University at Albany Libraries

Guide to Using Lynx

Lynx is a text-only Web browser. Use of this browser will give access to the text portions of Web pages. Graphics, sounds, and videos are not available with Lynx. Java, JavaScript, and other programming language are also not accessible with this browser. Certain Web pages, because of their construction, may be viewed only with graphical browsers such as Netscape Navigator.

To start Lynx in your University at Albay account on UNIX or VAX, simply type: lynx. On IBM, type: www . The program will open with the University at Albany home page.

Navigation on Lynx is accomplished in two steps:

  1. Highlight emphasized words on the screen with the arrow up and down keys
  2. Press the right arrow (or Enter) key to follow the link
To return to previous links, use one of two methods:
  1. Press the left arrow key
  2. Press the Delete (or Backspace) key to see a list of links you have visited. Highlight the link of your choice with the arrow down key. Then press Enter.
You may access an Internet site directly if you know the URL. Simply press the "g" (Go) key and type in the URL.

OTHER LYNX TIPS

+ or space bar
scroll down to the next screen
- or b
scroll up to the previous screen
/
conduct a keyword search in the current document
=
view current file information and the URL of the current link
z
cancel transfer in progress. This is useful if a link is not successfully or speedily retrieving
To return to the University at Albany home page: type the letter "m" (Main).

SAVING DOCUMENTS FOR LATER USE

You can download to disk, e-mail, or print any document on the Lynx screen.

Download to disk

Print ==> Save to a local file: Saves the file you are viewing to the root directory of your personal IBM, UNIX, or VAX account.
E-Mail
Print ==> Mail the file: Mails the document to the e-mail address that you specify. Include the entire address after the @ sign.
Print
Print ==> Computing Center printer, or

Print ==> Draper Printer: Prints the document using either the Computing Center printer or Draper Hall printer.
Print ==> Print to the screen: scrolls the document by your screen from beginning to end. A session or printer log must be open for this feature to be of use.
Hint: the IBM keyboard Print Screen option may also be used.

Bookmarks

When you have a site on your screen that you wish to return to at a later time, type the letter "a." This will add the document site to your bookmark file. When you wish to return to that document, type the letter "v" to view your bookmark file. Using the arrow down key, select the title of the document to which you wish to return. Press the Enter key.

LYNX Keyboard Commands

MOVEMENT
Down arrow - Highlight next topic
Up arrow - Highlight previous topic
Right arrow - Jump to highlighted topic
Return, Enter - Jump to highlighted topic
Left arrow - Return to previous topic
SCROLLING
+ (or space) - Scroll down to next page

- (or b) - Scroll up to previous page
OTHER
? (or h) - Help (this screen)

a - Add the current link to your bookmark file
c - Send a comment to the document owner
d - Download the current link
e - Edit the current file
g - Go to a user specified URL or file
I - Show an index of documents
j - Execute a jump operation
k - Show a list of key mappings
m - Return to main screen
o - Set your options
p - Print to a file, mail, printers, or other
q - Quit (Capital 'Q' for quick quit)
/ - Search for a string within the current document
s - Enter a search string for an external search
n - Go to the next search string
v - View your bookmark file
z - Cancel transfer in progress
[backspace] - Go to the history page
= - Show file and link info
\ - Toggle document source/rendered view
! - Spawn your default shell
CTRL-R - Reload current file and refresh the screen
CTRL-W - Refresh the screen
CTRL-U - Erase input line
CTRL-G - Cancel input or transfer
Laura Cohen | 12/97
lcohen@cnsvax.albany.edu