Utilities

Site characteristics

This site is best viewed using the latest versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer, available for download from Microsoft Corporation.

File transfer

The transfer of proposal files from potential authors should be achieved by email attachment (see file compression below). Email is a simple method of transferring files, but can be problematic due to difficulties in encoding/decoding successfully. At the IJmuiden Communication Centre, we use EudoraPro. This software package has demonstrated a good capability of recognising the encoding of the incoming attachments and achieving a successful decoding. For outgoing attachments there is a choice of "MIME", "BinHex" or "Uuencode" encoding. At the IJmuiden Communication Centre we have standardised on any one of these encoding techniques. Please make sure your email server software recognizes these types of encoding. When using Microsoft Outlook, please do not break up attachments into smaller chunks.

File compression

We instruct the corresponding authors to compress their proposal files before transfer simply to speed up transfer times. This is absolutely essential when large files are to be transmitted by email attachment. The IJmuiden Communication Centre is currently using WinZip software and Aladdin StuffIt/Expander software. Unix users should compress their proposal files using the standard GZip software package.

Virus protection

In the past years we have found that approximately 10% of all incoming files are virus infected. This is one of "the facts of life". Thus protection is necessary. At the IJmuiden Communication Centre we are currently using McAfee virus protection software which has been found to be effective - so far!