IBM Notes Browser Plug-in – Techniques for Efficient Usage
Summary: This blog helps users to learn about the maximum use of IBM Lotus Notes browser plug-in. Enterprises will be able to gain complete awareness regarding how to use browser plug-in in the Lotus Notes application.
1. Utilize Your Existing Directory Data – When you are done with installation of the plug-in on a machine where IBM Client already exists, these plug-in migrate all information in its directories, as per the requirement. If there is a need to transfer data on another machine, which means shifting your existing data from the on-premise server then, you have to perform following steps:
- In source or destination system, install IBM Notes browser plug-in in anyone. The machine should be the one where Lotus Notes email client already exists.
- Go to the location C:\Users\AppData\Local\IBM\Notes and continue with next step.
- Copy the files from source machine like bookmark.nsf, desktop*.ndk, names.nsf, files associated with Notes id, and other local database files.
- Open the destination system where IBM client already exists and go to C:\Users\AppData\Local\IBM\Notes.
- Paste all the copied file of Step (c) and restart your machine.
- Launch Notes browser plug-in and start working with the Notes app.
2. Use Common URLs to Access Plug-in – There are some predefined URLs for the plug-in. This helps in easily accessing the most frequently used plug-in. In order to gain desired output, type following links in URL bar of the browser:
- notes:home – To open the home page of Notes browser
- notes:workspace – To quickly open the workspace
- notes:replication – For launching the replicator
3. Use Browser URL to Open local Database – The standard syntax to support URLs in Lotus Notes browser plug-in is notes:///. If you are known from the desired local database location and name then, use following URL to open it:
notes:///.nsf
where three slashes are used for the opening of local IBM database. For example, you can open the address book and Local name by using ‘notes:///names.nsf’ URL.
4. Activate ‘Advance’ to Get ‘Advanced’ Options – Add “menusAdvanced=1’ in the Notes.ini file to achieve an advanced set of options on the menu. After adding, restart your browser plug-in.
5. Access iNotes from IBM Notes Browser Plug-in – Following 3 simple steps can be used to launch iNote:
- Go to File >> iNotes in the IBM client.
- Click on the icon of iNotes, which is placed at the top-right corner of the screen.
- Double-click on the icon of the mail file on the workspace.
6. Use iNotes to Launch Plug-in – In the Tip (6), you came to know about how to reach to the homepage of IBM Lotus Notes plug-in for Internet Explorer. Well, after successfully completing this method, you will be able to simply click on the document link, application link, and view link that is present in your mail. This will launch the plugin and display all the associated content present within it.
7. Access Bookmarks in Plugin of Notes Browser – When enterprises decide to switch from standard client to the Notes browser plug-in, the bookmarks get migrated to the Browser’s favorites. If any modifications need to be made in bookmarks then, following are the location for this:
- You can go to Bookmarks >> Notes Applications in Mozilla Firefox browser
- Navigate towards Favorites >> Notes Applications in Internet Explorer browser
8. Mention Settings of CopyAsTableHTML – When a data is copied using Edit >> Copy >> Table option, the plug-in keeps data on clipboard in the HTML table format. This might not work when you are pasting content in programs like MS Outlook. Following options can be used to specify changes:
- CopyAsTableHTMLSetting = 0 (or default)
This will copy table in HTML format with DocURI and while pasting it in Outlook app, there will be no displaying of those links. - CopyAsTableHTMLSetting = 1
This copies an HTML table with “Notes Link” text, replacing the Doclink icon. After getting pasted in HTML table, it shows link text, not the DocURI - CopyAsTableHTMLSetting = 2
There will be no HTML table copied in the resultant. The behavior of pasting will be same as of the standard client.
9. Mention Chosen Browser to Use Plug-in – Suppose that your default PC browser is Internet Edge but, you do not want to use it. You want to use Lotus Notes browser plug-in in the Firefox. So, for this you need to perform following Notes.ini settings:
NOTES_PLUGIN_DEFAULT_BROWSER=Firefox
NOTES_PLUGIN_DEFAULT_BROWSER=IEdge
10. Specify Several Levels of Log – Unstability kind of issue is noticed in the plug-in for getting additional logs when browser hangs. A list of extra logs help Notes in debugging the problem and as a result, renders a faster approach. If there is instability or hanging situation then, follow below-mentioned guidelines:
- Add following parameters in the INI settings
- Try to recreate the problem, and
- Send console.log to IBM
Conclusion
IBM is trying its best in easing the business processes for enterprises worldwide. This IBM Lotus Notes browser plug-in is an example to this. Administrators can make use of this plug-in to reduce the complications in IBM app and focus more on the company growth.
