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Browsing the World Wide Web With Lynx
S4176 • February 2004
This document provides instructions for using Lynx, a character-based, non-graphical web browser, designed for text-based environments. Lynx does not allow you to display pictures or play sound, and its interface is entirely keyboard-driven. It is available on the ITCS Login Service.
NOTE: This document is also available in these formats: Microsoft Word | Adobe Acrobat PDF
Table of Contents
Starting Lynx
NOTE: Lynx requires access to a Unix server, such as the ITCS Login Service. Access to the Login Service is included in the Basic Computing Package provided to registered students, faculty, and regular staff on the Ann Arbor campus. For details about the package, see Understanding Your Basic Computing Package (S4260).
To use Lynx on the ITCS Login Service:
- 1. Use secure software to connect to the Login Service (login.itd.umich.edu).
Windows. Use SSH Secure Shell software. For information about obtaining and using SSH Secure Shell, see Using SSH Secure Shell to Connect to Host Computers [Windows] (s4304).
Mac OS X. Mac OS X comes with SSH software called Terminal. Open the Applications folder, then the Utilities folder to find it. Open Terminal and enter this command:
ssh login.itd.umich.edu
The Blue Disc installs an icon in your dock that you can click to connect to the Login Service.
Mac OS 8.6-9.2.2. Mac Classic users can use MacSSH, which is available on the Blue Disc.
- Log in with your uniqname and UMICH Kerberos password when prompted.
- At the % prompt, type lynx (be sure to type all lower-case letters). Press the Return key. The Lynx main page will be displayed.
- To go to a web page, type g. At the "URL to open" prompt, enter the URL of the page to which you want to go and press Return.
Navigating in Lynx
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Key(s)
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Action
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Up and Down Arrows
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Moves the cursor within the document to select a link.
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Right Arrow
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Follows the selected link to its associated document
(same as pressing Enter or Return).
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Left Arrow
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Returns to the previous document.
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Spacebar or +
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Scrolls forward in the document you're viewing.
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b or -
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Scrolls backward in the document you're viewing.
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Backspace
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Displays a history menu from which you can select links
you've previously used in your current session.
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i
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Displays the index file, which provides a variety of
starting points for exploring the Web.
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g
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Allows you to go to a URL by entering its address.
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h or ?
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Displays links to Lynx's online help.
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Lynx displays links to other documents as highlighted text. The Up and Down arrow keys are used to select links. Pressing the Enter or Return key follows the link to its associated document. A set of basic Lynx commands is displayed at the bottom of your screen for reference.
Searching for Text
To search for text within the current document, press / (forward slash) and enter the text you wish to find. Lynx will then move to the next occurrence of that text string or display an error if it is not found. Lynx will find all occurrences of the text string, even within other words. For example, the search string "account" might find "account," "accounts," and "accounting."
Lynx's Online Help
From the Lynx main page, press h to see the online help available to you.
Quitting Lynx
To quit Lynx, press q. If you have finished using the ITCS Login Service, be sure to log out by typing exit or logout at the % prompt and quit or exit the software you used to connect.
Additional Resources
Visit ITCS's
Information System to obtain ITCS computer documentation
and other resources. A list of relevant documents follows:
We welcome your comments; please send e-mail.
ITCS's Online Help Desk provides a variety of computing help resources.
For further help with lynx, send e-mail or phone (734) 764-HELP.
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