Upgrading Netscape

Communicator for the Mac

by Alicia M. Bartol & Jennifer Zink

pgrading your Internet browser, the program in which you are viewing this article, is painless and free. Software companies regularly provide online upgrades that resolve bugs on previous versions and that have new features to match the ever-evolving capabilities of the Net.

If you haven't upgraded your browser recently, or ever, some sites or content may be entirely inaccessible. Newer browsers allow you to view cutting-edge Web pages and may contain plugins for newer online audio-visual technology. These browsers may also make your surfing experience more efficient, because glitches in the previous software will have been eliminated.

The idea of upgrading your browser might seem a little threatening the first time, but don't fret. First, you will download the appropriate files from the Netscape Web site, which means you will save them onto your computer form. Then you will install these files, meaning that you will activate the program on your computer. Installing the new program will not overwrite the old program, but it will make use of your old preferences and settings. For example, all of your old bookmarks will transfer into the new version. If you are using Netscape Messenger as your default e-mail program, the settings and address book will also transfer to the newer version of the program. We'll explain downloading and installing in detail, but first you need to know a little bit about your computer, so that you download the correct files.

What is your "OS " and available RAM?

f you don't already know your OS, or operating system, now's the time to learn. Some operating systems are too old to support the newest browsers, but an older OS may still be compatible with an Internet browser version that is more recent than the one you are running now. For our purposes, we'll assume you have the capability to use the latest version of Communicator, which is Netscape Communicator 4.73. To run this latest version on a Mac, you need OS 7.6.1 or later. If you have an earlier OS, which means one with a lower number, you'll need to download a less recent version of Communicator.

1. To check the OS of your computer, click on your desktop, This deselects any program you might have open.
2. Click on the Apple in the top left-hand corner of your screen.
3. Select About this Computer as you see in the image below.

When you release the mouse-button, a pop-up window will appear with information about your computer. The number of your OS will appear in this window, usually near the top. See the example below, where the OS is conspicuously displayed, both as the header, and on the first line, as the statistic called Version.

In addition to your operating system, you also may want to know how much available RAM, or random access memory, you have. You can learn this from the window that appears in the image above also. Your available RAM is the number that follows the phrase largest unused block, in this case, 16 megabytes. A browser upgrade may not fit if you don't have enough memory. If you think you may not have enough RAM, talk to your technology coordinator. They might be able to help you make more RAM available.

What's your current version?

ou need to know the current version of your Internet browser in order to know what updates you will need to download. You may be running version 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, or one of their interim releases, like 4.61. If you are running a version later than 4.0, you can use SmartUpdate, which allows you to download a small number of files that will upgrade your current version. This saves time by avoiding a full download of the latest browser, and downloading and installation has fewer steps. If you have an older browser, one with a version below 4.0, you'll have to do a complete download of the latest browser. To find out what version you are running:

1. Open Netscape Communicator.
2. Click on the Help menu.
3. Select About Communicator. A Web page will appear that tells you the version of your browser. Write down this number if you think you may forget it.

Where do I download the new version?

nce you know the number of your OS, the available RAM, and the version of your current browser, you're ready to download the new files for Communicator. If you have a browser whose version is 4.0 or above, read the directions for newer browser upgrades. If you have a browser whose version is under 4.0, read the directions for older browser upgrades.

Upgrading a recent browser with SmartUpdate

f you're trying to upgrade with SmartUpdate, you must have a version of Netscape Communicator 4.0 or later. To access these files, follow these steps:

• First, open your current browser and go to the SmartUpdate page.
• On the right-hand side of the page, you'll see an image like the one below. Click on the link that says: Click here to select software.

ow you will choose what software to download. In addition to the basic browser upgrade, you will have the opportunity to download a variety of 3D & animation, and audio & video applications that will enhance the functionality of your browser. Remember that these will take up a little more memory on your hard drive, so consider forgoing the extras if you don't have a lot of space on your computer. Continue through these steps:

First, select the software you want by checking the appropriate box. See the image below. Then click the Next category link.

