Data Files are stored in enhanced Rich Text Format (RTF). Once downloaded, the files can be displayed in any RTF Viewer/Editor; the most common of which is Microsoft Word for Windows. RTF was chosen for a number of reasons, not the least of which was file size: RTF files are typically less than half the size of DOC files (faster download and display). The data files were edited and formatted in MS-Word 6.0, therefore, they will display most consistently in Word 6.x or 7.x.

When you select a file to view or download, the popular Browsers with handle the request somewhat differently:

If you have a copy of MS-Word on your computer and your Browser is aware of it:

• Netscape will display the "Download Dialog Box", load MS-Word and display the file, or prompt you for a decision depending on how you have General Preferences defined. Immediate display is the default.
• Internet Explorer (MS-IE) will ask if you want to "Open this file form its current location" or "Save this file to disk".
• In either case, you can save the file to a convenient location once it is displayed in MS-Word.
• America OnLine (AOL) uses the MS Internet Explorer and should be configured the same as MS-IE. Earlier versions of AOL for Windows 3.x may not be able to handle RTF files correctly.

If you have a copy of MS-Word installed on your computer and your Browser is NOT aware of it: You should create the file-type relationship in General Preference in Netscape or create an association in Folder Options in Internet Explorer.

If you do not have a copy of MS-Word: You can use other Word Processors that read RTF (e.g. Word Perfect, etc.), however, they do not always interpret the Tags correctly and, although the data will be correct, the format may not be perfect.

Once displayed, in either your Browser or MS-Word, you can use the Cut & Paste features of Windows to extract sections for inclusion in Log Books or other reports.