Connecting to the Library Catalog FAQ
Browser Compatibility
The following BROWSERS WORK with SJCPLS Catalog:
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or later
Netscape Navigator 6.1 or later
Netscape Communicator 4.7 or later
The following browsers work with some modifications or do not work
AOL browser works if TopSpeed accelerator is disabled
Earthlink browser works if the accelerator is disabled
Safari works on a Mac if caching is disabled (use IE or Netscape on Mac OS X)
Firefox works with specific cache settings
Galeon for Linux generally works but there may be some problems
Third party accelerators such as Propel cause problems with the Catalog
Walmart browser does not work
Browser Difficulties - Placing holds
We have heard of problems with the Safari browser on an iMac, and Earthlink and Walmart dialup Internet. These browsers have "accelerators" similar to AOL's which store (or cache) web pages on your local PC to speed up the connection. (Please read about AOL above, especially AOL 9.0 and TopSpeed.) Firefox has the same problem with certain cache settings.
A solution to this problem is to use Internet Explorer (IE) or Netscape while you are using the Library Catalog. If you prefer, you can change back to your or other browser when you are not using the Catalog.
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If you can't find IE or Netscape on your computer, you can download them for no cost at
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1e1550cb-5e5d-48f5-b02b-20b602228de6&displaylang=en
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http://channels.netscape.com/ns/browsers/download.jsp
For AOL 9.0 and Topspeed:
AOL 9.0 has a feature called TopSpeed which uses web page caching to speed up Web surfing. (This means that the AOL browser stores a copy of web pages on your local PC and uses those pages instead of going back over the Internet to get a new page display. This speeds up or accelerates your Internet connection because it reduces traffic.) We believe it is TopSpeed that is causing the problem with placing requests (holds).
If you don't want to use IE, we recommend that you turn off TopSpeed and clear the AOL browser cache. The following instructions are from the AOL help screens on TopSpeed.
For Earthlink:
We have found that if you turn off the Accelerator on the Earthlink browser, the requests (holds) problem is solved. Or, after you start up your connection with Earthlink, minimize the Earthlink browser and look for Internet Explorer on your computer.
For Walmart:
It appears that the accelerator is built into the Walmart browser and can't be turned off. After you start up your connection with Walmart, minimize the Walmart browser and look for Internet Explorer on your computer.
For Safari on a Mac:
You can permanently disable the cache in Safari by doing the following:
1. Go to Go/Applications on the Mac OS X toolbar.
2. From within the Applications window, double click on the Utilities icon.
3. Double click on the Terminal icon to open a Terminal window.
4. At the prompt type: rm -r ~/Library/caches/safari/
3. Then type: touch ~/Library/caches/safari
This creates an empty file where Safari expects its cache to be and prevents it from caching any pages. We also have reports that IE and Netscape work with the Library Catalog on a Mac.
For Firefox:
You need to change the cache settings in Firefox by doing the following
1. In the Location bar type: about:config
2. Press Enter. Firefox will display a list of configuration settings.
3. In the Filter box, type: cache
4. You will see the configuration settings relating to the browser cache.
5. Double-click on Browser.cache.doc_check_frequency
6. Change the setting from 3 to 1.
7. Click OK.
For Propel (a third party Internet accelerator):
Propel is a third party accelerator that speeds up your Internet connection. You can turn off Propel when you search the Library Catalog and turn it back on for other web sites.
Using Propel Accelerator - Disable/Enable Propel Accelerator (from the Propel web site)
When Propel Accelerator is enabled, this menu item will appear as Disable Propel Accelerator. When disabled, the menu item will appear as Enable Propel Accelerator. By default, Propel Accelerator is enabled, meaning that your Internet experience is accelerated. When you choose the Disable option, the Propel Acceleration Service will be bypassed and you will access the Internet at regular speed.
Note: Even if Propel Accelerator is disabled, the Propel Accelerator menu is still active. You can check performance or change settings in Options.
To completely inactivate Propel Accelerator, choose Stop Propel Accelerator from the Windows Start menu:
Start --> Programs -> Propel Accelerator --> Stop Propel Accelerator
Other Dialup Internet connections - It is likely that these procedures will apply to other dialup Internet service providers that use web page caching/storage to speed up connections.
Browser Difficulties - Firewalls & Port 81
The following error message "Error connecting to server," is indicative of access being blocked by a firewall, proxy server, or router.
Check your firewall settings to be sure that port 81 is open.
If you receive this message at home after opening your computer firewall's "port 81" (and are not using a router), contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and ask if they are blocking access to port 81.
If you access the internet through a router, or from work, contact your network administrator and ask that port 81 be opened on the firewall or proxy server. This is the port on which the Library Catalog and Reference Databases are accessed.
Of course, if these don't work for you, please contact the Library's webmaster at sjcwebmast@neflin.org, and we'll work together to get you the access you need.