What is Link Manager (LM)?

LM is a portable means of organising your web links. It works in a similar fashion to "Favorites" in Internet Explorer, but it is considerably more flexible and easy to use. Extra facilities will be added in the coming months to make it even more useful.

Why use Link Manager?

The main reason is the fact that it is portable. Your list of links are stored in a database on a Web Server - therefore they are available on any computer, worldwide, on which you log into the system. The list of links stored in Explorer is normally available just on a single machine or, at best, on a company intranet. LM is also easy and engaging to use, and a handy way of storing and managing hundreds of web links.

Why do I have to log in?

Each user's set of links is stored separately on the database - without the requirement to log in, there would be no way of telling one user's set of links from another. You first have to register - this involves specifying a user name and password, as well as your name and e-mail address. None of these details will be passed on to any third party.

Is the system secure?

Your details are kept in a private folder on the Web server, which is not accessible other than to the web server, which extracts your links and transmits them to your browser when you log in. A future enhancement will permit you to encrypt your links. The system uses cookies only to preserve login information from one session to the left, and then only if you click "remember my details" when you register; if you log out explicitly, the cookie is deleted. Other than the (optional) cookie, no information is stored, and no software needs to be installed, on your computer.

Does the system on this screen work?

The only functional difference between the links displayed here, and those available when you register and log in, is that you cannot update any of the information on this page. You can examine the menus to see how the system works, but the "Submit" button is greyed-out. In addition, the space available for your own links on this screen only is restricted to the left-hand column; when you log in, you get the whole screen.

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How do I use the system?

With the folders displayed in the box in the left-hand column:

• Left-click on a folder name to display the links contained within it.
• Left-click on the arrow to the left of a folder name to display or hide the subfolders (or use the Expand radio-buttons).
• Left-click on the circle to the right of a folder name for a menu - this allows you to add, delete, or move a folder.

When you click on a folder name, a new box is opened with a header, showing the folder name, and list of contents.

• Left-click on the folder header to display a menu - allowing you to add a folder or link to the current folder. See below for more on adding a link.
• Left click on the x to the right of the header to close the folder.
• Left-click on a link to open its web page - it will open in a new browser window.
• Left-click on the circle to the right of a link name for a menu - this allows you to delete, rename or move a link.

Finally

• When you click on a link in any folder, that link is place in the Front page, which is always visible. Such a link is identified by a ° to the right of it. You cannot manipulate it in any way (go to its "home folder" for this). The link will disappear from the front page when you have not visited it for seven days.

How to add a link

To add a link, you open the folder to which you wish to add the link, and then right click on the folder name in the opened box. You then have to add the folder name and URL (or Web address). For security reasons, it is not possible for a web page (unless it has local software installed, which is against the philosopy of the design) to "read" what web pages you currently have open. The quickest way, therefore, is to cut and paste the Web address. This involves three steps:

• Move to the web page and higlight the URL (address) of the web page you wish to store - either by clicking on the address, or pressing Alt+D
• Copy the URL by using the right mouse button and selecting copy, or, more quickly, by pressing Ctrl+C or Ctlr+Ins.
• Move to the LM dialogue box, and paste the URL by using the right mouse button and selecting paste or, more quickly, by pressing Ctrl+V or Shift+Ins.

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