The Open Button

The Open Button is your primary means of moving around through your area on inforM. The Open Button has two main functions:

• To enter a directory.
• To open a file for editing.

Scroll up and down the file box via the scroll bars until you see the desired file or directory. Click on the name of the file or directory using the mouse so it becomes highlighted (usually in blue). Then click on the Open Button.

If you have selected to open a directory, then you will be taken into that directory and presented with another standard main WebSpinner page, complete with path listing, file box, and button bar.

When viewing the contents of a directory, the first entry will always either be [DIR] ., ./, or [REFRESH] Highlighting this option and clicking the Open Button will refresh the current directory list.

When working in a subdirectory, the second entry will always be either [DIR].., ../, or [PARENT] Highlighting this option and clicking the Open Button will move to the parent directory of the current directory and display its contents.

What you see when you select a file

If you have selected an image file (that is a file ending in ".gif," ".jpg," or ".jpeg"), then the image will be displayed.

HTML Files

If you have selected an HTML file, then you will be taken to a page that will be similiar to one in the screen shot

Parts to the Open File Page

The file name appears as a hypertext link. When you click this hypertext a new web browser window will open up showing you how the file you are editing will show up on the web when viewed by a web browser. Note: This is how the file looks before any changes are made, so if you make changes don't expect to see them until after you update your file. This feature is also a good way to get the URL of the page you are editing.

Next, you have the option of using a WebSpinner preset style or changing the selected style. If you select a style for the first time, then you will need to enter information in the
Style of the File:
You can select a preset configured style by selecting one of the options. (Preset styles can be created using the style button). If you use a preset style, you MUST fill in the following fields:
1. Document Title: Use project, office, department. The UM box is preselected and will place a comma, University of Maryland after your document title. If you would like further information on how to properly title your page, please see the OITStyle Guide. It is important to properly title the document because the search engine displays that when search results are provided and this is what will appear when people bookmark the page in their bookmarks (or favorites) file.

2. Page Title: Use specific title of page, depending on which style you choose, it will be placed accordingly in the appropriate spot on the page.

3. Author/Developer: A "not required" field, but would be used if you would like to specify the content owner (and use the field to the right as a "mailto", or if you would like to have a webpage associated with an individual as well as an email address.

4. URL/Email: You can enter either a url/webpage such as "www.inform.umd.edu" or an email "person@domain.umd.edu". The WebSpinner will enter the appropriate tags.

5. Email: You can enter either a url/webpage such as "www.inform.umd.edu" or an email "person@domain.umd.edu". The WebSpinner will enter the appropriate tags.

This screen shot will show you graphically where the information appears on the web page.

The next item listed is one of the most powerful on WebSpinner. It is known as the The File Browse Feature. This is an alternative to creating or updating a file directly. Using the File Browse Feature you can upload a copy of a file directly from your hard drive or floppy disk to your inforM directory.

If you don't want to edit the existing file on the system, but would rather edit a file on your hard drive, and then upload this file directly to the system, you can do that as well.

Note: If you use the Browse button to upload files, then it will override any existing document text.

You can use the Browse button to locate a file on your hard drive. After selecting the file, click the Update File button to move the replacement file to the system.

Important Note:Some current versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer (3.01 or lower) do not support the HTML attribute(from HTML version 3.2) which allows the File Upload feature to work properly. If you are planning to use this feature, you must use Netscape or other compatible browser.

Finally, the last part of the page is the editing box where you can edit the contents of your file directly. Use the mouse to place the cursor in the editing box. It works like a standard text editor (though without all the fancy extras). You can edit both text and HTML files in this manner. The size and width of this box may be set using the PREFS Button

After you have made your changes, use your mouse to click on the Preview button or the Update File button. The Preview button allows you to see the changes you have made to your file before you update the file. When you are ready to save the file, select the Update File button. Doing this saves all the changes you have made to the file. Note: Changes will NOT be saved until you have clicked on the Update File button, located at the bottom of the page.

If you are making major changes to a file, you should click the Update File button often. This will ensure that all your hard work will be saved and you won't have to start over from the very beginning if your computer suddenly crashes or there is a power outage.

Text Files

The Open Button page seen when you open a text file works exactly the same as for an HTML file.