WebCache User's Guide ver. 4.30

WebCache User Guide .

for Netscape Navigator ver. 4.0x or 3.0x

  • Introduction
    		•
  • Installation
    		•
  • Scan Cache
    		•
  • Scan Bookmarks
    		•
  • Save Pages
    		•
  • Troubleshooting and limitations
    		•
  • Options
    		•
  • Legal
    		•
  • Registration and updates
    		•
  • Acknowledgements
    		•
  • Message dialogues
    		•
  • Revisions history
    		•

    1. INTRODUCTION

    Description and purpose

    The Internet provides a huge selection of web sites for "surfers". These sites contain pages brimming with rich graphical content and informative text. Netscape's File | Save provides a way to save a page in the computer for later viewing - unfortunately it doesn't save the graphics that would add much more enjoyment to our off-line browsing.

    WebCache to the rescue!... Making use of a little known or understood Navigator resource called the cache, WebCache recaptures both the text and graphics and saves it in a way that permits Netscape to revisit the web site off-line and at your convenience. Click a link and then navigate the Web site reliving the excitement, saving pages or making bookmarks.

    WebCache can be used with Netscape Navigator ver. 2.0x through 4.0x as a utility for off-line browsing. When Scan Cache is activated it will make CACHE.HTM Web page. This page is the sorted list of all http, gopher and ftp addresses of files which exist in local cache.

    While Navigator saves and displays only the last 10 addresses, the number of addresses WebCache displays is unlimited. The CACHE.HTM list may also be used while surfing on-line (when connected to the Internet).

    While CACHE.HTM is just an index of what is currently in cache, complete pages (with pictures) may be saved permanently on local disk. Once saved, pages may be copied to another disk/ diskette/ computer. This is done with the WebCache Go | Save pages function.

    How the cache works? When surfing Navigator stores copies of all the pages and their contents in a special CACHE directory on your hard drive. Navigator's cache contents are not permanent. When the size of the cache becomes bigger than its set limit, Navigator erases the oldest files. This happens normally when closing Navigator but can also happen while surfing. Some pages get deleted when closing Navigator even if they are not oldest. So to see all pages, try using WebCache before closing Navigator. If they are still in Navigator's cache, using Webache's Save pages feature they can be permanently saved allowing you to view them again at your convenience.

    Other uses of WebCache include filtering of BOOKMARK.HTM and making it printable with visible addresses.

    WebCache has 3 menus: Go, Options and Help. Functions Scan Cache, Scan Bookmarks and Save pages may be accessed through the Go menu or using buttons on the main screen.

    Options apply to all 3 functions. Functions are independent and there is no particular order in which they must be used.

    1.1 Installation Guide

    Hardware and other requirements

    IBM-PC 386 or better running Windows 3.10, 3.11 or Windows 95, VGA card with 256 or more colors, approximately 500 kByte of hard disk space and Netscape Navigator ver. 3.0x or 4.0x (regular, Gold, Communicator).

    Win 3.1x Installation

    First unzip distribution file webcaXXX.zip to any directory. Then run SETUP program. When this is done, a new group appears in Program Manager. If you do not wish to make new group or if you do not want new icons to be added in existing group (if you install new version over existing one) make 'Group name' empty before installation. To run the program, open WebCache group and double click on WebCache.

    In WebCache, first click on Options then Configure. WebCache must establish paths to the CACHE\FAT.DB, NETSCAPE.EXE and BOOKMARK.HTM files. The program will search the disks to find them. Answer 'Yes' three times (when it finds the NETSCAPE.EXE, FAT.DB and BOOKMARK.HTM files you want to use).
    NOTES: You might have more than one Navigator in your system and there might be more users on Navigator 4.0 - each user has its own cache and bookmarks. Also user may change the default cache location within Navigator. Keep in mind that cache subdirectory must remain named CACHE. WebCache is now ready to use.

    Win 95 Installation

    Same as for Win 3.1x installation above. Here WebCache is accessible under Start |Programs |WebCache group. You might want to drop shortcut to WEBCACHE.EXE on the desktop. Do this by dragging WEBCACHE.EXE from Explorer file list and dropping it to the desktop.

