Set the location for downloaded files
By default, your Macintosh will put files you download from the Internet on your desktop. However, you can set a different location for files you get from the Internet, if you want to keep things more organized or personalized.
System-level settings for Mac OS X
You can edit your Internet preferences in the Internet pane in the System Preferences application. It is functionally the same as the Internet control panel in classic Mac OS.
System-level settings for Mac OS 8.5 and later
Mac OS 8.5 and later include the Internet control panel. It provides one stop where you can set many of your Internet settings for the classic Mac OS. It stores those preferences in a central database that compatible programs can use automatically. The database can contain personal preferences, like your name and e-mail address, as well as useful system preferences, such helper applications and file mappings.
Common Internet programs that are compatible include Microsoft Outlook Express, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Fetch.
Netscape Communicator is partially compatible. It is much more compatible if you use Communicator 4.7.6 or later.
If you are using Multiple Users in Mac OS 9, each user account on your Mac will have its own Internet control panel settings. Programs that make use of the Internet control panel settings are typically Multiple User-aware.
The Internet control panel is descended from an older freeware program called Internet Config. Internet Config does the same things the Internet control panel does, but it had a different interface, and many people weren't aware what is was doing. Apple decided to bundle the functions of Internet Config into Mac OS 8.5, and created the Internet control panel to make editing the settings easier.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 4.5 and 5 automatically use the settings stored in the Internet control panel's database.
Microsoft Outlook Express
Microsoft Outlook Express versions 4.5, 5.0, and 5.02 automatically use the settings stored in the Internet control panel's database when creating new accounts and local profiles. Outlook Express also has its own settings which must be configured within the application.
Netscape Communicator
Netscape Communicator can use the settings stored in the Internet control database. However, doing so overwrites Communicator's own mail client preferences, which are more detailed.
Version 4.7.7 and later provide a better interface, that lets you use Communicator's internal settings for its Messenger mail client, but still use the Internet control panel's helper applications and file mappings. This is especially useful if you commonly use Communicator to download files or work with mail attachments. When you use Communicator with the Internet control panel's helper applications and file mappings, you should get consistently better results when you try to use files you just downloaded. For this reason, we recommend upgrading to at least version 4.7.6.
The new setting option in Netscape Communicator is found in the Preferences window, under the Navigator category heading. The option is "Handle links with system-specified helper applications," and it should be turned on.
All versions of Communicator since 4.5 also have an option found in the Preferences window under the "Identity" subcategory of the "Mail & Newsgroups" category. This "Use Internet Config" option should be turned off for best results with RIT's mail systems.
Fetch
Fetch versions 3.0.3 and 4.0 automatically use the Internet control panel settings if they are present.
