Netscape Communicator's preferences fall into these categories:
See the Alphabetical Index at the end of this document for a master list of all the preferences. See the list of New Preferences for 4.5 for the preferences added in the latest release.
Please take the time to give the different preference categories some overall study before you begin changing defaults. A general knowledge of the preferences will help you accomplish your tasks efficiently and help you avoid possible conflicts.
These preferences control special user interface modifications that companies and organizations use to tailor Communicator's appearance and to set up easy access to the resources on their intranets.
You can use these settings in the local configuration file ( netscape.cfg ) or in an AutoConfig resource (such as config.jsc ). The syntax required for these settings is config( "name", "value" ) .
The only values you have to bracket with quotes are string values. Also note that any preference set with the config() function is locked by default because there is no user-accessible way to change the setting.
| Preference | Value |
| autoadmin.global_config_url | http://<server>/.../<filename>.jsc |
Specifies the URL to a JavaScript file or an HTTP-capable mechanism such as a CGI script. The filename is just a convention. There is no default value for this preference. This is the one preference required in a netscape.cfg file to set up configuration from a central resource. The server may need to be configured to recognize the .jsc MIME type.
This preference applies to Communicator version 4.0 and later, and is available on all platforms.
| Preference | Value |
| autoadmin.refresh_interval | 30 (an example: this preference doesn't have a default value) |
Sets an interval for polling (re-reading) the configuration resource specified by autoadmin.global_config_url . The interval is specified in minutes, ranging from 1 , upward. In Communicator 4.x, polling actually takes place at the next network access following the interval time. In version 4.5 polling takes place at the interval time, regardless of other network access activity. There is no default value for this preference.
This preference applies to Communicator version 4.0 and later, and is available on all platforms.
AutoConfig Proxy Information Policy
| Preference | Value |
| autoadmin.failover_to_cached | true |
Communicator can use automatic proxy configuration URLs, or refer to a cached copy of that information if the network file is unavailable. The ability to fall back (fail over) to this cached copy makes Communicator more robust.
The default is true , which allows Communicator to use cached proxy configuration information. Set to false to prevent Communicator from using cached proxy configuration information if the designated pac (proxy automatic configuration) file can't be reached on the network.
A Navigator cache file containing proxy information can be edited like any other HTML file. An intruder could substitute information that bypasses your proxy filters. If that intruder then started Communicator, and disconnected the client machine from the network, the default behavior would be to use that counterfeit proxy information. This could make it possible to move unauthorized data into or out of your intranet.
This preference should be set within a protected netscape.cfg file, to prevent tampering. It applies to Communicator version 4.0 and later, and is available on all platforms.
AutoConfig User Identification by Email Address
| Preference | Value |
| autoadmin.append_emailaddr | false |
Communicator can read its start-up configuration information from an AutoConfig resource specified by autoadmin.global_config_url . That resource can be a JavaScript-based config.jsc file, or it can be a CGI script or similar programmatic resource. When using a programmable resource, individualized configurations can be created based on users' email addresses, as specified by mail.identity.useremail , in the local configuration file.
The default for this preference is false , which does not append the user's email address to the request sent to the AutoConfig URL specified by autoadmin.global_config_url . Set to true to append the address.
Note that there is a potential security risk associated with this preference. An intruder could attempt to substitute a different email address to get an unauthorized configuration. For example, someone might attempt to access the configuration of a supervisor or senior executive. For this reason this preference should be set within a protected netscape.cfg file to prevent tampering. It applies to Communicator version 4.0 and later, and is available on all platforms.
These preferences configure Communicator's Roaming Access. Roaming Access allows use to access their personal Communicator work environment from wherever they work. It lets Communicator clients store and access portions of the users' profiles (preferences, bookmarks, address books, security files, and so on) in one or more central locations, either on an LDAP or HTTP server.
| Preference | Description |
| li.client.addressbook | Enables or disables including the address.htm Address Book file(s) in the file synchronization process, when li.enabled is true . The default is true , which is enabled. Set to false to disable. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator version 4.5 and later, and is available on all platforms. |
| li.client.bookmarks | Enables or disables including the bookmarks.htm file in the file synchronization process, when li.enabled is true . The default is true , which is enabled. Set to false to disable. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator version 4.5 and later, and is available on all platforms. |
| li.client.cookies | Enables or disables including the cookies.txt "servers scratchpad" file in the file synchronization process, when li.enabled is true . The default is true , which is enabled. Set to false to disable. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator version 4.5 and later, and is available on all platforms. |
| li.client.filters | Enables or disables including the rules.dat mail filters file(s) in the file synchronization process, when li.enabled is true . These files are created by a user of POP and IMAP mail to filter email to different folders. The default is true , which is enabled. Set to false to disable. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator version 4.5 and later, and is available on all platforms. |
| li.client.globalhistory | Enables or disables including the netscape.hst History file in the file synchronization process, when li.enabled is true . The default is true , which is enabled. Set to false to disable. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator version 4.5 and later, and is available on all platforms. |
| li.client.javasecurity | Enables or disables including the capabilities database file in the file synchronization process, when li.enabled is true . The default is false , which is disable. Set to true to enable. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator version 4.5 and later, and is available on all platforms. |
| li.client.liprefs | Enables or disables including the liprefs.js roaming access preferences file in the file synchronization process, when li.enabled is true . The default is true , which is enabled. Set to false to disable. The liprefs.js file is a subset of the prefs.js file, containing those preferences not set with the localDefPref() function. Communicator creates the liprefs.js file automatically. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator version 4.5 and later, and is available on all platforms. |
