Netscape Communicator

Table of Contents

  1. What is Netscape Communicator
  2. System Requirements
  3. Installation Recommendations
  4. How to Install Netscape Communicator
  5. How to Setup Netscape Communicator
  6. How to Use Netscape Communicator
  7. How to Remove (uninstall) Netscape Communicator
  8. Product Updates
  9. Product Information and Technical Support

I.  What is Netscape Communicator? Return to Top
 

Netscape Navigator is a suite of Internet applications developed by Netscape Communications Corporation.  The following describes only a part of Netscape's Internet capabilities:

NAVIGATOR:  a web browser capable of displaying various documents found on the Internet.  It incorporates Java support and data encryption for secure on-line services. It can also launch other programs to view web documents that it cannot display.

MESSENGER:  an electronic mail client capable of using IMAP, POP3 and SMTP protocols to manage, send and receive mail messages.  It can handle multiple email accounts and sort, file and retrieve mail messages.  It can also spell-check out-going messages, create address books, and send attachments with messages using the MIME encoding.

COMPOSER:  a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) HTML editor capable of creating, viewing and posting web pages directly to web pages storage space.

AOL INSTANT MESSENGER: a message sending service. It provides a chat program that enables you to see and communicate with all your friends, whether they are on America Online or signed on to Instant Messenger.

In addition, to these functions Netscape provides:


II. System Requirements  Return to Top
Processor: 486 chip (or higher processor)  PowerMac
Supported Operating System:  Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT 3.51, Windows NT 4.0,  MacOS: 7.6.1 and (or higher)
Hard Disk Requirements: Windows 95/98/NT - Full (typical) Installation 33,631KB (or 33.631MB),  Macintosh PPC typical installation -: 43,182,592KB (or 42.1705MB)
Minimum RAM Requirement: Windows systems -16MB; Macintosh systems - 16MB Base Memory.  If virtual memory is turned on, 6,144k minimum and 8,192k Preferred. Memory requirements wil increase by 6758k if virtual memory is turned off.
Connection method to the Internet: Internet dial-up access provided by any ISP or OSP provider. Internet dial-up access to the campus and the Internet is also available through GatorLink's Dial-up Service.  The University's Division of Housing provides network services (DHNet) to its residents.  Check with their offices for more information.
Hardware: A modem with a networking software package is required to use a modem dial-up service.  Windows 95/98/NT provides this software as part of its operating system.  A network adapter with networking software is required use DHNet's ethernet port service.  Windows 95/98/NT provides this software as part of its operating system.

III. Installation Recommendations Return to Top

IV.  How to Install  Return to Top
Netscape is distributed in two forms the export version is intended for those who plan to take the program out of the country. the domestic version is intended for those users who plan to use the product with in the United States and Canada.  If you plan to take the program out of the country, you should install and the EXPORT version. If you install the Domestic version, it should be removed from your computer prior to traveling outside the country.

To install the program manually, follow these instructions:
For Windows 3.1x:
    1. Start from the Program Manager window.
    2. Open the File menu and select the Run option.

      3. In the Command Line box of the Run window, enter the following:
      (DOMESTIC VERSION)
      Z:\SOFTWARE\NET\WIN3X\CC16D408.EXE
      (EXPORT VERSION)
      Z:\SOFTWARE\NET\WIN3X\CC16E408.EXE
      "Z" represents the computer's CD-ROM drive letter.
    3. Click the OK button.
    4. Restart the computer after installation.
 For Windows 95/98/NT 4.0:
  1. Press the Start button and select the RUN option
  2. In the Open window, enter the following:

    3. (DOMESTIC VERSION)
    Z:\SOFTWARE\NET\WIN9X\CP32D47.EXE
    (EXPORT VERSION)
    Z:\SOFTWARE\NET\WIN9X\CP32E47.EXE 
    "Z" represents the computer's CD-ROM drive letter.
  3. Click the OK button.
  4. Restart the computer after installation.

V. How to Set up Netscape Communicator Return to Top

    There are several settings in Netscape Communicator that can be configured to your wants.  Most of the settings can be left as they are and Communicator will function normally.  However, we have a few suggestions and recommendations that you may want to use.

    A. Set up information for the User Profile Manager

    The User Profile Manager sets up your basic E-mail and News service settings and saves your settings under Profile name.  The User Profile Manager starts the first time you open Communicator.
     
