There's a lot to talk about this month. As you know by now, we went full-steam ahead with our plans to make Softdisk for Windows more interactive with the Internet. The whole Softdisk for Windows crew has been working feverishly over the last month to bring you what we think is our best and most flexible shell to date. One of the first things you'll notice about the current issue is that we're using more graphics. The new HTML layout allows us to spruce up the pages in a multitude of ways. Now, each issue can be more customized to the particular theme we're trying to achieve. We can use more art from Tom to tie each page of the issue in with his great intro movies. Plus, you can transfer the same skill set you use browsing the Net to our issues (or even vise versa if you're not connected to the Internet yet). When you read Dan Tobias' latest Online Journeys column, you'll see that even the United States Postal Service has some big plans involving the Internet. Now for a few points about the new shell...
Do You Need An Internet Connection To Run The Current Issue?
No. Most of the current issue will run right on the CD without connecting to the Net. However, if you're connected to the Net, you'll be able to use the various hyperlinks in the issue to jump right to pages like the cool web sites in the Surfin' the Net article and Dan Tobias' Online Journeys links.
Which Web Browsers Does Softdisk for Windows Support?
Right now we're officially supporting Netscape Navigator 4.0 and Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 and above. The new shell uses JavaScript and Frames which both of these web browsers handle correctly. The new shell may work on other web browsers, or even earlier versions of the above mentioned web browsers, but we're concentrating our testing efforts on the above versions.
Running Programs
This is probably the only technical detail that you'll be faced with on the new shell. Most Web Browsers are initially set up not to run EXE files since most web pages out on the Net are designed to be accessed by browsers on many different operating systems -- Windows, Macintosh, Unix, etc. Plus, there's a possible security risk automatically running an executable file from an unkown source. Since the Softdisk for Windows issues are tailored only for Windows systems and each issue is scanned to ensure no viruses are present before we ship the issue, you can feel safe running any of the EXE files on our CDs -- just like the previous issues. I mention this point because most Web browsers display warning messages before running EXE files. Plus, you'll need to go in your Web Browser's Preference menu to set your browser to launch EXE files. We'll detail below how to do this in Netscape Navigator 4.0 and Internet Explorer 4.0. Note: We only recommend launching executable files that are supplied with our issue from your Web browser. That includes our featured programs, demo, and enhancement installers. When you're out surfin' the Web, it's best to choose "No" or "Cancel" when prompted about launching external programs. With all that said, let's setup your browser to run the programs on the issue...
Netscape Navigator 4.05 Setup
Select the Preferences option in the Edit menu.
In the Expandable tree to the left, highlight Applications listed under Navigator. (You might have to double-click "Navigator" to expand the list first.)
A list of file extensions and their helper applications will be displayed. Click the "New Type..." button to add EXE to the list.
Enter the following data:
For description: Program
For file extension: EXE
For MIME type: application
For Application: %1
or
For Application: "%1" %*
Note: The Application field might be filled in automatically by the browser. The quotation marks and the space after the second quote mark should be typed in as well.
Also, the check box in front of the Application field should be marked.
Be sure to leave the "Ask before opening download files of this type" option checked.
Click OK on this dialog and the main dialog.
Now, when you run a program or installer from the shell, you'll see the standard warning message box. Select "Open it" and click the OK button to run the program or installer. Be sure to leave the "Always ask before opening this type of file" option checked.
A Note of Interest: Older versions of Navigator, such as 3.01, have a similar setup process, but require you to cancel a "Save As..." dialog before the actual program is run.
Internet Explorer 4.0 Setup
Internet Explorer 4.0 is already set up to run EXE files. When you run a program from the shell, a standard warning dialog will appear asking whether you want to save or open the file. Select the "Run this program from its current location" option and click the OK button. A secondary warning message will appear because there's no publisher info in our files that the browser can recognize. Simply click the Yes button on this dialog to continue and run the program.
Printing Articles
To print the various articles and text in the issue, use your web browser's Print options (usually located in the File menu). On most of the articles, you'll need to use the "Print Frame" related print option. Depending on your web browser, the articles should be printed with all the graphic elements intact.
Right And Left Clicks
In most web browsers, you can right or left click images and links with your mouse to bring up a menu of viewing and downloading/saving options. The new Softdisk for Windows shell provides an install button for all the programs and enhancements, so you won't have to figure out which mouse button or Save option to choose. So, when you want to copy an item to your system, just left-click the item's Install button (usually located at the bottom of the page) to launch one of our standard installers.
If you skip reading the fliers that come with your issues each month, you might not know about our new Softdisk for Windows Back Issue Store on the Internet. The Back Issue Store is located at http://backissues.softdisk.com/ (You can also use the Back Issue button on the main screen to jump to the store.)
It's packed with screen shots, so just click and preview the issues like you usually do with the Back Issue Browser. And shopping is easy and secure using the same secure server shopping system that's been used in our main DownloadStore since 1995. Speaking of the Back Issue Browser...
Since we finally have an online store for our back issues now, we'll probably do away with the old Back Issue Browser soon. We've included an updated version of the Back Issue Browser in the \BROWSER directory of the issue for those who are not connected to the Internet yet. I'll probably work on a HTML version of the Back Issue Browser in the near future that we can put on the issue CD and link up with our online store for purchases.
The issue starts out with Recipe Wizard, a must-have for all the chefs out there. Recipe Wizard's internal cookbook already comes packed with thousands of recipes, but you can add your own favorites as well. Next, let your children take a journey through the Multiplication Maze Mountain. Only their math skills will help them find the three hidden keys to the exit. Diary Pal is a nice little diary program that's so easy to use, you'll be hooked on keeping a personal journal every day. For some distraction from the 9-to-5 world try PolyDrax. It's classic brick-falling strategy with a medical twist. CryptoQuad, our cryptic clue puzzle game, is back with a new set of puzzles to solve. And the demo for this issue is Jazz Jackrabbit 2 Demo by Epic MegaGames. It's a great side-scroller that the whole family will enjoy.
Time's running out on your chance to enter the Herbs Contest (issue #43). Remember, entries must be received by August 28th, 1998. We're also looking for some more entries in the Namystic Contest (issue #44). See details in the Contests and Specials article.
The DownloadStore "back door" for August 1998 is at
http://softdisk.downloadstore.com/deepcuts/
Come through that door and you'll automatically save 20% off the regular price of any software program you download.
Have Fun Exploring the New Issue!
John Zucco
Technical Editor
Softdisk for Windows
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