General Information
The new, open source version of the Wayback Machine features a special mode referred to as Proxy mode. Using this mode keeps the browser from being re-directed to the live web because only links from a specified host (in this case the Wayback Machine) will be viewable. This means any attempts made to redirect to the live web will be thwarted and the link will be forced back through a wayback machine server and only the archived version of a link will be viewed.
Using proxy mode is an excellent way to check the quality and completeness of the archived websites. This mode will reveal if the crawler missed javascript, flash and/or other files that can be difficult to archive. Using proxy mode, as you will see below is a very manual process at this point. However there are ways to make browsing easier and we are working on implementing these into the Archive-It application. If you would like to set up proxy links on your portal sites, let me know and we can help. Keep in mind that there will probably always be a manual step involved when you switch into and out of proxy mode.
You will need to manually add the proxy server information into your web browser when using this mode (see below). Once the proxy is applied to your browser window you will be able to browse the archives as you would normally. Generally these settings are found under connection settings in your web browser's settings. There are also a few plug-in's you can download to be able to easily switch your proxy on and off. I recommend using Firefox if you can as the plug in is especially easy to use.
Setting up a Proxy in your Web Browser
The HTTP proxy settings for Archive-It are: wayback.archive-it.org The port number is: 9000 + [your collection number]
For example, collection 123 would use port #9123
You will need to enter these into the HTTP proxy settings.
Firefox
Under tools, click on options. Under the general tab select connection settings then select manual proxy configuration. Add the proxy information into the HTTP proxy settings box.
There is a toolbar plug-in that dramatically eases access to proxy settings in Firefox. The tool is called Switch Proxy and can be downloaded from here: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/125
; Download the plug-in in Firefox then quit and restart your browser. When you restart you will see the toolbar at the top of your brower. Click "add" to add the Wayback Machine HTTP proxy settings (a standard proxy will work fine).
When the settings are all set, you can select them from the toolbar drop down menu on the left of the toolbar. Once you have the proxy you want selected, click "Apply". Your status message will change to reflect that you are now operating in proxy mode. When you want to switch back, select "none" from the drop down menu and hit apply again.
Internet Explorer
Under tools, select internet options, then the connections tab. Next, click on LAN settings and check the box under Proxy server next to "use a proxy server for your LAN...". When you are done using the proxy, unclick the box.
I have found two free toolbar/button tools, but do not have much experience with either. They should work very similarly to the switch proxy tool in Firefox. If you use these, please let me know how they worked. You can also post information directly to the wiki. If there are other tools you like better, also send or post information about those.
Proxypal: http://www.bartdart.com/
Pick a Proxy: http://www.proxylistonline.com/index_checker.html
Safari
Under preferences, click on the advanced tab, then next to proxies select "change proxy". Click on Web Proxy (HTTP) and enter the Wayback Proxy information, then click "apply now".
There are no plug-ins to facilitate access to Safari web proxies.
Browsing in Proxy Mode
You will apply proxy mode when you get to an archived page, for example: http://wayback.archive-it.org/202/20060207235405/http://state.al.us/ . Once you have the proxy mode set up for the collection you are viewing, you will need to apply the proxy then remove the prefix to the archival url (looking at the link above you would need to remove http://wayback.archive-it.org/202/20060207235405/) and reload the page (the proxy will already know to look for the Wayback Machine prefix). The url will look like you are on the live web and the public disclaimer will disappear so this might be confusing at first. However as long as you have the proxy mode activated you will be browsing the archive. If you find a link that is not archived you will see a "not in archive" error message.
To change the date instance of an archived page you are viewing, you will need to copy the page url of your current location then enter http://wayback.archive-it.org into the address window of your browser window. From this search page, paste the url you were viewing into the search box and click "take me back". Now you can click on the desired date. Browsing will be restricted to this date instance until you switch to a different version.
