SciFinder Scholar - Launching SciFinder from a browser
(from the SciFinder Scholar "Help" FAQs)
Q: How do I launch SciFinder from a Web browser?
A: Although this is not a fully supported feature of SciFinder, the following
procedure has been successfully tested on Windows 95 and Windows NT using the
most common browsers.
One way to launch SciFinder, or any application, from a Web browser is a special
program designed for that purpose. Another way, described here, is to create
a MIME type and associate that type with SciFinder. You could also set up a
link on the web site with this syntax.
<
a href="file:///c:\scifinder.zzz">Scifinder</a>.
The only problem with this is that every client file must be in the same location.
We suggest creating the file with the special extension (explained in the versions
below), opening the page (outlined in the Netscape instructions), and creating
a bookmark for the location.
Instructions for creating and associating a MIME type with SciFinder using Netscape Communicator 4.0 for Windows.
1. Go to the Edit menu and choose Preferences to open the Preferences dialog box.
2. Choose Applications.
3. Click New Type. This opens the New Type dialog box with four fields.
4. In Description of type, enter your choice (something like "SciFinder launch").
5. In File extension, make up a file extension. Example: zzx
6. In MIME Type, enter: application/x-scifinder
7. In Application to use, enter the path of the SciFinder program (or use the Browse button).8. Click OK to close the New Type box.
9. Click OK to close the Preferences box.
10. Create a file with a zzx extension. Example: c:\scifinder.zzx Note: The file must contain some data, so put some characters in the file.
11. Point your browser to this location: file:///c:\scifinder.zzx.
You'll probably get a message asking whether to open the file or save it to disk. Open the file, and SciFinder should start.
Instructions for creating and associating a MIME type with SciFinder using Internet Explorer 4.0 for Windows.
1. Click My Computer on the desktop.
2. Click View from the pulldown menu.
3. Click Options.
4. Click File Types.
5. Click New Type.
6. Insert this information:Description of type: SciFinder Application
Associated Extension: .zzx
Content Type (MIME): application/x-scifinder7. Click the New button located under the Actions box. The New Action dialog box displays.
8. In the Actions: field, type: open
9. Under Application used... Browse your files and select scifinder. (Example location: c:\scifindr\scifindr.exe)
10. Click OK.
11. Deselect Confirm open after download.
12. Click Close.
13. Click Close.
14. Close the My Computer window.
15. Create a file with a zzx extension. Example: c:\scifinder.zzx
Note: The file must contain some data, so put some characters in the file.
16. Point your browser to this location: file:///c:\scifinder.zzx You'll probably get a message asking whether to open the file or save it to disk. Open the file, and SciFinder should start.
17. Bookmark the location.
Copyright © 1997 - 1999 by the American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.
The University's "Key Contact" person for the SciFinder Scholar
trial is Colin Bates, Geelong and E-Campus Manager, Library.
Please email Colin Bates on colinb@deakin.edu.au with any questions related
to the use of SciFinder Scholar.
Last updated 20 October 2004. The URL for this page is: http://www.deakin.edu.au/library/search/title/scifinderweb.php
