This site is best viewed using with a Microsoft's Internet Explorer 5.0X or Mozilla Firefox 1.0 or later versions. If you are having problems using the site and your web browser is an older version, try upgrading as a first step. Upgrading will also assist you with viewing many of the other sites on the web. To get your free updated version of these browsers click on the above links (the underlined words). Note that you will leave this site for the vendor's site to select the upgrade. Remember that it will take a few minutes to download the upgrade. You will then need to reboot (re-start ) your computer and re-visit this site to use your upgraded browser.

For help using Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox, choose help on the browser menu and select from the help contents on the pull-down menu.

Forgotten your password? Click here and follow the instruction on getting your password.

How do I read and download copies of documents posted to this site?

TIP #1: Install Adobe Acrobat Reader

Many sites offer documents in a format that requires Adobe Acrobat, a special program to help you read files (usually designated as PDF files). It will save you time to install the program before you want to download a document. The program is available for free copy of the Adobe website http://www.adobe.com. (The basic reader is available without cost. Just wade through the ads.)

Warning for the impatient It will take some time to download the Adobe Acrobat program and you will need to restart your computer before using it.

Tip #2 Some files can be downloaded into any word processor

RTF is a basic file that can be downloaded into any word processor. If you are using Mozilla, choose Options, General Preferences, and click on the Helper's tab. Scroll through the list of file types and highlight "application/rtf." On the bottom of this window, click the box "Launch the Application" and then click on the browse button. Find your word processing program on your computer's hard drive and click on the Open button. This will put the path to your word processor at the bottom of the Helper window, telling your computer to launch your word processing program when you download documents in RTF.

If you are using Microsoft's Internet Explorer, choose View, Options, and click on the File Types tab. Scroll through the list of file types, and highlight Rich-Text Format. Click on the Edit button. In the Actions window, choose Open, and click on the Edit button. Click on the Browse button, and find your word processor program on your computer's hard drive. Click on the Open button. This will put the path to your word processor in the "Application used to perform action" field. Click on OK to choose the "Editing action for type: Rich-Text Format" window. Once again, highlight Open in the Edit File Type window, and click on the Set Default button. Click OK. Close the Options window.

TIP #3 Virus Detection

Check to make sure that your system has an updated version of a virus detection software before downloading any files. While the links listed on these pages are hosted by reputable agencies and organizations, there is no guarantee that problems will not occur.

Have a TIP? Send it in! Please put "Research Tips" in the subject line of your email.

How do I print? If you are interested in printing the contents of one of these pages, you will need to click "File" in the toolbar for your web browser at the top of the page and choose "Print" from the pull-down menu. On some pages, you will only be able to print one side of the screen that you see at a time. In order to print the other side.

If you want to print everything as it appears on your screen, use the "Print Screen" key at the top of your keyboard. This will copy the screen view (including all of the buttons and bars as well as the text) into the memory of your computer. You can now print it by opening your word processing program (for example - MSWord). Open a new page and use the "cut and paste" function to paste this information into the document. You can now print it using the usual "Print" choice under the "File" button in the toolbar at the top of your word processing page.

How can I make comments or suggestions? The "What's Next section" offers descriptions of website projects underway, your comments on these plans and a link to post your ideas on other items you would like to see on the site.

Still having problems?
Contact our website host for technical problems. Please include information about what browser and operating system you are using and what pages you have trouble viewing.

Contact Ayn Crawley