This site is optimized for Netscape 4.x. It works with Netscape 2.x and 3.x, and Internet Explorer 3.x and 4.x. as well, though not as smoothly. Most versions of Internet Explorer can't handle the mini-console for the music without the SP1 update which appeared in June 1998, the version on the Windows 98 release. Downloading the package from the MS site gives Windows 95 users most of the feature of Windows 98. It also solves some compatibility problems. In the case of Netscape 2.x, some of the JavaScript doesn't seem to function correctly, so, for example, you may not be able to use the ISBN validator or the cm/inch converter, and some of the special forms may not work as expected. The dealer search forms should still function properly.
There are direct search forms for all the major on-line multi-listing book sites, and many for single-shop sites. The posted forms are usually "smaller" versions of the actual forms posted at the sites themselves, which in many cases have additional search features.
For each site, clicking on the logo will bring you to their homepage, while clicking on the name link will bring you to the search form at their site. Otherwise, entering your search criteria and clicking "Search" will bring up the search results directly.
The search results will appear in a new window. You can close this window to go back to the search page, or switch (using Win95's task bar, etc.). The "back" buttons don't bring you back to the original page, but will bring you back to previous results pages if you leave it open. (TIP: If you have two Netscape windows open in Windows 95, you can switch them quickly with CTRL+TAB)
At the left side of this screen are two smaller frames. The top frame has links to the major sections of the site, and is designed so that you can size the frame with your mouse and have it always accessible. You can resize the frames by moving the mouse arrow onto the frame bar, holding down the left button and dragging the bar. Clicking "Book Search" will bring the list of book sites to the top of the bottom frame. Similarly, "Libraries" will bring the library list into focus in the bottom frame. (Libraries marked "*" have direct access search forms.)
The bottom frame is a more detailed index of the available functions and features, and is too long to display without scrolling. If you click on "Book Search" in the top frame, or Book Sites in this frame, the list will move down to display a list of all the search forms. The top item, Book Search is a link to the multi-form input screen. Many of the sites on the "More Search Forms" page are single-shop forms, while those on the main page are generally multi-dealer lists.
Clicking on "Book Search" in the bottom left frame will bring you to the multi-form input form. This is a JavaScript form for inputting your search criteria to all the forms at once. Once you have entered your criteria, press "Read," and your criteria will be entered into the form for each search engine. Below the form is the list of sites on the page, or you can just scroll down to the one you want.
The results of the search will appear in a new window. If you're using Windows 95 and Netscape, you'll see a new Netscape icon on the task bar. You can switch back to the main page and the multi-form input will still be in place. It's not necessary to close the second window, but additional searches will seem like nothing happened unless you click on the 2nd Netscape window from the task bar to see your results.
Rather than describe all the features and functions, I suggest you use the index to jump around and investigate. Except for links which obviously access external sites, most of the links you find are to documents stored here, at Books and Book Collecting.
I'm always happy to hear your comments and suggestions, so feel free to let me know what you think.
(And if you're interested in viewing my other sites, visit Trussel's EclectiCity for the full tour.)