| li.client.security | Enables or disables including the certificate database file in the file synchronization process. The default is false , which is disabled. Set to true to enable. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator version 4.5 and later, and is available on all platforms. |
| li.enabled | Enables or disables the automatic file synchronization that supports Roaming Access. The default is false , which is disabled. Set to true to enable file synchronization. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.5 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| li.login.name | Specifies the user's unique login name, which is usually the user's mail login name. The default is an empty string. This preference should not be locked. It applies to Communicator version 4.5 and later, and is available on all platforms. |
| li.login.save.password | Specifies the password provided by the user in the Profile Manager. In subsequent startups of Communicator, the program automatically logs in to the Roaming Access server without asking the user to provide the password. The default is false. This preference should not be locked. It applies to Communicator version 4.5 and later, and is available on all platforms. |
| li.protocol | Specifies the server protocol to use to store or access users' roaming access data. The default string is ldap , which uses the LDAP protocol with a directory server. The alternate value is http , which uses a web server. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.5 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| li.server.http.baseURL | Specifies the base URL of the HTTP server that provides the user's location independence profile. This preference requires that li.protocol is set to http . The default is an empty string. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator version 4.5 and later, and is available on all platforms. |
| li.server.http.useSimplePut | Lets you control the method Communicator uses when updating profile files on the server. The default is false which means that Communicator updates profile files on the server using a two-step process. Communicator first uses an HTTP PUT operation to upload the file to a temporary location on the server. When the server verifies that is has received the entire file form the client, it uses a MOVE operation to replace the previous version of the file on the server. This two-step process ensures the integrity of profile files on the server in the event of a system crash or network outage during upload. Not all HTTP server support the MOVE command. If you server does not, you must set this preference to true , so Communicator uploads files using only a PUT operation. |
| li.server.ldap.url | Specifies the location of the Roaming Access server for the LDAP protocol. If you are using Roaming Access pointers capability, you can set this preferences to the LDAP URL of the Roaming Access pointer attribute on the corporate directory. The value of this must be a valid LDAP URL ( ldap://URLhere ). Unless you are using Roaming Access pointers, note that you or the user must also supply the li.server.http.baseURL preference. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator version 4.5 and later, and is available on all platforms. |
| li.server.ldap.idletimeoutms | Specifies idle connection timeout interval, in milliseconds, for connections to an LDAP Roaming Access server. After the specified interval, Communicator closes the connection to the server. If set, the value of this preference must be a numeral. The default is 300000 , about 2.5 minutes. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator version 4.5 and later, and is available on all platforms. |
| li.server.ldap.timeoutms | Specifies the LDAP server search timeout interval, in milliseconds, for profile files that Communicator is attempting to transfer to or from the server. If set, the value of this preference must be a numeral. The default is 480000 , about 4 minutes. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator version 4.5 and later, and is available on all platforms. |
| li.server.ldap.userbase | Specifies the LDAP bind DN (user login) to use when accessing profile data. Note that if you are using the Roaming Access pointers capability, you do not need to set this preference---the corporate directory provides the bind DN. The value of this preference must be a valid LDAP user DN, for example: uid=$USERID,ou=People,o=Netscape Communications Corp.,c=US. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator version 4.5 and later, and is available on all platforms. |
Windows Custom Toolbar Graphic
A custom branding icon or animation can replace the Netscape logo (the meteor shower graphic) at the right end of the toolbar. The graphic file is kept in the same folder or directory as the local netscape.cfg file. Communicator 4.x requires that animation be configured in the netscape.cfg file. Communicator 4.5 can configure animation from netscape.cfg or a centralized AutoAdmin resource such as a config.jsc file.
These preferences configure the toolbar graphic and URL on the Windows platform.
| Preference | Description |
| toolbar.logo.url | Specifies the URL to call when a user clicks the graphic at the right end of Communicator's toolbar. The default URL is http://home.netscape.com/ . This preference applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available only on the Windows platform. Note that this preference must be explicitly set whenever toolbar.logo.win_small_file or toolbar.logo.win_large_file are set. |
| toolbar.logo.win_small_file | Specifies the name of a small .bmp file to use as a branding icon. The default is an empty string. This preference applies to Communicator version 4.0 and later, and is available only on the Windows platform. |
| toolbar.logo.win_large_file | Specifies the name of a large .bmp file to use as a branding icon. The default is an empty string. This preference applies to Communicator version 4.0 and later, and is available only on the Windows platform. |
| toolbar.logo.frames | Specifies the number of animation frames used in the toolbar graphic. The default is -1 , which is a placeholder value. The limit is 40 . This preference applies to Communicator version 4.0 and later, and is available only on the Windows platform. |
Mac OS and Unix Custom Animation
These preferences configure the use of animation files for the Mac OS and Unix platforms.
| Preference | Value |
| mac_animation_file | The required Mac OS file name is Custom Animation . |
| x_animation_file | The default name for the Unix file is animation.dat . |
On the Windows platform you can define up to 25 items (buttons) for the Personal toolbar. Each button can call a URL itself, or show a dropdown list of up to 25 items (other URLs) associated with the button. Items are numbered from 0 to 24 . You can also create folders on the personal toolbar by setting the value of a personal_toolbar.item_n.url preference to FOLDER , for the Personal Toolbar Folder in the bookmark.htm file. You can then use the label and url parameters within the folder to customize the Personal toolbar hierarchically. For example, here is how Communicator's "Lookup" folder is created to include items within it: config("personal_toolbar.item_1.label","Lookup"); config("personal_toolbar.item_1.url","FOLDER"); config("personal_toolbar.item_1.item_0.label","People"); config("personal_toolbar.item_1.item_0.url","http://guide.netscape.com/guide/people.html");
These preferences apply to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and are available only on the Windows platform.