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About four screens similar to the one above will appear, all with different choices concerning Netscape software files, 3D & animation, and audio & video. At a minimum, you will want to choose the Communicator software, as well as the e-mail import utilities if you use Netscape to send and receive messages. Choose only what you want. The more files you choose, the more accessible all Web content will be to you, but the longer your download will take.

When you have reached the end of the possible downloadable software, a confirmation screen will appear. Take a look at the example below, so you know what it looks like. When you are done reviewing the selections, if you are happy with your choices, go ahead and click Next step. If you want to make changes, use the Back button on your browser.

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he next step asks you to register or sign in. If you have never registered at Netcenter, do so now. It's free. After you've registered, you'll be prompted to download the software. Here is what the download prompts will look like.

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Once you click download, a download manager will appear, telling you how to proceed. By using SmartUpdate, each item is installed as soon as it is downloaded. Read the download manager to bide your time while the files are installed to your computer. If you have further questions about SmartUpdate, view their frequently asked questions.

f your browser is a version older than 4.0, updating will take a bit longer. Note that a SmartUpdate, which is much faster, takes 66 minutes with a 28.8k modem, so plan accordingly. To upgrade an older browser:

1. Open your current Netscape Communicator
2. Go to the Netscape Communicator complete download site. In the center of this page you will see downloading options. Under the Complete Download of Communicator 4.73, double click Mac PowerPC (OS 7.6.1 or later).

Getting started

ou now have the preliminary files required to download Netscape Communicator onto your computer. You need to activate these files on your computer in preparation for the second download.

1. Minimize or close any open windows on your desktop.
2. Look for a new icon from Netscape on your desktop, and double click on it.
   
3. After reading the message from Alladin Systems, click continue.
4. Click save. Your computer will start unstuffing the files it just downloaded, and give you a new icon.
   
   
   
   
5. Double click this new icon.
6. A window containing the files you downloaded will appear.
7. Within the window that just popped up, there will be a file named start here. Open this file.
8. Read and accept the product license before you click on accept.
9. You will now be given the opportunity to print the instructions. If you wish to print, click continue.

Installing your browser

ou're now to the installation stage. Your mail, bookmarks, and other preferences will be preserved in this transition.

1. Your computer screen should display an installation window. In the upper left hand corner check that easy install is selected.
   
   
   
   
2. In the lower right hand corner click install. A warning screen should pop up. It will give you the option to automatically restart your computer after installation is complete. If you do not select this option, we recommend you restart manually after installing your new browser.
3. Your new browser files will now begin installing on your computer. This may take a few minutes, so just kick back and wait. When the files have finished installing, another pop-up window will verify that you want to restart your computer. Go ahead and click ok.
   

Where did it go?

ongratulations, you have downloaded Netscape Communicator onto your computer! The only challenge left is finding it.

1. If you restarted your computer, no programs should be open. If anything is open, close it. To do this, select File and quit.
2. While on the desktop, press the apple key and the F key. This opens up a "find" utility.
3. In the text field, key in the word "Netscape" and hit return. Your search will return any files with this name. You can see a partial list below.
   
   
   
   You are looking for the application program. The type of file is listed in the second column. You will be able to tell a new browser version from an old one by the date in the third column. One is the older version, and one is the recent one, version 4.73.
4. Open the new browser, and go through and check your mail and bookmarks to ensure that everything has been transferred correctly.
5. If everything is running smoothly, which it should, you can now drag the obsolete version of Netscape Communicator Folder into the trash. If this makes you nervous, ask your tech coordinator to help you uninstall the old browser.

From now on, you should be able to use SmartUpdate to upgrade your browser. See the directions for SmartUpdate to learn how. You can check back every now and then to see if a new version has come out. Keeping your browser updated is quick, easy, and worthwhile. Happy browsing!