The IE4 Central Active Channel brings the web site to you for offline viewing and automatic updating (if you want it). A channel is just a web site and can be viewed normally within a Web browser. But when the Web author makes a Channel Definition Format file for the Web page, it is then possible to subscribe and recieve updates, and even have Internet Explorer automatically download them to your computer.

Starting an Active Channel

1. Select the channel that you want
2. Right click and select "Open Channel" from the popup menu
3. A new browser window will open and the web page for the channel will be displayed
4. Click the Add Active Channel image
and the following box will appear:

 

5. Select which method of notification you want (if any).
6. Click Customize... to modify any scheduling or delivery properties.
7. Wait for the channel to download for the first time. This should take about 20-30 seconds.
8. Channel options will appear under its name in the channel list.

Right clicking on a channel in the Channel Explorer bar gives you access to a few of the key functions for managing channels.