Internet Help
Getting Started
Additional Software You'll Need
If you have problems with:
Using Passports, the Library's Web site
General Help Sites
- Webster University User Services Has specific instructions for Webster personnel on how to get help, etc.
- Tech Support Guy
- 5 Star Support
Internet Service Providers
To access the Internet from home, you must sign up with an Internet Service Provider (ISP). Ask your friends and colleagues for recommendations, and check the web sites of local universities or your city or region for other suggestions.
Web Browsers
We recommend using either Netscape Communicator or Microsoft Internet Explorer. Browsers offered by Internet providers such as America Online might not be fully compatible with the interactive features of Passports. Problems are usually solved by switching to Netscape or Internet Explorer. Follow these links and instructions to download and install Netscape Communicator or Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Problems with Accessing Passports Resources
If you have problems accessing any of the online/full-text databases, contact the library at docdel@webster.edu or call (314) 968-5994 (toll-free 800-985-4279). Here are some things to check before you contact us:
- Is your number correct? If you are a Webster student, faculty member, or staff member, make sure you are entering your i.d. number (not your Social Security number!). Remember that you must be currently enrolled to access the databases.
- Are cookies enabled in your browser? Some databases require you to accept a "cookie", a small file that the database creates on your hard drive. Consult your web browser manual or internet service provider for information on how to set your computer to do so. For more information, visit Cookie Central.
- Are you using a web browser offered by an Internet provider such as America Online? Proprietary browsers might not be fully compatible with the interactive features of Passports. Problems are usually solved by switching to Netscape Communicator or Microsoft Internet Explorer. Instructions for downloading these software packages are given in the section on Web Browsers.
- Are you behind a firewall? Some firewall software may interfere with access. Check with your company's computer support department for assistance or the manual and tech support available with any home firewall software.
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Many documents available on the Internet are in a special format known as "PDF" (portable document format). Good examples would be forms, such as those from the IRS, or articles available in some of the full-text databases offered through Passports. The free Adobe Acrobat Reader program allows you to print and view "PDF" files. Download the Adobe Reader at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.
Audiovisual Players
Some features require the ability to play Flash and mp3 files. To play Flash files, you may need to download and install Flash and Shockwave, located at: http://www.adobe.com/downloads/.
To play mp3 files, you may need to download and install Windows Media Player, located at: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/default.mspx or Quicktime, located at: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/.
Printing/Downloading From the Internet
In both Netscape and Internet Explorer, you can select the "Print" button at the top of your screen to print the document you are viewing. To save the document, select "File", then "Save As" and indicate a location on your hard drive or floppy drive where you would like the saved file to be placed.
Here are some suggestions for handling unusual printing/downloading situations:
- Light print on dark backgrounds: In Netscape, select "File", then "Page Setup". Then select "Black Lines" and "Black Text".
- Wide graphics or tables: You will need to change to a "landscape" or wide layout. Select "Print" from your top menu bar, then "Properties" from the print window that appears. You should then see a landscape option.
- Saving images: In Windows, you would right-click on the image. From the menu that appears, choose "Save Image As". Another window will pop up. Here you can indicate a location on your hard drive or floppy drive where you would like the saved image to be placed. Macintosh users should simply click and hold on any image, then select "Save Image As".
- Finding the length of a document: Select "File", then "Print Preview". The system will display the document as it should appear when printed. The page number range is given in a corner of the page. When you click on "Print", you can set the page range that you want to print (e.g. page 3 to 3 to print page 3 only, page 5 to 7 to print pages 5, 6, and 7, etc.).