| Preference | Description |
| personal_toolbar.item_0.label | Specifies the first toolbar item's label. For example, Employee Resources . |
| personal_toolbar.item_0.url | Specifies the first toolbar item's URL. For example, http://ourcompany.com/employees/resources.html . |
Personal Toolbar Modifications
The toolbar modification preferences create a new toolbar folder, replacing the previous toolbar contents. The name of the folder matches, and displays the URLs in, an existing bookmark folder. The bookmarks that supported the previous toolbar's contents are left intact. The version string is arbitrary.
| Preference | Description |
| personal_toolbar. CreateNewToolbar |
Updates the contents of the toolbar. The default is false , which disables updating. Set to true to cause Communicator to re-read its defaults and create a new toolbar folder identified by personal_toolbar.NewToolbarFolderName . This preference applies to Windows only, and is available in Communicator version 4.02 and later. |
| personal_toolbar. NewToolbarFolderName |
Specifies the name of the replacement toolbar, which will be the same as an existing bookmark folder. The default is an empty string. This preference applies to Windows only, and is available in Communicator version 4.02 and later. |
| personal_toolbar. ToolbarFolderVersion |
Optionally describes a version number or other identification for an update. The default is an empty string. This preference applies to Windows only, and is available in Communicator version 4.02 and later. |
These preferences specify label text, URLs, and status bar prompt text for Guide menu commands. Up to 25 commands are available, numbered 0 through 24 . The defaults are empty strings.
These preferences apply to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and are available on all platforms.
| Preference | Description |
| menu.guide.item_0.label | Specifies the first command's label. For example, Employee Resources . |
| menu.guide.item_0.url | Specifies the first command's URL. For example, http://ourcompany.com/employees/resources.html . |
| menu.guide.item_0.prompt | Specifies the first command's status bar prompt. For example, Employee Resources Page . |
These preferences specify a default URL for the Guide button on the Navigation toolbar, and labels and URLs for the Guide button's dropdown list of items. The Guide button's items are numbered from 0 to 24 . By default, Netscape uses items 0 through 4 for "The Internet," "People," "Yellow Pages," "What's New," and "What's Cool."
These preferences apply to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and are available on all platforms.
| Preference | Description |
| toolbar.places.default_url | Specifies the URL for the Guide button itself. The default is http://guide.netscape.com/guide . |
| toolbar.places.item_0.label | Specifies the first button item's label. For example, Transportation Facilities . |
| toolbar.places.item_0.url | Specifies the first button item's URL. For example, http://ourcompany.com/employees/transportation.html . |
These preferences specify label text, URLs, and prompt text for Help menu commands. Up to 24 commands are available, numbered 1 through 24 . The "About Netscape" or "About Navigator" command is permanent and not modified by this list. Check your version of Communicator or Navigator to review the Help menu's default commands.
These preferences apply to 4.0 and later versions, and are available on all platforms.
| Preference | Description |
| menu.help.item_1.label | Specifies the first command's label. For example, How to Get Help . |
| menu.help.item_1.url | Specifies the first command's URL. For example, http://ourcompany.com/employees/helpfaq.html . |
| menu.help.item_1.prompt | Specifies the first command's status bar prompt. For example, Where to learn about getting help . |
Specifies the URL called by the Search button on the Navigation toolbar. This preference applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms.
| Preference | Description |
| internal_url.net_search.url | The default is http://home.netscape.com/home/internet-search.html . |
Internal URL to Initial Startup Homepage
Specifies the URL to use as the first-time start-up homepage. This is a specialized homepage, commonly used for new employee notices or post-installation software updates. This preference applies to Communicator version 4.0 and later, and is available on all platforms.
| Preference | Value |
| startup.homepage_ override_url |
The default is http://home.netscape.com/home/first.html . |
Internal URL to "More Info" Resource for Plug-Ins
Specifies the URL users are referred to by the "More Info" dialog box when a web page requires a plug-in that isn't available. The page displayed by the URL should offer the appropriate plug-in, explain a workaround, or explain the policy regarding that type of plug-in. This preference applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms.
| Preference | Value |
| internal_url.more_info_ plugin.url |
The default is http://cgi.netscape.com/eng/mozilla/2.0/extensions/info.cgi . |
Internal URL to "Default HTML Template" Resource
Specifies the default URL to use for HTML templates. This URL is the one called by the File Menu's New Page From Template command. This preference applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms.
| Preference | Value |
| internal_url.default_ template.url |
The default is http://home.netscape.com/home/gold3.0_templates.html . |
Internal URL to "Page Wizard" Resource
Specifies the default URL to a resource that serves as a wizard for creating HTML pages. This URL is the one called by the File Menu's New Page From Wizard command. This preference applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms.
| Preference | Value |
| internal_url.page_from_ wizard.url |
The default is http://home.netscape.com/home/gold4.0_wizard.html . |
Specifies a string that Navigator will automatically send to servers (especially proxy servers) to identify itself. The string appears in the headers of HTTP requests. You can use this string to identify internally customized versions of the product, to provide identifiers for programmable custom configurations, or to identify platforms. The string you specify is preceded by the letter "C" (for custom) and appended to Navigator's default product and version ID string. Your string can be up to 10 alphanumeric characters, including letters, numbers, dashes (-) and underscores (_). There is no default value for this preference. This preference applies to Communicator version 4.0 and later, and is available on all platforms.
| Preference | Value |
| user_agent | ABC123-4_5 (an example) |
Specifies text to append at the bottom of the about: page called by the Help menu's About Communicator command. The text can contain HTML formatting. The default is an empty string. This preference applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms.
| Preference | Value |
| about_text | This version of Netscape Communicator is specially customized for employees of OurCompany, Inc. (an example) |
These preferences appear in Communicator's dialog boxes where, by default, users can change them. These preferences are organized in parallel with the dialog boxes where they appear.
