What is a ``Viewer''?

The VTP (WWW Viewer Test Page) was designed to test the various external viewers (Helper Applications) that are used with Web browsers like Mosaic, Netscape, Arena, etc.

Usually, you have to configure a few of these viewers yourself and may even have to get the software and set it up. The VTP allows you to get the software, configure your browser to work with it, and test your configuration.

The VTP consists of a few phases:

1. Get the viewer software (if you don't already have it)
2. Configure your Web browser
3. Test the viewer

Getting the Viewer

The Acquisition/Setup/Configuration sections for the various MIME types are accessed on the left side of the VTP's main screen (the various text phrases). The actual testing portion occurs on the right side of the VTP's main screen via the TEST buttons.

Basically, you need to:


1. get the software for each section by selecting that section's type.
   
   
2. then get the software appropriate for your platform.
   
   
3. then uncompressing the software and follow the installation instructions that came with the software.
   
   
   

   Don't worry, it's really easy. It just takes a little bit of time.

Configuring your Web browser

To configure your Web browser for use with the viewer that you just set up, all you have to do is follow the instructions in the section about that data type. For instance, if you want to set up an external GIF viewer, just follow the directions in the section called


GIF image

on the VTP's main screen.

Testing the Viewer

After the software is installed and you've told your Web browser how to access it, then it's time to actually test it to make sure that everything works:

1. go back to the VTP main screen
   
   
2. press the TEST button for the data type(s) that you just set up

The more generic viewers are near the top of the list. The more specialized viewers (some of which are still under development) are down near the bottom of the list. Depending on how you've set everything up, you should be able to just go down the list and press most of the test buttons (one button for each viewer that you've set up).

Return to the WWW Viewer Test Page's Main Screen

If you have questions about this page, contact:

Last Modified: July 22, 1995

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