Thankfully, the FCBA now makes updated member information available on its website at www.fcba.org. With just a few clicks of a mouse, you can search for members' names, organizations, direct phone and fax numbers, main phone and fax numbers, and email addresses.

There are at least two ways to make this directory easily accessible on your computer. The traditional way is to add it to your "Bookmarks" or "Favorites" under Netscape Communicator or Internet Explorer, respectively. A second is to display it on your Desktop or your "Quick Launch" Toolbar, or both. This second approach will speed access by automatically launching your Internet browser and selecting the appropriate URL. Thus, you can avoid hunting for the reference in a possibly lengthy list of bookmarks or favorites.

FCBA DIRECTORY

Follow these simple instructions to create icons for the FCBA Directory:

Step 1: Point your Internet browser to the URL http://www.fcba.org/members/ and log on using your email address and member password. (The password is available from the FCBA at (202) 293-4000). This step will take you to the directory search page.

Step 2: Right click on the URL shown in the Location or Address box at the top of the browser and select "Copy."

Step 3: Go to your Desktop, right click on the screen, select "New," and then "Shortcut." This will bring up a pop-up window.

Step 4: Place your cursor in the box where it indicates "Type the location of the item," right click, and select "Paste." This will copy the URL for the FCBA's search page into the box. Alternatively, type "http://www.fcba.org/directory_search.php" into the box.

Step 5: Click on the "Next" button and type a name for the shortcut. I recommend "FCBA Directory."

Step 6: Hit "Finish" to return to the Desktop where the new shortcut will appear. If you would prefer a different logo, right click on the new shortcut icon you just created and select "Properties." This will take you to a different pop-up window that includes a button entitled "Change Icon." When you click on that button, an assortment of icons will appear. Select one by right clicking on it and hit "OK" until you return to the Desktop with the new logo shown.

Step 7: As an option, copy this new shortcut to your Quick Launch Toolbar (the bar at located next to the "Start" button usually at the bottom of your monitor, where shortcuts are available when other programs are maximized). Right click on the shortcut you just created for your Desktop and drag it to the Quick Launch Toolbar.

Test it out! Please note, though, that when FCBA changes its password, you will be directed initially to its login page. If this occurs, type in your email address again and the latest password.

FCC DIRECTORY

Contact information on FCC personnel is also available via the Internet. The FCC posts staff names, Bureaus or Offices, and telephone numbers on a searchable site located at http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/findpeople.pl. Additionally, the agency offers zipped database files and an associated program that may be downloaded for offline searches; however, I do not recommend this method when online access is available, as it requires the user to keep the files updated.

Repeat the same procedure to create a Desktop and a Quick Launch Toolbar icon for the FCC Directory (except that you would point your Internet browser in Step 1 to , ignore the references to password protections, and name the icon "FCC Phonebook").

Now, if we could only create such a shortcut for contact information on potential clients.