Connection options  <     ^     >  


To view/modify Connection options of FirstStop WebSearch™:
1. From the "View" menu, choose "Options...," or click the "Options" settings button on the toolbar.
2. In the "Options" dialog box, select the "Connections" tab.

Simultaneous connections:
FirstStop WebSearch™ (FSWS) establishes several simultaneous connections (one per engine) while conducting a search. The user may specify the number of simultaneous connections to be used.

When the user conducts a search, FSWS first puts all engines in a line (queue). The program then takes the first group of engines, based on the number of simultaneous connections to be utilized, and performs the search. Each engine is released from its connection when it finishes its search. FirstStop WebSearch™ then moves to the next available engine. When all engines have returned their results, and there are no more in the queue, the overall search is complete.

Note: Generally, the more engines queried simultaneously, the faster the search. But, it is important to remember that multiple connections compete with each other for the computer's resources (memory, processor time, communication channel), so increasing the number of simultaneous connections on some computers (older, with low memory) might degrade the computer's performance. FirstStop WebSearch™ suggests a compromise between the number of connections and the computer's resources and comes with a preinstalled default value of 6.

In the "Simultaneous Connections" track bar, choose the number of search engines (1 - 20) to be used at the same time to conduct the search.


Search timeout (15 - 180 seconds)
Should an engine not respond after a selected period of time, for whatever reason (i.e., server is down or overloaded), FirstStop WebSearch™ terminates the search with that engine and returns an "error message" for that specific engine. FirstStop WebSearch™ comes preinstalled with the timeout set to 15 seconds.

In the "Search Timeout" edit box, choose the length of time (15 - 180 seconds) for FirstStop WebSearch™ to wait for a search engine to respond.


Verify timeout
Verifying is the process used to confirm the validity of active links and to identify dead links. Should a server not respond within the designated response time, FirstStop WebSearch™ stops verifying that link and marks it as undetermined result. Usually, 60 seconds (1 minute) is sufficient time for most verifications, as FirstStop WebSearch™ only verifies the link and not the entire document.

In the "Verify Timeout" edit box, choose the length of time (15 - 180 seconds) for FirstStop WebSearch™ to wait for a Web site or page to respond.

PROXY
For numerous reasons (security, limited access in an office, etc.), many users connect to the Internet through proxy servers. Accessing through a proxy directly affects the effectiveness of software designed specifically for the Internet. Typically, most users are aware that they connect through proxies and know the settings that they need to enter to connect. If you are on a network, your system administrator should be able to provide the information necessary for the proxy settings (see below).

Connect through a proxy
Check this box if you are connecting through a proxy

Address edit box
Type the address of your proxy server: either a symbolic name (such as proxy.myserver.com) or an IP address (such as 125.41.57.116).

Port
Enter the port of the proxy server.

Proxy requires authorization
Check this box if the proxy requires authorization.

User name
Insert your username to connect to the proxy (your account on the proxy).

Password
Type in the password that you use to connect to the proxy.

Click "OK" when finished.