You can take control of these settings in a local configuration file ( prefs.js or netscape.cfg ). Communicator Professional Edition can also read these preferences from an AutoConfig resource file ( config.jsc ). These preferences are not set with the config() function. You can apply the defaultPref( name, value ) , lockPref( name, value ) , and unlockPref( name ) functions to set, lock, or release values. You can also query the values of these preferences with the getPref( name ) function.
Note that the defaults described in the preference values are "factory" defaults (the values as they exist in the unconfigured installation-building files provided with Mission Control Desktop). These preferences may be initialized differently at installation or at first use, depending on the nature of the feature and the platform used. Also note that localized, retail, or special-purpose versions of Communicator may ship with different defaults.
| Preference | Description |
| general.startup.browser | Controls whether a Navigator window opens at Communicator start-up. The default is true , which opens a Navigator window. Set to false to prevent opening Navigator. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| general.startup.mail | Controls whether a Messenger window opens at Communicator start-up. The default is false , which leaves Messenger closed. Set to true to open a Messenger window. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator versions 4.0 and later, and is available on all platforms. |
| general.startup.message_center | Controls whether the Message Center opens at Communicator start-up. The default is false , which leaves the Message Center closed. Set to true to open the Message center. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator versions 4.5 and later, and is available on all platforms. |
| general.startup.news | Controls whether a Newsgroup window opens at Communicator start-up. The default is false , which leaves the Newsgroups closed. Set to true to open a Newsgroup window. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| general.startup.editor | Controls whether a Composer window opens at Communicator start-up. The default is false , which leaves Composer closed. Set to true to open a Composer window. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator versions 4.0 and later, and is available on all platforms. |
| general.startup.netcaster | Controls whether Netcaster opens at Communicator start-up. The default is false , which leaves Netcaster closed. Set to true to open Netcaster. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator versions 4.0 and later, and is available on all platforms. |
| general.startup.conference | Controls whether Conference opens at Communicator start-up. The default is false , which leaves Conference closed. Set to true to open Conference. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator versions 4.x, and is available on all platforms. |
| general.startup.calendar | Controls whether Calendar opens at Communicator start-up. The default is false , which leaves Calendar closed. Set to true to open Calendar. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator versions 4.0 and later, and is available on all platforms. |
| browser.chrome.toolbar_style | Sets the overall button style for displayed toolbars. The default is 0 , which displays text and icons. Other values are: 1 , icons only; 2 , text only. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator versions 4.0 and later, and is available only on the Unix and Mac OS platforms. The equivalent preference for the Windows platform is browser.chrome.button_style . |
| browser.mac.show_tool_tips | Switches Macintosh tooltips on or off. The default is true (on). Set to false to hide tool tips. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available only on the Mac OS. |
| browser.mac.use_ utility_pattern |
Shows or hides the utility background pattern, if set on the Mac OS. The default is false (hidden). Set to true to display the pattern. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator versions 4.0 and later, and is available only on the Mac OS. |
Preferences: Appearance: Fonts
For each platform (e.g., Mac OS, Unix, or Windows), you can specify the default fixed and variable fonts, and font sizes, to use with the character sets that are appropriate for that platform. See Character Set Names for a complete list of the character set names and number codes.
| Preference | Description |
| intl.font%u.win.mimecharset | Specifies a default character set for the Windows platform. Replace %u with an appropriate number from the Character Set Names table. This preference is lockable, and applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions. |
| intl.font%u.win.prop_font | Specifies a default proportional (variable) font for a given character set on the Windows platform. Replace %u with an appropriate number from the Character Set Names table. Specify the font by name, in a quoted string. This preference is lockable, and applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions. |
| intl.font%u.win.prop_size | Specifies the size of the default proportional (variable) font for a given character set on the Windows platform. Replace %u with an appropriate number from the Character Set Names table. Specify the font size numerically, in points. The default size varies with the font chosen. This preference is lockable, and applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions. |
| intl.font%u.win.fixed_font | Specifies a default fixed (non-proportional) font for a given character set on the Windows platform. Replace %u with an appropriate number from the Character Set Names table. Specify the font by name, in a quoted string. This preference is lockable, and applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions. |
| intl.font%u.win.fixed_size | Specifies the size of the default fixed (non-proportional) font for a given character set on the Windows platform. Replace %u with an appropriate number from the Character Set Names table. Specify the font size numerically, in points. The default size varies with the font chosen. This preference is lockable, and applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions. |
| browser.use_document_fonts | Controls how Navigator responds to the fonts specified, or not specified, in web pages. The default is 2 , which always uses any font specifications that appear in documents, including any for Dynamic Fonts. Other values are: 0 , never use fonts named in HTML documents (use only Navigator's defaults); 1 , use any font specifications that appear in documents, but exclude any for Dynamic Fonts. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
Preferences: Appearance: Colors
| Preference | Description |
| browser.foreground_color | Sets the default RGB color for regular web page text, using hexadecimal values. The default is #000000 (black). This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| browser.background_color | Sets the default RGB color for page backgrounds, if browser.background_option is set to 1 . The default is #C0C0C0 (gray). This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is not available on the Mac OS. |
| browser.wfe.use_ windows_colors |
Controls whether Navigator uses Windows' foreground and background colors as web page defaults. The default is true . Set to false to use Navigator's own defaults set in browser.foreground_color , and browser.background_color , or the settings in web pages with browser.use_document_colors . This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available only on the Windows platform. |
| browser.anchor_color | Sets the default RGB color for text used in anchors. The default is #0000EE (blue). This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| browser.visited_color | Sets the default RGB color for text used in links that have been visited. The default is #551A8B (purple). This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| browser.underline_anchors | Controls whether anchor text is displayed with an underline. The default is true , which displays underlines. Set to false to hide underlines. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| browser.use_document_colors | Controls whether Navigator defaults to the foreground and background colors defined in web pages, rather than using its own defaults (or Windows' defaults, on the Windows platform). The default is true , which defers to the document's colors. Set to false to use Navigator's defaults. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
The World Wide Web has several sources of RGB hex value information. One example is this hex color chart.
