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Make Communicator Your Default Browser for Macintosh

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A few important notes before beginning:
  • The instructions on this page are for selecting Communicator as your default browser for Macintosh. If you use an operating system other than Macintosh , you'll need to follow different instructions.
  • You can also get instructions for how to uninstall Internet Explorer 3.0. If you do choose to uninstall Internet Explorer and set Communicator as your default, you'll first want to convert your Internet Explorer Favorites and Internet Explorer Mail address book into Communicator-compatible formats.
  • You should print this page of instructions so that you have a copy after you quit the browser and it's handy while you perform the tasks outlined below. The URL is http://home.netscape.com/download/mac_instructions.html.
Setting Netscape Communicator to Be Your Default Web Browser

To set and enable Netscape Communicator as your default browser, you must use a program called Internet Config to change your system settings. This program is downloaded and installed with Netscape Communicator.

  1. Important: Make sure that Communicator and all its components are NOT running.
  2. Open Internet Config. To do this, open the folder on your hard drive labeled Applications. Inside Applications, open the folder labeled Netscape Communicator. Next, open the folder labeled Internet Config. Finally, double-click the Internet Config icon. Note: This is where the Netscape Communicator Installer places this program by default. Internet Config may reside someplace else on your particular system. To find it, choose Find File from the either the File Menu or the Apple Menu and type Internet Config into the search box.
  3. A box entitled Internet Preferences will open. From here you can select preferences to personalize the Internet services on your computer. Note: If no window opens automatically, select New from the File menu.
  4. Click Helpers.
  5. In the dialog box that appears, scroll down until you find the line item for http. Click it and then click Change.
  6. In the dialog box that appears, click Choose Helper. This will give you a dialog box that will enable you to find Netscape Communicator and set it as your default. First, select the appropriate drive where your program applications reside. Next, use the selector at the top to bring up Desktop. Next, double-click Applications. Next, double-click Communicator. Next, double-click Netscape Communicator. Finally, click OK in the dialog box that appears. Note: Communicator may actually be located somewhere else on your hard drive. If it is not in the folder outlined above, you can find it by typing Communicator into the Find File application located in either the File menu or the Apple menu.
  7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 but choose https instead of http from the list of helpers.
  8. If you like, you can choose other protocol types for which to set Communicator as your default. For example, you can select Netscape as your default ftp client as well.
  9. When you are finished, close the Helpers dialog box by clicking the close box at the upper left-hand corner of the dialog box and quit Internet Config.
  10. When you quit Internet Config, you will be asked whether you want to save the changes you have made. Click Save.
  11. Netscape is now configured as your default web browser.


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