WEB

WEB

Support Command

Initiate a browser to access web pages from within Dataplot.

The WEB HELP command is used to specifically access the Dataplot Reference Manual on the web. Likewise, the WEB HANDBOOK is used to access the NIST/SEMATECH Engineering Statistics Handbook.

The WEB comamnd is used to access a generic web page from within Dataplot.

This command is host dependent (it utilizes a "system" call to initiate the browser). It is currently supported for Unix and Windows 95/98/NT platforms. See the Note section below for some SET commands that allow you to specify which browser to use.

WEB <url address>
where <url address> is the URL of the web page you would like to view.

If the <url address> is omitted, then the NIST homepage is acessed. In addition, a few specific keywords are supported:

• NIST - accesses the NIST web page.
• SED - accesses the NIST Statistical Engineering Division web page.

WEB SED
WEB http://www.itl.nist.gov/div898/software/dataplot/
WEB http://www.itl.nist.gov/

The WEB command with no arguments takes you to the NIST web sit.e

By default, Dataplot attempts to use the Netscape browser. On Unix, it attempts to do this by issuing the command "netscape". On Windows 95/NT, it enters
"C:\Program Files\NETSCAPE\NAVIGATOR\PROGRAM\netscape.exe"

If you wish to use a different browser, or if you need to specify a different path for Netscape, you can enter the following command:

SET BROWSER <file name>

where <file name> is the string that activates your preferred browser. In particular, if you prefer to use the Internet Explorer browser under Windows 95/98/NT, you can enter

SET BROWSER "C:\Program Files\Plus!\Microsoft Internet\iexplore.exe"

The enclosing quotes are necessary because the file name contains spaces. Again, you should verify that this is the correct path on your system.

If you need to enter this command, you should consider putting it in you DPLOGF.TEX startup file to make it the default for your system.

Alternatively, you can enter the following operating system command under Unix:

setenv BROWSER <file name>

On Windows 95/98/NT, you can enter the following operating system command:

SET BROWSER=<file name>

The default URL for the WEB command is the NIST home page on the public NIST web server (http://www.nist.gov/). You can change this default by entering the following Dataplot command:
SET URL <location of desired web page>

For example, you may want to change the default to your local site's main web page.

Again, if you need to enter this command, you should consider putting it in you DPLOGF.TEX startup file to make it the default for your system.

Alternatively, you can enter the following operating system command under Unix:

setenv URL <location of web pages>

On Windows 95/98/NT, you can enter the following operating system command:

SET URL=<location of web pages>

On Unix platforms, you can send the WEB HELP request to a currently open browser. This can significantly improve performance.

To use a currently open Netscape browser, enter the command

SET NETSCAPE OLD

To open a new browser, even if a browser is currently open, enter the command

SET NETSCAPE NEW

The default is NEW. This option is ignore for non-Netscape browsers and on the Windows 95/98/NT platforms.

One difference between the Unix and PC versions of this command should be noted.

Under Unix, once the WEB HELP command initiates the browser, control returns to Dataplot. You can independently navigate in the browser and enter additional Dataplot commands.

Under Windows 95/98/NT, once the browser is initiated, control does not return to Dataplot until the browser is closed.

None

None

HELP	= Access the online help files.
WEB HELP	= Access the online Dataplot Reference Manual.
WEB HANDBOOK	= Access the online Dataplot Reference Manual.
PROBE	= Displays the value of an internal variable.
SET	= Sets the value of an internal variable.

On-Line Help

7/1997

WEB http://www.myfavoritesite.com/