    We offer the following information to help you answer questions asked by the User Profile Manager:
    1. We recommend entering in formal name into the Full Name field. This name will apear in every email message you send.
    1. Your complete email address will be in one of the following forms. If you have a:

      2. GatorLink: username@ufl.edu
      CIRCA Grove: username@grove.ufl.edu
      NERDC NERSP: username@nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu
      Other accounts: username@computer.name

      The text, username should be replaced with your account's user name.
      For other accounts that provide email services, check with your account administrator to verify your address. The text, computer.name will be the address provided by your mail administrator.

    1. Type into the Outgoing Mail [SMTP] server field, the name of your SMTP server. For:

      2. GatorLink: smtp.ufl.edu
      CIRCA grove: grove.ufl.edu
      NERDC nersp: smtp.nerdc.ufl.edu

      For other accounts, check with your account administrator to verify this setting.

    1. Type into the Mail Server Username field your account's username.  An example of an username would be: jgator
    1. Communicator can retrieve mail using POP or IMAP protocols. If your email service provider offers you a choice, we recommend using the IMAP protocol.  We only recommend using the POP protocol if you always read your messages from the same computer all the time.
    1. Type into the Incoming Mail Server field the name of your POP or IMAP email server. For:

      2. GatorLink:   imap.ufl.edu (for IMAP services)
                         pop.ufl.edu   (for POP services)
      CIRCA grove:   grove.ufl.edu (for IMAP & POP services)
      NERDC nersp:  pop.nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu  (for POP services)
                              imap.nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu (for IMAP services)
    For other accounts, check with your account administrator to verify this setting.
    1. In the News [NNTP] server field, type the name of your news server. For:

      2. GatorLink services use:  news.ufl.edu
      For all other accounts use:  news.nerdc.ufl.edu
      Leave the Port and Secure fields alone.
    Once a User Profile Manager is complete, Communicator will launch with the newly created profile.

    Important Notice: By default, Communicator is configured to Only show subscribed folders and does not set the IMAP server directory for IMAP email services.  You must change these settings to be able to used the IMAP protocol to retrieve your mail.  Instructions to change these is located in the section entitled, How to set up a Netscape Communicator Profile to check your Email.

    B. How to change Netscape Communicator settings
    All browser and E-mail settings within Netscape Communicator can be changed through the Edit menu and the Preferences option within each User Profile. For instructions on:

VI. How to use Communicator  Return to Top

Most of the functions of Communicator can be learned through trial and error. Many of the buttons are intuitively learned.  If you do not understand a particular function, Netscape maintains a large documentation library on-line covering topics including 'How to use Netscape' and 'How to create your own Web pages.'

This information can be viewed by selecting subjects from Netscape's Help pull-down menu while your computer is connected to the Internet.  We recommend using these menus to learn how to use Communicator.


VII. How to Remove (uninstall) Communicator Return to Top
For Windows 3.1x
Open Communicator's Program Group and double the Uninstall Netscape Communicator icon.

For Windows 95:
1. Press the Start button. Select Settings and then Control Panel.
3. In the Control Panel window, double-click the Add/Remove Programs shortcut.
4. The Add/Remove Programs Properties window is used to remove programs from your computer.
5. To remove a program using the Install/Uninstall tab:

Scroll down the list of installed applications.
Select the program you want to uninstall.
Press the Add/Remove button.
Follow the instructions on the screen.
6. We recommend removing one program at a time and restarting the computer after removing a program.

VIII. Product updates  Return to Top
Netscape Communicator is developed through Netscape Communications Corporation and is under constant development.  The latest versions of this program are available at the following locations:
Netscape's Home Page: http://home.netscape.com/
SODA Shoppe web site: http://www.software.ufl.edu
UF Software CD (found at the Hub.)  The UF Software CD is updated about every quarter and therefore may not have the most current version.

IX. Product Information and Technical Support     Return to Top
The UF Computing Help Desk is available to answer any question concerning the configuration and use of  Netscape Communicator with GatorLink E-mail service.  For additional technical information, visit Netscape's Support page at:

http://home.netscape.com/support/index.html

The program provides documentation.  You can access this information through the Help menu.
For assistance installing this program or using this CD-ROM, please contact the UF Computing Help Desk at 392-HELP (4357).