Helpful Hints

Having Trouble Viewing Our Website?

We Hope These Tips Will Help

Common Difficulties

I have to scroll left and right to see the entire page: (Top) This site is intended to be viewed at a screen resolution of 800 pixels wide x 600 pixels high. A pixel is a dot on your monitor screen. While this is the standard (default) resolution for 17" monitors and most 15" monitors, you may need to change your current resolution. If you cannot see the entire page (left to right) simply follow these instructions.

The colors of the graphics appear washed out or grainy: (Top) Your monitor may be set to display only 16 colors. This is fairly common, even for a new computer system. This site should be viewed at a minimum of 256 colors, and is best viewed at 65,000 colors, or more. Most monitors are capable of being reset to display at least 256 colors. If you are experiencing this problem follow these instructions.

The page layout looks strange, some of the graphics do not display or do not line up properly: (Top) This site uses tables to sectionalize the some of the pages. Tables on a website are similar to tables in a word processor document. They form a grid, into which we have placed some or all of the text and graphics you see on your screen. Most of these tables are invisible because they have a transparent border, while some have visible borders. If your web browser (the software that you use to connect to the internet) does not support tables, the page layout will be jumbled, and some of the graphics may not line up properly. To correct this you will need to download a newer (and most likely free) version of your browser from the publishers website.

Some of the features on the website don't work properly (pull-down menus, counters, the search engine, etc.): (Top) These features require that you have a web browser (the software that you use to connect to the internet) that supports what is a fairly recent version of Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) called "HTML version 3.2". This is similar to saying that a particular program requires Windows 95 in order to run, and will not run under Windows 3.1. If you are experiencing these problems you will need to download a newer (free!) version of your browser. Follow these instructions.

A note about frames: (Top) One of the more recent developments in web browsers (the software that you use to connect to the internet) is support for "frames". When you visit a website that uses frames your browser window is divided up into two or more smaller windows. A different page is displayed in each window. If your browser does not support frames you will receive an error message when you try to open the framed page. Our website uses frames. If your browser does not support frames you will see a banner informing you of this when you first visit our website. If you receive this warning, simply download one of the updated browsers discussed below.

 

Changing your display properties: (Top) Changing your display properties in Windows 95 is simply a matter of pressing the "Start" button, selecting "Settings" and opening the "Control Panel". From inside the Control Panel, double-click the "Display" icon and use the "Display Properties" dialog box to make the necessary adjustments. You may need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect, so it's a good idea to close all programs before making any changes. Also, it's best to adjust the screen size (called "Desktop Area" in the dialog box) first, restart your computer, and then adjust your screen color count (referred to as "Color Palette" in the dialog box). If you are not offered the "800 by 600 pixels" option, you will also need to change the "Display Type".

 

Follow these steps: (1) click on the "Change Display Type" button, (2) click the "Change" button in the next box (to the right of "Monitor Type"), (3) click the "Show All Devices" radio button, (4) select "Standard Monitor Types", (5) select "Super VGA 800 x 600" and then click "OK". You may be asked for your Windows 95 CD. Close all windows. You will probably have to restart your computer at that time.

Downloading a newer version of your browser: (Top) You should be able to find the most recent version of your current browser at their website. Often it will be free of charge and you may simply download the latest version. We do not endorse any specific browser, nor is this website written to be best viewed with any specific browser. However, we do suggest that the browser you use is:

  • · Compliant with HTML version 4.0
  • · Capable of properly viewing tables, image maps and frames
  • · Capable of properly interpreting JavaScript version 1.2
  • · Macromedia Flash / Shockwave enabled (standard plug-in)
  • · Cookies enabled (default setting)
  • · Navigation of sub-frames across domain enabled (default setting)

How to set up your printer to print the full page (side-to-side): (Top) Your printer may not automatically print the entire page from side to side. Resetting the left, right, top and bottom margins to 0.25" in your Page Setup dialog should allow you to print the entire screen width on a page. Look for the "Page Setup" command on the menu bar of your browser. It is probably under the "File" pull-down menu. Some printers are not capable of 0.25" margins. In that case, the minimum allowable margin will be automatically set by your printer driver.