Download hints and helps for any computer. Various browsers. For users downloading any files:

Suggested software: MicroSoft Word (Version 4.0 or greater), Nisus, WordPerfect, and Stuffit, WinZip, or PKUnZip.

If you don't have Stuffit:

AOL users: Connect to AOL, use Keyword: File Search. When the dialog box opens, type Stuffit, and click on Search. You will find programs available for downloading for either Macintosh or IBM compatibles. For the latter, there is a DOS level 'Unstuff' program available.

Some of these files are compressed with Stuffit. They have to be expanded with Stuffit. Before you download any files with a .sit suffix, go to Aladdin Systems, Inc.'s Web Site and download Stuffit for your computer. Regardless of your computer platform, you will need an expander program,
The Macintosh Version of Stuffit.
The IBM Compatible Version (Windows 3.1, 95, 98, and DOS).

Netscape:

If you are using Netscape (preferably Version 3.0 or later) the simplest procedure is to click on the link to the desired file on the directory page. Depending upon the positions of the Sun, the Moon and the Stars, the series of dialog boxes (below) may appear if you are downloading the Zipped version.

In the dialog box, click on "Save file" unless you want to tour the unseen. At this point, another dialog box will likely appear.

Click on "Save". Another dialog box will appear. Again, depending upon the positions of the Sun, the Moon and the Stars, this may be the only dialog box you will see:

Microsoft Internet Explorer:

MSIE is similar to Netscape, in that it will display a dialog box after you tell the program to 'Download Link to Disk'. The dialog box does not require selecting a Format, and is shown below. Just click on "Save".

Older Versions of America OnLine Browsers:

Those who are using AOL Version 2.7 or earlier with Web Browser 1.1 will have no problems in downloading any of the files, or the entire Index.

When you select a file for download, a new, small window (see below) will appear in the upper left corner of your screen, and will keep track of the download process. When the window indicates "Transfer complete.", click on the 'Save' button in the small windows' menubar, and then select the destination folder where you would like to save the data.

The procedure for unstuffing and decoding the files:

Locate the folder (it may be a file, not a folder) to which the downloaded file(s) were saved. Using Stuffit or or your favorite expander program, expand the file(s). You will then have a copy of the (original) downloaded file(s), and the expanded file(s). The expanded file(s) will have the name: ADXRTF, which is: (A [an alphabetical designator] inDeX.Rich Text Format).

MicroSoft Word:

Open your word processor. From within the word processor, open each of the files just expanded. A dialog box will ask whether the RTF coding should be interpreted.

Click on "Yes". The file will open. Quickly check the columns, using the 'Show Ruler' command under 'Format' on the menubar. The margins and the tab stops should be as in the table below. This is a rough guide to adequately separate the columns--you can set the stops as you wish.

CAUTION: If you want to adjust any of the margins, tabs, etc., in Word, first, under 'Format' in the menubar, select 'Show Ruler', then select the the entire document ('Select Whole Document' under 'Document' in the menubar) before any adjustments are made. Move the margin and tab indicators on the ruler as necessary.

The file should then be saved (in Normal format) with whatever you wish to use as a name for the file. (See the note: "Extra Files" below.)

Nisus and WordPerfect: Start the application. When it is loaded, under 'File" on the menubar, select 'Open...' Locate the file just expanded in the dialog box, and either double-click on the file, or click on the Open button. The file should open without any fanfare, merely indicating that it is interpreting RTF text.

If you want to adjust the tab stops, make sure the cursor is flashing at the beginning of the first line  in the document. Use the 'Show Ruler' command to allow you to adjust the tab stop indicators as desired.

Save the file with whatever you wish to use as a name for the file.

Extra Files: Remember--when any file is processed--that there are still two extra files that have to do with the file you just decoded--the original compressed file, and the expanded files that are in RTF format. Put all of these extra files in the Trash, after you've processed them. Otherwise they will merely clutter up your hard drive.

Time to download:

Once this page of instructions is printed, go to the Directory and download the file(s) you want, and then process them as above.

If you want to read the ASCII text files without  downloading them to your hard drive, go to the BULLETIN page on the NAWCC server, and follow the instructions. A note of caution: The files are rather large, and will take quite a while to load. If you wish, you can search the Index online Online Search on the NAWCC Web site.

This re-formatted Index is a service to the members of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors.

Problems? Questions? Comments? E-mail me at:DonnL@aol.com