Configuring Netscape for Rasmol

Here are some step-by-step instructions for configuring the Netscape Navigator 3.0x or Netscape Communicator 4.x browsers to run Rasmol as a helper application. There may be some variations if you are using a different version of Netscape, or another web browser such as Internet Explorer, but a similar approach should be possible. A more thorough discussion of the Chemical Mime Type can be found at the MIME types for Chemistry page set up by Henry Rzepa and Benjamin Whitaker. This site will be particularly useful if you are running Netscape or another browser in a Unix environment.

NB In order to configure your browser to run Rasmol, you must first have a copy of the application on your machine. Download the application if you haven't already done so and place it in a convenient directory.

Step One

From your Netscape 3.0x Browser go to the Options Menu and choose General Preferences.

If using Netscape Communicator 4.x, go to the Edit Menu and choose Preferences.

Options

Netscape Browser

You should see a window similar to the one below in Netscape 3.0x.

Step Two

You want to change the preferences for the Helper Applications, so find the selection for Helpers and choose it.

NB. If using Netscape Communicator 4.x, you need to choose Applications as pictured below.

Netscape

Step Three

You will notice a list of Mime types, associated applications, and file extensions that are mapped to the applications. When Netscape comes across a link to a file with a particular extension, (eg. mypicture.gif, mysound.au, mymovie.mov) it checks the helper preferences for information on how to view (or play) that file. In our case, we want to tell Netscape to launch the Rasmol application whenever it finds a link to a brookhaven database file. These are recognisable because they have an extension of 'ent' or 'pdb' (eg. pdb3cpa.ent).

The Netscape 3.01 helpers screen is pictured below

The Netscape Communicator helpers screen is slightly different.
Netscape Screenshot

To get started, click on the New button in the Helper Preferences Window (pictured above). NB If you have the Chime Plug-in installed, the correct mime type (chemical/x-pdb) will already appear in your list! In this case, scroll until you find it, select it, and choose 'Edit'.

You should see another window appear asking for you to enter a description and a mime type. Fill it in as per the picture below. The possible suffixes (extensions) for pdb files are shown.

Netscape Screenshot

Step Four

You need to specify that this mime type will be Handled By an Application. Now find your copy of Rasmol. Click on the Browse button (Choose under Netscape Communicator).

Netscape Screenshot

Now find your copy of Rasmol, select it and click Open as in the window below.

Netscape Screenshot

When you return to the 'Edit Type' window, check that Rasmol (RasMac or RasWin) is listed as the Application to handle the mime type. Then check that the File Type is 'Text'. Click OK to return to the 'Helper Applications' window.

Step Five

You should now see the new 'Chemical/x-pdb' mime type listed in your helper applications as pictured below.

Netscape Screenshot

You may wish to configure your web browser to recognise Rasmol script files. These files are created by using the Rasmol 'write script' command, or by editing a text file. They contain a series of Rasmol commands which will highlight areas of interest in the molecule. More information about script files can be found at the RasMol Home Page. In order to configure your web browser to recognise the '.spt' script files, repeat the steps above for creating a new helper with a mime type of application/x-spt (this mime-type will already be present if you have the Chime Plug-in installed). Again, choose Rasmol (RasMac or RasWin) as the application to handle the mime-type. You will also have to select a file type of 'RSML' instead of 'TEXT'. Don't forget to specify 'spt' as the file extension.

Netscape Screenshot

Click OK to get back to the 'Helper Applications' window and check that the 'application/x-spt' mime-type is listed.

Step Six

Finally, click on the OK button in the 'Helper Applications' window so that Netscape will save your preferences, then check if Rasmol is working by clicking on trp.pdb.

Good Luck and Happy Rasmoling!

Send me an email if you have any problems.