| Preference | Description |
| browser.startup.page | Sets what page, if any, Navigator displays at start-up. The default is 1 , which displays the page specified by browser.startup.homepage . Other values are: 0 , don't attempt to display a page; 2 , display the page last visited. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| browser.startup.homepage | Specifies the page to display when browser.startup.page is set to 1 . The default URL is http://home.netscape.com . This page is also the one fetched by the Home button. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| browser.link_expiration | Sets the number of days to retain records of links visited. The default is 9 . Values can range from 1 , upward. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. Note that this preference is subject to browser.never_expire , which disables expiration if set to true . |
Preferences: Navigator: Languages
Note that languages and character sets are different. A given language or dialect may be supported by more than one character set. When you identify a preferred language you are specifying the language only, not choosing a character set in which the language should appear. Also see the preferences that configure Character Sets for international use.
| Preference | Description |
| intl.accept_languages | Defines a prioritized list of language identifiers that Navigator automatically sends to servers. Servers equipped to do so can use this list to respond with pages in an appropriate language. Navigator sends this list as an HTTP 1.1 header. The languages are specified as a comma-delimited list of Language Letter Codes. The default string is the letter code en , for US English. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
Preferences: Language Letter Codes
These language identification tags are defined by RFC 1766.
| Language/Dialect | Letter Code |
| Chinese | zh |
| Chinese/China | zh-CN |
| Chinese/Taiwan | zh-TW |
| Dutch | nl |
| English | en |
| English/United Kingdom | en-GB |
| English/United States | en-US |
| French | fr |
| French/Canada | fr-CA |
| French/France | fr-FR |
| German | de |
| Italian | it |
| Japanese | ja |
| Korean | ko |
| Portuguese | pt-BR |
| Spanish | es |
| Spanish/Spain | es-ES |
| Swedish | sv |
Preferences: Navigator: Applications
Use this set of MIME preferences for each MIME type you define. Look in the list of Helper applications in a "clean" Communicator installation to see the current default MIME types. In each preference replace %s with the name of the MIME type being defined. These preferences are lockable and apply to Communicator 4.0 and later versions. Except for those used exclusively on the Mac OS, these preferences are available on all platforms. For all string values, use underscores for nonalphanumeric characters.
| Preference | Description |
| mime.%s.mimetype | This string appears following "MIME Type" in the "File type details" panel. |
| mime.%s.extension | This string appears following "Extension" in the "File type details" panel. |
| mime.%s.load_action | Defines the action to take with the specified MIME type. The default is 2 , which is launch the application associated with this type. Other values are: 1 , ask the user where to save the file; 3 , ask the user what action to take (the action isn't known); 4 , handle the MIME type as a plug-in. |
| mime.%s.description | This string appears in the Description list to describe the MIME type. |
| mime.%s.latent_plug_in | This preference is reserved for Communicator's internal use. |
| mime.%s.mac_appname | Provides the name of the Mac OS application that handles the specified MIME type. It may not be strictly necessary to set this preference when mime.%s.mac_appsig is defined, but it should be set so the application's name appears in the Applications panel of the Preferences dialog box. The default string is ???? . This preference is available only on the Mac OS. |
| mime.%s.mac_appsig | Provides the 4-character signature of the application that handles the specified MIME type. For example, JPEGView's signature is JVWR . Note that this preference is set automatically when users browse to choose applications through the Applications panel of the Preferences dialog box. The default string is ???? . This preference is available only on the Mac OS. |
| mime.%s.mac_filetype | Provides the 4-character file type that should be assigned to a file of the specified MIME type. Note that this preference is often set by users working through the Applications panel of the Preferences dialog box, when they choose applications to handle MIME types. The default is an empty string. This preference is available only on the Mac OS. |
| mime.%s.mac_plugin_name | Provides the name of the appropriate plug-in program to use with the files of the specified MIME type, if the type uses plug-in programs. Note that this value can be set at the time a plug-in loads and registers the MIME types it can handle. Navigator's user interface is designed to automatically offer users a list of plug-in candidates, if more than one plug-in can handle the given MIME type. The default is an empty string. This preference is available only on the Mac OS. |
Preferences: Mail & Groups: Main
| Preference | Description |
| mail.quoted_style | Sets the style for original message text included in replies or forwards. The default is 2 , which is italics only. Other values are: 0 , plain text only; 1 , bold only; 3 , bold and italic. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| mail.quoted_size | Sets the font size for original message text included in replies or forwards. The default is 0 , which is the current default text size. Other values are 1 , one point larger than the default size; 2 , one point smaller than the default size. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| mail.citation_color | Sets the default RGB color of original message text included in replies or forwards. The default is = #000000 (black). This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| mail.fixed_width_messages | Controls whether message text appears in non-proportional (fixed-width) or proportional (variable-width) fonts. The default is true , which displays non-proportional fonts. Set to false to display proportional fonts. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator versions 4.0 and later, and is available on all platforms. |
| mailnews.reuse_thread_window | Controls whether message lists (threads) appear in the same window or in separate windows. The default is true , which uses the same window. Set to false to open new windows for discussion or mail message lists (threads). This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator versions 4.0 and later, and is available on all platforms. |
| mailnews.reuse_message_ window |
Controls whether messages appear in the Folder or Category windows, or in separate Message windows. The default is true , which uses the original window. Set to false to open a new window for each message. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| mail.play_sound | Enables or disables a sound alert that occurs when new messages appear on the server. The sound is the operating system's default sound. The default is true , which plays a sound. Set to false to disable the sound alert. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is not available on the Unix platform. |
