Library Systems

Help Using Text Browsers

Library patrons accessing the web pages via their Tigger or Icarus (unix) accounts, are less than 5% of the total usage of the web page. Nevertheless, the Library is committed to maintaining accessibility via these methods, for disabled patrons and users with low-speed connections.

Users with graphical browsers (such as Netscape or Internet Explorer) may prefer these over the text interfaces.

Lynx

If you use tigger or icarus (unix systems) you are probably using the lynx web browser. Start this program by typing lynx (lower-case). Or, go directly to the library web page by typing

lynx http://www.uic.edu/depts/lib/

This browser will display text for all images. Tables will display row by row, wrapping. For this reason we try to design our web pages with tables that can be read accurately row by row. Special characters, such as cedilles, accents, and graves, will not display correctly. Links will be underlined. The link your cursor is on will be highlighted.

Key commands in lynx:

g to enter a URL and go to a page
? for help
q to quit
up- and down-arrow keys to go forward and back within a document
left- and right-arrow keys to go back and forth between documents

You may navigate through a document in lynx by pressing the up-arrow key to move backward, or the down-arrow key or space bar to move forward. The arrow keys will go from link to link and will page forward at the bottom of a page. You may select a link either by pressing ENTER or the right-arrow key when your cursor is on that link. You may return to the previous page by pressing the left-arrow key. Lynx tells you the page you are on and the total number of pages in the upper right hand corner of your screen (example: (p 1 of 2)).

Filling Out Forms

You will need to fill out forms to renew books, check out books, send a comment to the library, etc. Press the up and down arrow keys to move between parts of the form.

Type over blank lines to fill in text
Radio buttons will be indicated with (*) (selected) and ( ) (unselected). Move your cursor to a radio button and press ENTER to select or unselect it. (You may only choose one of any set of radio buttons.)
Drop-down menus will be indicated by text in brackets: [faculty] . Move your cursor to this field and press ENTER to see all the possible choices. Then move your cursor to your selection and press ENTER.
Checkboxes will be indicated with brackets: [ ] (unselected) or [X] (selected). Move your cursor to the checkbox and press ENTER to select or unselect it. (You may select as many choices as you like.)
To submit a form move your cursor to text that says "Submit" or "Send It Now" or something similar, and press ENTER. Submit buttons are not designated with anything other than text.

For more detailed help on lynx, log into your Tigger/Icarus Unix account, type lynx then press ?.

If you have further questions, please contact the Library Systems Group using the Technical Help Request form.

Last updated: Wednesday, 09-Apr-2003 14:32:54 CDT

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