A question that I hear often is, "I want to learn more about technology, but where do I start?" I use the following three resources to stay informed:

To learn the basics about a new technology, there is nothing easier than reading one of the many Technology For Dummies books published by IDG. For example, to learn how to use the Internet, The Internet for Dummies is a great choice. If you already consider yourself a power-user, you might want to explore some free on-line course sites. For example, http://www.webmonkey.com is a wonderful site for people who are involved in web publishing.

Finally, please feel free to discuss any technology question with your favorite IST person. One of our most important roles is to help you understand and use technology more effectively. So, Happy Computing!

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Often, while surfing the web, various electronic-advertisements (e-ads) will appear on our screen. We normally tend to ignore these annoying pop-ups, but sometimes we are intrigued by them and click away to get more information or receive a free download. However, if you get an e-ad prompting you to upgrade to Netscape 6.0, just say no!

The Georgetown University Law Center IST Department does not recommend or support Netscape 6.0 at this time. We have found that the product does not have all the features of previous versions, nor is it a fully mature application. For example, Netscape 6.0 does not support all the email features found in previous Netscape versions. It cannot access any Georgetown University address books, as it has no LDAP ability. Also, owing to how it was designed, Netscape 6.0 is not compatible with ColdFusion, which is the program we use to create and maintain the Georgetown University Law Center restricted web site. It cannot access Courseware or any other Georgetown University Law Center restricted web page. Finally, because Netscape 6.0 was created as an open source application, there are potential security concerns, such as viruses and possible infiltration.

So please, just say no to Netscape 6.0. Thank you!

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FASTER WESTLAW ACCESS
Douglas Falls, Network Support Specialist

Do you use Westlaw? If so, you will be thrilled to find out that we have installed a new router. What does this mean for you? You will be able to browse the Westlaw site and retrieve your desired data much more quickly. Click on the URLs below to take advantage of the quicker service. Happy Surfing!

http://www.westlaw.com
http://www.lawschool.westlaw.com

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STALE COOKIES
Spring Moore, Manager of Web Service

Have you received error messages while trying to access various Georgetown University Law Center web pages? Your cookies may be the culprits. Cookies are small pieces of data that a website sends to your computer to identify you as a valid user. Cookies should be automatically refreshed every time you access a website, but sometimes that does not occur. If you have a "stale" cookie, you cannot open that specific web page.

Below are instructions for deleting cookies for Netscape and Microsoft Internet Explorer. If you use both browsers, you should delete the cookies from both. If you delete all your cookies and still have problems accessing Georgetown University Law Center web pages, please contact the Help Desk at 202-662-9284 or helpdesk@law.georgetown.edu.

1. Close your Internet browser (Netscape Navigator).
2. Click on the Start button in the Task bar.
3. Choose the Find option.
4. A submenu will appear.
5. Select the Files and Folders option.
6. The Find All Files dialog will appear.
7. Type in the word cookies in the Named field.
8. If necessary, browse to C: in the Look In field.
9. Click on the Find Now button.
10. Delete any cookies.txt and cookies.js files that appear in the bottom of the Find All Files dialog by clicking once on the file name and pressing on the Delete key.
11. After deleting your stale cookies, close the Find All Files dialog.
12. Open Netscape Navigator.
13. You should be able to access all restricted Georgetown University Law Center web pages.

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1. Close your Internet browser (Microsoft Internet Explorer).
2. Click on the Start button in the Task bar.
3. Choose the Find option.
4. A submenu will appear.
5. Select the Files and Folders option.
6. The Find All Files dialog will appear.
7. Type in the word cookies in the Named field.
8. If necessary, browse to C: in the Look In field.
9. Click on the Find Now button.
10. A Cookies folder will appear in the bottom of the Find All Files dialog.
11. Open the Cookies folder.
12. Select all of the files.
13. Press the Delete key.
14. There may be a few files with a .dat extension that cannot be deleted. Don't worry about those files, as they are not cookies.
14. After deleting your stale cookies, close the Find All Files dialog.
15. Open Microsoft Internet Explorer.
16. You should be able to access all restricted Georgetown University Law Center web pages.

TIME LIMITS IN COURSEWARE
Dianne Harrison Ferro, Manager of Training Support Services

Courseware is part of the Law Center's restricted access website. As such, there is a time-out security function. After 20 minutes of server inactivity, a user is automatically logged off. This timeout function is a precaution that prevents subsequent users in a lab from impersonating the prior user.

Unfortunately, the web server does not register the typing of postings in the Courseware Discussion tab as server activity. After 20 minutes of "inactivity", you will be logged out and your posting will be lost if you have not clicked on the Submit button.

There are two ways to work around the above scenario.

The first and the easiest is to type your posting in a word processing application and then copy and paste it into Courseware.

The second option is to submit your partial posting in Courseware before the 20-minute period has expired. Although your incomplete essay will be "posted", you can immediately click on the Edit button to resume your writing. You must continue to click on the Submit button within 20 minutes.

Both work-arounds provide an interim solution to a problem we are currently trying to resolve. We will provide you with more information as soon as it is available. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

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