    Uninstall

    WebCache will not change your system settings in any way. To uninstall it just click on the UNINSTAL icon, then delete theWEBCACHE directory after have you saved your localized pages to another place. Remove the WebCache program group.(Win 3.xx)

    2. USING THE PROGRAM TO SCAN CACHE

    1. Run WebCache before you want to browse pages off-line. Click on 'Go' then 'Scan Cache' and wait for the Result message. Click on 'Yes' to run the browser, 'No' to copy CACHE.HTM address to clipboard .
    2. Run Netscape Navigator if it is closed. If you did not run Navigator from within WebCache, then in Navigator use File| Open file to view CACHE.HTM index file located in the WEBCACHE directory or click on Location field and press Ctrl-V to paste the address from clipboard.
    3. Click on the desired address in the list. The desired page shows in a new browser window or in the old one, depending on WebCache option: Options | Show | New window. If in a new window, you may move it so both the index and desired pages are visible. You may click further on colored (visited) addresses or choose another address in the index list.

      You may always return to CACHE.HTM file using menu: Go|* Local cache *.
      You can add CACHE.HTM file to bookmarks, to be able to access it later as any other location. CACHE.HTM list is sorted alphabetically by page addresses. It can be changed in Options | Sort dialog box. The list may also be filtered and all pictures listed.

    To avoid messages saying that a connection is not established, change Navigator NETWORK PREFERENCES. Option should be:

    - CACHE | Verify documents: NEVER

    When you want to use Navigator on-line again, restore this option to what it was before.

    Tips

    2.1 Troubleshooting and limitations

    Limitations

    If there are more than 2000 addresses extracted, or if the length of an address is longer than 150 characters then address checking for duplicates and address sorting is skipped (for those addresses). Those addresses appear on top of the listing.

    Troubleshooting

    Trouble #1 - WHAT IF IT DOES NOT WORK?

    Trouble #2 - IT WORKS BUT THERE ARE ADDRESSES IN CACHE.HTM WHICH SEEM NOT TO EXIST IN LOCAL CACHE ?

    Trouble #3 - IT WORKS BUT SOME SURFED ADDRESSES DO NOT APPEAR IN CACHE.HTM ?

    3. USING THE PROGRAM TO SCAN BOOKMARKS

    Navigator keep bookmarks in the file BOOKMARK.HTM.

    Menu Go | Scan Bookmark enables filtering of BOOKMARK.HTM and also it can make bookmarks printable with visible addresses. It produces BOOKLIST.HTM file in WEBCACHE directory, which you may view by Navigator menu File | Open file or print by File | Print.
    All options apply to Scan Bookmark except Server separation.

    4. USING THE PROGRAM TO SAVE PAGES

    As you know, cache contents is of temporary nature. If one wants to save page(s) permanently, selected pages and its pictures must be copied into a separate directory and then addresses on those pages must be changed (localized) to point to local files instead of remote sites. Always close Navigator before saving pages.

    Use Go | Save pages to save complete pages. Type the address of the page you want to save or only the server address if you want all pages from this server to be saved. Any unique part of the address may be entered. If you don't know an exact address, or what is available, first use WebCache to Scan cache. Then in Navigator, click on the desired address with right mouse button and choose: 'Copy this link location'. Close Navigator and open 'Save pages' in WebCache. When cursor is on the address field press Shift-Ins key or Ctrl-V to paste address. Then you may edit this address to leave only the server name, if you wish to save all the pages from this server.

    For example:

    Assume the web site (server) name is http://www.mapworld.com

    and the pages you viewed were:

    NOTE: a comma is used to separate entries. Number of entries is not limited but total length of addresses is 250 characters.

    A shortcut address which will save EVERYTHING in the cache is '/ ' (without the quote marks). Check free disk space first.

    Next type-in the name of the local directory to be used to copy those files. By default pages are saved in C:\WEBCACHE\LOCAL.H directory. If this directory exists and is not empty, the user will be asked if he wishes to delete existing files or to use it as is. If the old files had index _INDEX0a.HTM and files are not deleted, the new index will be _INDEX0b.HTM. The new index will also list old indexes for easy browsing. It is recommended not putting a large number of files in a single directory (more than 1000): because saving will take longer and there may be problems with naming local files or the DOS file system.

    There are two additional Save options:

    Before saving files you might want to alter appearance of _INDEX0?.HTM file which will be found in the Localization directory. Do this by changing Options | Filter and Options | Show.