Preferences: Mail & Groups: Identity
| Preference | Description |
| mail.identity.username | Specifies the user's legal name as it should appear in message headers. The default is an empty string. This preference is lockable only on a per-user basis. It applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| mail.identity.useremail | Specifies the user's email address as it should appear in message headers. This is the default address to which replies are sent (unless an alternate is specified in mail.identity.reply_to ). The default is an empty string. This preference is lockable only on a per-user basis. It applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| mail.identity.reply_to | Specifies a reply-to address that is different than the user's originating email address (as specified by mail.identity.useremail ). Use this preference only when replies need to be redirected. The default is an empty string. This preference is lockable only on a per-user basis. It applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| mail.identity.organization | Optionally specifies the user's organizational affiliation. The default is an empty string. This preference is lockable only on a per-user basis. It applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| mail.signature_file | Specifies a path to a file containing ASCII text to automatically append to mail and discussion messages. The default on Windows is an empty string. On Unix the default is ~/.signature . The default is undefined on the Mac OS. The Windows and Unix platforms automatically use signature files if mail.signature_file is being used. The Mac OS also requires that mail.use_signature_file is true . This preference is lockable only on a per-user basis. It applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions. |
| mail.use_signature_file | Controls whether the contents of signature files are appended to mail and discussion messages on the Mac OS. The signature file is specified by mail.signature_file . The default is false , which disables signature files. Set to true to use signature files. This preference is used only on the Mac OS. The Windows and Unix platforms automatically use signature files if mail.signature_file is being used. This preference is lockable. It applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions. |
| mail.attach_vcard | Controls whether users' address book cards (if available) are automatically appended to mail and discussion messages. The default is false , which doesn't attach the cards. Set to true to attach cards. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| browser.mac.use_ internet_config |
Controls whether Mac OS installations read configuration information from a file created by the Internet Configuration System utility. The default is false , which uses data maintained by the Mac OS or by Communicator. Set to true to use the Internet Configuration System. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available only on the Mac OS. |
Preferences: Mail & Groups: Messages
| Preference | Description |
| mail.html_compose | Controls whether messages are sent in HTML format by default. The default is true , which uses HTML. Set to false to default to plain text messages. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| mail.auto_quote | Controls whether replies automatically include the contents of the original messages. The default is true , which includes original messages. Set to false to leave original messages out of replies. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| mailnews.wraplength | Sets the line length for automatic word wrapping when composing messages. The default length is 72 characters. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| mail.cc_self | Enables or disables automatic copying of outgoing mail messages to the originator's address. This preference works independently of mail.default_cc . The default is false , which doesn't send copies. Set to true to enable copying. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator versions 4.0 and later, and is available on all platforms. |
| mail.default_cc | Specifies an address, other than named recepients' mail addresses, to automatically receive copies of outgoing mail messages. This preference works independently of mail.cc_self . The default is an empty string. This preference is lockable only on a per-user basis. It applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| news.cc_self | Enables or disables automatically copying the user on outgoing discussion messages. This preference works independently of news.default_cc . The default is false , which doesn't send copies. Set to true to enable copying. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| news.default_cc | Specifies an address, other than the news or discussion group, to automatically receive copies of outgoing discussion messages. This preference works independently of news.cc_self . The default is an empty string. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| mail.use_fcc | Controls whether outgoing mail messages, on the Mac OS, are automatically copied to the folder specified by mail.default_fcc . The default is true , which copies messages. Set to false to disable copying. This preference can be locked. It applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is used only on the Mac OS. On other platforms this feature is enabled by specifying a path to a folder with mail.default_fcc . |
| mail.default_fcc | Specifies the path to a folder that will automatically receive copies of outgoing mail messages. This folder is usually named Sent . On the Mac OS this preference requires that mail.use_fcc is true . The default on Windows is an empty string, on Unix it is ~/nsmail/Sent , on the Mac OS it is Sent . This preference is lockable only on a per-user basis. It applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions. |
| news.use_fcc | Controls whether outgoing discussion messages, on the Mac OS, are automatically copied to the folder specified by news.default_fcc . The default is true , which copies messages. Set to false to disable copying. This preference can be locked. It applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is used only on the Mac OS. On other platforms this feature is enabled by specifying a path to a folder with news.default_fcc . |
| news.default_fcc | Specifies the path to a folder to automatically receive copies of outgoing discussion messages. This folder is usually named Sent . On the Mac OS this preference requires that news.use_fcc is true . The default on Windows is an empty string, on Unix it is ~/nsmail/Sent , on the Mac Os it is Sent . This preference is lockable only on a per-user basis. It applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions. |
| mail.notification.sound | Specifies the path to a sound resource file to play when notifying the user that new mail is available on the server. The default is an empty string. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is not available on the Unix platform. On the Mac OS, Communicator has to be in the background for the notification sound to play. |
| mailnews.nicknames_only | Controls whether email addresses expand (try to anticipate what the user types) on the basis of legal names and nicknames, or on nicknames alone. The default is false , which uses legal names and nicknames. Set to true to use nicknames only. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| mailnews.autolookup_ unknown_mime_types |
