Using the Information Center


Information, hints, tips and help related to using the Information Center.

What browsers are supported?

The Information Center requires a browser that supports:

Examples of such browsers are Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 or higher and Netscape Navigator Version 4.07 or higher.

It is recommended that JavaScript be enabled in the browser. If you use a different or earlier version of a browser, your pages may format differently and some functions may not work correctly. Also, the Information Center uses Java applets to create the Search and the collapsible Table of Contents. Not all browsers support these applets. Therefore, there is an alternate HTML-based Table of Contents that you may select to use if you have trouble with the Java-based Table of Contents.

How do I bookmark?

Bookmarking a Web page that uses frames is a quick two-step process:

  1. Right-click anywhere in the frame that you want to bookmark.
  2. Select Add Bookmark if you are using Netscape Navigator.
    Select Add to Favorites if you are using Microsoft(R) Internet Explorer.

    Note: When appropriate you may want to rename the bookmarked page to reflect the content; otherwise, you may replace any previous Information Center bookmarks. Some browsers automatically assign a unique name based upon the page name.

When you use your new bookmark, your browser opens the specific page that you selected when you created the bookmark without opening the other frames that were displayed originally.

How do I navigate the Information Center?

The Information Center uses frames to help you navigate through the content. The navigation frame, on the left, may display the table of contents or the search. The content frame, on the right, shows you the information. This is the frame you will most likely want to bookmark or print. The banner frame, on the top, is the Information Center masthead. You can use it to select different ways of navigating the Information Center. Finally, the footer frame, on the bottom, contains options for showing the Java or HTML version of the table of contents, and external links to resources on the internet.

The navigation frame at the left is available in both a JavaTM version and an HTML version. Click the appropriate icon in the footer frame below the navigation frame to select the one you prefer. In the Java table of contents, click the topic to view the subtopics. Click it again to hide the subtopics.

Hint: To expand or collapse all subtopics, press the control key while clicking on the parent topic.

What are the links in the banner for?

Contents loads an applet-based table of contents that allows you to show and hide sections of the table of contents. If the applet does not load, use the HTML link to access an HTML version of the table of contents. Each time you click on Contents the applet reloads, collapsing all items in the table of contents.

Search launches the search feature, if available. When you click Search an input field and Search button should replace the table of contents. The search function utilizes a Java applet and may not work on all browsers. For more information on the search, refer to Using the WebSphere Information Center search, that opens in the right frame, when search is launched.

HTML loads an HTML table of contents. The HTML version allows you to view the table of contents if the navigation applet does not load.

PDF loads a PDF library, which consists of all the information available in PDF. PDF files are best used for printing and searching the information.

What if the navigation does not work?

The default table of contents uses a Java applet, which allows you to expand and collapse topics. If the navigation frame is blank, you may be using a browser that does not support Java, does not have Java enabled, or your Java Virtual Machine (for Internet Explorer, the Microsoft Virtual Machine) may not be the latest version. Click the HTML icon in the banner to use the HTML version of the table of contents.

How do I print information from the Information Center?

Because you may want to read and work with hardcopy information, the Information Center includes PDF files of topics that can be viewed and printed.

  1. First, select a specific PDF file, which opens it in a new browser window.
  2. Then to print, follow one of these steps:

This allows you to print the individual article without including the information in the navigation frame.

How do I search the Information Center?

The Information Center shipped with this product does not include a search function at this time. This is being planned for a future release. Until a search function is implemented, use the PDF files provided to search the information.

What is the Web Library (in the footer)?

If you are connected to the internet, clicking on Web Library in the footer will launch a new browser window and open the WebSphere Library page, which contains links to the Library pages for individual WebSphere products. The Library pages typically contain the latest version of documentation such as release notes, readme files, specification sheets, installation guides, and instruction manuals. There may also be links to related white papers and IBM Redbooks.

What is the Web Site (in the footer)?

If you are connected to the internet, clicking on Web Site in the footer will launch a new browser window and open the main Web site for IBM WebSphere products. The Web site contains links to the latest news and information about all WebSphere products, including support, downloads, documentation, services, and events.

How do I adjust the browser's font size?

A cascading style sheet (CSS) governs the appearance of the Information Center. However, the text size remains flexible. The text is displayed in the size indicated in the user's Web browser settings.

The instructions for changing the font size vary between browser brands and versions. Consult the browser product documentation for instructions.