    SAVING REMARKS

    5. OPTIONS

    All options apply to Scan Cache, Scan Bookmarks and Save pages except 'Server separation' and 'New window' which do not apply to Scan Bookmarks, and Sorting options which apply to Scan Cache only.

    Filtering options

    Show options

    Sorting options

    Sorting options are used to change the order of lines which appear in CACHE.HTM list. Sorting may be:

    General options

    Save options is used to save settings of all the above options so the same settings will appear next time you run the program. If options are changed and not saved the program will ask you if you want to save options when you try to close Webcache.

    Restore defaults is used to return options to installed defaults.

    Echo address option is used if you wish to see URL addresses while scanning cache.

    Configure option is used to change paths to NAVIGATOR.EXE (to be able to run it), FAT.DB (file which contains cache information), BOOKMARK.HTM (file with your bookmarks), as explained in the Installation section. This option is used on first run or when you install a new version of Navigator or WebCache.

    6. LEGAL

    This program is tested and believed to be free of bugs. There is however no guarantee that this program will perform expected duty, and that will not harm your machine, data or user in any way.

    Mentioned hardware and software products are (C) of their producers. This program is SHAREWARE and requires payment to the author. Commercial use requires license by the author.

    You may re-distribute complete unmodified package to BBS, Internet, CD-ROM, providing:

    7. ORDER FORM - REGISTRATION

    This program is SHAREWARE and requires payment to the author. It is the full feature version and free to test for 1 month. After 1 month you will have to register to have full version.

    Feel free to write me comments using e-mail or picture-card.

    PRICE NEW USER : 15 US$ or equivalent in convertible currency.

    PRICE UPGRADE USER: 7 US$ or equivalent in convertible currency.

    If you find this program useful please send cash in opaque letter or bankers check payable to:

    e-mail: davor.zorc@fsb.hr

    homepage: http://www.fsb.hr/~dzorc

    Experience shows that personal checks or bankers checks from USA and European Union banks are accepted. EuroChecks and postal checks are NOT accepted. According to your satisfaction with program, state of your finances or state of your country, do modify above sum. Money you send will be used for future program improvements.

    Or, send music CD or cassette of popular/ethnic/jazz/rock music of YOUR country! (instead of money, to the above address - e-mail me your proposal).

    Registered version with code will be sent to registered users as encoded e-mail to the address you supply or on the diskette. You get also free registered upgrades within at least 6 months.

    Latest version may be found on SimTel repository:

    or WinSite (CICA) archive:

    or using Web browser at: http://www.winsite.com or http://www.hotfiles.com or http://www.tucows.com and search for: webcache.

    There are many mirror sites of those archives around the world.

    Please visit WebCache homepage :

    To register, double click on ORDERFRM.TXT in WebCache group. Fill this form, print it and send it by mail with your payment. You will receive Registration Name and Registration Code which you may enter in WebCache menu: Go | Register to make unlimited registered copy. Once registered, the same menu item will show your name.

    <-------------------------- cut here order form -------------------------->

    ___________________________________________________________________
    Registration form for : WebCache
    webca430.zip View and save pages from Navigator local cache
    ___________________________________________________________________
    Name:____________________________ Address: ________________________
    City, State: ____________________________ Country: ________________
    Zip:__________________      e-mail: _______________________________
    Windows version:_____  Navigator ver.:______  WebCache ver.:_______
    Delivery: 3 1/2" diskette [ ]      e-mail [ ]        code only [ ]
    Included US$:_____________ cash [ ] check [ ]
    Comments, suggestions for future updates, bugs, complaints:
    ___________________________________________________________________
    ___________________________________________________________________
    ___________________________________________________________________
    Where did you get this file:
    ___________________________________________________________________

    <-------------------------- cut here order form -------------------------->

    8. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

    Many thanks to Peter Rader for his suggestions and help on making help file.

    I am gratefull to my friend Leonardo Jelenkovic for much of what I know about computers.

    Thanks to Borland for finest program development tools on earth.

    I also want to thank many users from USA, Germany, Pakistan, Britain, Brasil, Spain, France, Canada, Taiwan, South Africa, Australia, Italy, Austria, Israel, Swiss, Macedonia and other countries for their comments and support.

    9. MESSAGE DIALOGUES

    Here is the list of all message dialogues:

    10. REVISIONS HISTORY

    * = published

    Picture WebCache HomePage