Controls whether Communicator also checks registered file name extensions, as well as MIME types, when it encounters an unknown MIME type in a mail or discussion message attachment. The default is true , which also checks extensions. Set to false to check MIME types only. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator version 4.02 and later, and is available on all platforms. |
| mail.strictly_mime | Controls whether outgoing mail messages containing 8-bit characters are sent as-is or in "quoted printable" MIME encoding. The default is false , which sends the characters as-is. Set to true to force MIME encoding. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| mail.default_html_action | Controls how Communicator advises users about sending HTML-formatted messages to recipients. The default is 0 , which asks the user each time an HTML message might be sent to a reader not equipped for it. Other values are: 1 , always send plain text messages; 2 , always send HTML-formatted messages, regardless; 3 , always send messages in MIME format (both plain- and HTML-formatted). This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| mailnews.reply_on_top | Controls whether Message Composer positions the cursor at the top of message replies, instead of at the end of the text of the previous message. Use this preference with mailnews.reply_with_extra_lines to set the number of blank lines between the cursor and text. The default is 1 , which is the top. Other values are: 0 , bottom; 2 , bottom selected; 3 , top selected. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator version 4.0 and later, and is not available on the Mac OS. |
| mailnews.reply_with_ extra_lines |
Controls how many blank lines appear between the cursor and the text of the previous message when composing replies. Use this preference with mailnews.reply_on_top to position the cursor in the reply. The default on Windows is 2 lines, and on Unix is 0 (no lines). This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is not available on the Mac OS. |
Preferences: Mail & Groups: Mail Server
| Preference | Description |
| mail.pop_name | Specifies the user's email name as the mail server will recognize it. The default is an empty string. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| network.hosts.smtp_server | Specifies the host name of the SMTP server used for outgoing mail. This can be the same server used for incoming mail. The default for Windows and the Mac OS is mail , for Unix it is localhost . This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| mail.smtp_name | Specifies the host name of the SMTP server used for outgoing mail. This can be the same server used for incoming mail. This preference can be locked. It applies to Communicator 4.5 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. Note that preventing user identity "spoofing" is best accomplished by using the SMTP authentication capability of the Netscape Messaging Server, and locking the mail.identity.useremail and mail.identity.username preferences. |
| network.hosts.pop_server | Specifies the host name of the SMTP server used for incoming mail. This can be the same server used for outgoing mail. The default for Windows and the Mac OS is mail , for Unix it is pop . This preference should not be locked when mail.server_type is set to 1 (IMAP4), but may be locked in other cases. It applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. Note that preventing user identity "spoofing" is best accomplished by using the SMTP authentication capability of the Netscape Messaging Server, and locking the mail.identity.useremail and mail.identity.username preferences. |
| mail.server_type | Sets the mail management protocol to use with SMTP servers. The default for Windows and the Mac OS is 0 , which is POP3, and stores messages and folders locally. The default for Unix is 2 , which is Unix movemail. Other values are: 1 , IMAP4, messages and folders can be stored on server; 3 , Unix inbox. This preference should not be locked when it is set to 1 (IMAP4), but may be locked in other cases. It applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. Note that preventing user identity "spoofing" is best accomplished by using the SMTP authentication capability of the Netscape Messaging Server, and locking the mail.identity.useremail and mail.identity.username preferences. |
| mail.leave_on_server | Controls whether messages are left on a POP3 mail server after downloading. This preference is applicable only if mail.server_type is set to 0 (POP3). The default is false , which moves mail to the local machine. Set to true to leave messages on the server after downloading. Leaving messages on the server can be useful for users who access their mail from more than one client. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| mail.smtp.ssl | Controls how Messenger uses SSL to communicate with the SMTP mail server. The default is 0 , which is without SSL (disabled). Other values are: 1 , use SSL if the server is configured to support it; 2 , require an SSL connection to the server and refuse to connect if it isn't available. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.5 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| mail.imap.local_copies | Controls whether Messenger copies mail message bodies to the local hard disk to support offline reading. The default is false , which copies only headers, as is appropriate for online use. Set to true to download message bodies as well as headers, which is necessary for offline use. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.03 and later versions, and is not available on the Unix platform. |
| mail.imap.delete_is_ move_to_trash |
Controls how Messenger handles messages marked for deletion. Messages can stay hidden in the original folder until the folder is compressed, or be moved to the Trash folder to be emptied by the user. The default is false , which leaves messages hidden in the original folder. Set to true to move them to the Trash folder when deleted. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| mail.imap.root_dir | Specifies a root, other than the Unix home directory, when a non-default value is necessary. The default is ~/ns_imap/ . This preference is lockable only on a per-user basis. It applies to Communicator 4.5 and later versons, and is available only on the Unix platform. |
| mail.imap.server_ssl | Enables or disables an SSL connection to an IMAP mail server. To use SSL the mail server must also have SSL enabled. The default is false , which disables SSL. Set to true to enable SSL. The default port for SSL on IMAP mail servers is 993 . To use a different port set mail.imap.ssl_port . This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.5 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| mail.imap.ssl_port | Specifies a non-default port to use for SSL on IMAP mail servers. This preference isn't needed when using the default port number of 993 . This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| mail.directory | Specifies a path to the root of the local mail tree, when a non-default value is necessary. Mail should ordinarily be stored in a folder named Mail in the user's profile directory (in the System folder of the start-up disk). The Mail folder represents the root of the local mail folder hierarchy. The default for Windows is an empty string, for Unix it is ~/nsmail/ . This preference is lockable only on a per-user basis. It applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is not available on the Mac OS. |
