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Using this web site


Browser Version

This Web site is designed to work on the widest possible range of operating systems and browsers. The AFM web site and the applications used within work most effectively using Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher. By using a relatively modern Java- and JavaScript-enabled browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher, or Netscape Communicator 4.1 or higher, you will be able to view most of the site. If you are using an older browser, you may choose to upgrade to a more recent version:

Get Netscape Navigator Now (http://home.netscape.com/computing/download/index.html)
Get Internet Explorer Now (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/)

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Screen Resolution

The AFM web site works best with a screen resolution of 800x600 or better, but it will work on all screen resolution settings. The "Web-safe" colour palette of 216 colours has been used. You can set/check what your resolution is by opening StartMenu/Settings/ControlPanel/Display. Choose the settings tab.


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Images

Images on our web site which are in the public domain may be used without permission. Please note that some images on our site have been obtained from other organizations. Permission to use these images should be obtained directly from those organizations.

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Links

Links may be made to our web site from other personal and organizational web pages. We request that you link to our site rather than downloading portions of it to another web server, so that our viewers will see our most current information.

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Access for Disabled Persons

If you are a person with a disability and have trouble using our web site, services, products, or facilities, please tell us about the problem. You also may write to us at

USDA - Agricultural Research Service
Administrative and Financial Management
Information Technology Division
5601 Sunnyside Avenue
Beltsville, Maryland 20705

 

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Technical Web Site Problems

If you encounter technical difficulties while using our Web site, such as a bad link or a file that won't download properly, please tell us the URL of the page that needs to be fixed. Also, if you have general comments about the design or presentation of the AFM web site, please let us know. Send your message to our Web Team.

How can I learn about getting around in my browser?

Since there is not a "standard" browser (many of us use Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, or Netscape Communicator just to name a few), it would be difficult to address all the different browsers here. Therefore, we suggest that the best way to learn to navigate with your browser is to go to the Help option at the top of your screen. Another thing that is very important is to brush up on your Windows skills. We cannot stress the importance of this enough!

Why doesn't my screen look the same as Joe's down the hall?

Well, there are several reasons things don't look the same.

First, you may have a different browser. Not only do Netscape and Internet Explorer display things differently, but different versions of Netscape display things differently than the previous version. The same holds true for Internet Explorer.

Second, you may not have the same size of monitor. This can make a real difference as to what is displayed.

Third, your monitor resolution may be set differently than the person next to you. I have found that using 800X600 resolution works pretty good at getting most things to display. If you need assistance with this, please contact your local or Area computer staff.

Why won't my e-mail work?

In order to send mail electronically, you must have set up your browser preferences for e-mail. In Netscape, click on Options, Mail & News Preferences, Server, to insert your e-mail information. In Internet Explorer, click on Tools, Internet Options, the Programs Tab, and set up your identity and e-mail.

Printing

Printing web pages is generally as simple as pushing the print button on your browser, but you can have problems with the following:

PDF Issues

Printing a .pdf document
Open a required document in the Reader by clicking on the link.
Select File-Print from the menu bar in the Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Low-end printers cannot handle large Adobe Acrobat documents. Send the document to the printer in sections to avoid printer memory overload.

Saving a .pdf document
On your computer, make a directory into which the document will be saved (e.g. c:\download).
On the website, locate the document you wish to download.
Right click on the link to the required document and select Save Target As (Internet Explorer) / Save Link As (Netscape) from the drop-down menu.
When prompted, specify a drive and directory into which the document should be saved (e.g. c:\download).
Click on Save / OK to save the document.