system. Be sure to download the version that is in the language of your choice.

Although it usually reads documents created in MS WORD without problems, this is not always the case and you should be aware that it is always safest to save your documents in "rich text format", as RTF files if you are using them in a variety of word processors. This is especially the case if you are using any graphics or resumé formating.

If your print-out doesn't space correctly, you probably tried to work directly on a relatively complex MS Word document that was constructed on a machine using a very different sort of printer.

Instruction manuals are on the shelf above the library computers. Please browse through them while you are waiting for a computer to become available. If you are in a hurry - use an index.

Saving items to a floppy disk additional instructions on saving your information

This is not really a good idea.  If you can afford it come over to the library and buy a USB flash drive.  $20 and the money goes to a good cause.  But if you cannot afford one and you want to physically carry your files aroung with you - use a floppy.  We sell those for 50 cents if you don't have one with you.  Please just remember that floppies get messed up and die.

Always look for the green light on your floppy drive when you are saving a text document or a copy of a web page. If it doesn't come on - your information is not being saved onto the floppy.

The first time you choose save, you will see a line that says "3.5 USB Floppy Drive (A:)". You must double-click on this before you save your file, otherwise it will simply save the material onto the desktop. If you specify the floppy drive initially, the machine will remember to use the floppy for the rest of the session, so you only have to do this once. However, if you have been saving to floppy in the word processor, you will still have to specify the floppy drive the first time you do a save from the browser.

If you save to the desktop, the file will eventually disappear. However - there is a way to recover. Click on the floppy icon to open the drive window and drag your file icon over into this window.

Remember - floppies should not be the only way you save your information.  You should also store copies online or on flash drives.

Turning off annoying popup ads

If you are seeing popups, go to the top menu bar of your browser; click on Settings and then click next to "Allow popups" to uncheck the item.

Note: If you chose Internet Kiosk mode, there is no menu bar and so no way to turn off the popups.

You are using a cable Internet connection, not DSL.

The broadband Internet connection is supplied by StarPower, which has recently changed its name to RCN, and it is very fast. If you are interested in similar cable Internet in your home, please contact them.

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