| mail.imap.server_ sub_directory |
Specifies a path to a directory on an IMAP mail server where mail is stored, when a non-default path is necessary. The default is an empty string. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. Also see mail.imap.strip_slash_when_creating_online_dir for additional information about scripting this preference. |
| mail.check_new_mail | Enables or disables automatic mail sever checking for new messages. When enabled, checking occurs at the interval specified in mail.check_time . The default on Windows and the Mac OS is false (disabled), and on Unix it is true (enabled). This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| mail.check_time | Specifies the interval, in minutes, for checking the mail server when mail.check_new_mail is true . The default is 10 . The range is upward from 1 . This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| mail.password_protect_local_cache | Controls access to a user's local mail. The default is false. Set to true to require a password for access to local mail. If this preference is set, access to all mail (local and IMAP) is denied if the mail server password is not authenticated. |
| mail.remember_password | Controls whether Messenger retains and automatically submits the user's mail server password. The default is false , which requires the user to enter the password manually. Set to true to submit passwords automatically. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. It is advisable to lock this preference to false , to prevent unauthorized mail access. |
| mail.use_mapi_server | Controls whether Messenger can be called from other applications that ordinarily call MAPI-based mail clients for mail support. The default is false , which disables calling from other applications. Set to true to enable access. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available only on the Windows platform. |
| mail.use_movemail | Controls whether Messenger uses Unix movemail instead of POP or IMAP to handle mail management (transferring mail from the spool to the local mail directory). The default is true , which uses movemail. Set to false to use POP or IMAP. Note that when using movemail there are two movemail options (Messenger itself or an external program), controlled by mail.use_builtin_movemail . This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available only on the Unix platform. |
| mail.movemail_program | Specifies the external movemail program to use if mail.use_movemail is true , and mail.use_builtin_movemail is false . The default is an empty string. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available only on the Unix platform. |
| mail.use_builtin_movemail | Enables or disables a warning at the first use of movemail, to alert users that their mail is about to be transferred from the mail spool to the mail directory. The default is false , which disables the warning. Set to true to enable the warning. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available only on the Unix platform. |
Preferences: Mail & Groups: Groups Server
| Preference | Description |
| network.hosts.nntp_server | Specifies the host name of an NNTP discussion group or news server. The default is news . This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. The default port number is 119 . To use a different port number specify it with news.server_port . |
| news.server_port | Specifies a non-default port to use for access to an NNTP (discussion or news) server. This preference isn't needed when using the default port number of 119 . This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| news.server_is_secure | Enables or disables an SSL connection to an NNTP discussion group or news server. To use SSL the server must also have SSL enabled. The default is false , which disables SSL. Set to true to enable SSL. The default port for SSL on NNTP servers is 563 . To use a different port set it with news.server_port . This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| news.directory | Specifies the path to the user's local discussion group folder. The folder is named news . The default on Windows and the Mac OS is an empty string, but it is initialized to the user's profile directory during installation. On Unix the default is ~ (tilde). This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| news.notify.on | Enables or disables user notification when discussion group message header downloads would exceed the number specified by news.max_articles . The default is true , which enables notification (displays the Download Headers dialog box so the user can choose whether or how many to download). Set to false to automatically download all unread headers, regardless of number. This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
| news.max_articles | Specifies a limit on the number of discussion message headers to download without user notification, if news.notify.on is true . The default is 500 . The range is upward from 1 . This preference is lockable, applies to Communicator 4.0 and later versions, and is available on all platforms. |
Preferences: Mail & Groups: Directory
Note that Communicator's default configuration uses ldap1.directory1 for the Personal Address Book and ldap1.directory2 through ldap1.directory6 for commercial directory services.
Most of these preferences map to the Directory Server Property dialog box reached through the Edit or New buttons in the Mail & Groups Directory panel of the Preferences dialog. These preferences apply to Communicator 4.x.
| Preference | Description |
| ldapList.version | This preference is reserved for Communicator's internal use. |
| ldap_1.number_of_directories | Specifies the number of directories to list in the ordered list of directories in the Mail & Groups Directory panel of the Preferences dialog. The range is upward from 1 . The default is 7 . Communicator calculates this value automatically. If you are configuring directory preferences outside of Communicator, be sure to increment this number correctly. It is inadvisable to lock this preference unless all the following ldap_1.directory%u preferences are also locked. This preference applies to the 4.x versions of Communicator. |
| ldap_1.directory%u.dirType | Specifies the type of service a particular directory represents. Replace %u with the list number of a particular directory service. The values are: 0 , LDAP directory; 1 , not used; and 2 , local copy of an LDAP database (such as a corporate address book). The default is 2 . |
| ldap_1.directory%u.filename | Contains the path to a file containing a local copy of an LDAP database, if ldap_1.directory%u.dirType is set to 2 . Replace %u with the list number of a particular directory service. The default value is an empty string. |
| ldap_1.directory%u. description |
Contains the name of the directory service as users should see it in the Address Book. Replace %u with the list number of a particular directory service. The general default i |