• My Web browser often crashes while using your site.
  
• I have trouble reading the text because it is too small.
  
• What are "cookies"?
  
• My friend told me that the site had been updated, but I can only see the old content.
  
• The pictures are fuzzy or distorted while browsing via AOL.
  
• How do I cut and paste in AOL?

My Web browser often crashes while using your site.

All Web browsers will sometimes crash. However, if your browser usually crashes at a few particular sites, then your browser may have problems with some of the Java or Javascript on this or other sites. You should either disable Java and Javascript, or upgrade to a newer version of your Web browser. (Netscape and Internet Explorer are both over version 4) To disable Java and Javascript in Netscape 3 do the following:

1. Click on "options" in the top menu bar.
2. Select "Network Preferences"
3. Click the "Languages tab"
4. Click on the checkboxes next to Java and Javascript. (empty is off)

I have trouble reading the text because it is too small.

There are three ways this problem can be addressed. Newer Web browsers can have their default font sizes changed. To change the font size in Netscape 4.5 do the following:

1. Click on "View" at the top of your Netscape window
2. Select "Increase Font"
3. Repeat as desired

What are "cookies"?

Cookies are lines of text that are placed on your machine by a Web browser.   Almost all e-commerce Web sites use them.  They enable a Web site to provide functionality such as shopping carts and personalization of Web pages.  They can also cut down on the frequency with which you have to enter password information.

My friend told me that the site had been updated, but I can only see the old content.

Web browsers often "cache" pages that you visit. This means that they keep a copy of the page on your hard drive. Rather than re-downloading Web pages from the internet, the browser just grabs the old copy from the browser's cache. Usually clicking on the refresh or reload button will allow you to view the current pages. Most browsers can be configured to always get a new version of the page. For example, this is how you would do it with Netscape 4.5.

1. Click on Edit at the top of the Netscape window.
2. Click on the bottom option "Preferences" (called "options" in some browsers)
3. Double Click on the last option "Advanced"
4. Click on "Cache"
5. Select "Once per Session"

The pictures are fuzzy or distorted while browsing via AOL.

We recommend switching off AOL's image compression option. This should improve your picture quality.

How do I cut and paste in AOL?

Web addresses can be copied in the same way you would cut and paste text in a word processing program.  While not all Web browsers have the same controls and menu choices, the commands for copying text are pretty much universal.

1. In the activation/welcome e-mail you received, find the URL (Web address) you need to go to in order to activate your account.   It will  start with the letters 'http' and end with a series of letters and numbers.

2. Using your mouse, position the cursor on your screen just in front of the letter h in 'http'.

3. PC users hold down the left mouse button while moving the mouse to the right.  Mac users hold down the mouse button while moving the mouse.   As you move the cursor over the text, it will become highlighted.  Continue moving the mouse to the right, until the entire Web address has been highlighted, then release the mouse button.

4. At the top of your screen, click on the Edit menu, and then click on Copy, or you can simply hold down the control key on your keyboard (mac users hold down the Command key), and press the C key.   This will copy the address to your system's clipboard.

5.  If your Web browser isn't already running, open it.  AOL users will have to go to AOL's Web page.

6. At the top of your Web browser's window, you should see the word Location, Net site or Address, depending on your browser.  To the right of this you will see the URL for the page you're currently looking at.  Highlight this text (just like you did the Web address in the e-mail message) and press the Delete or Backspace key on your keyboard.

7. Now go to the Edit menu at the top of your screen and select Paste.  Alternatively, you may instead hold down the control key (command key for Mac users) and press the V key on your keyboard.  This will paste the Web address from the activation e-mail into your browser.

8.  Finally, press the Return or Enter key on your keyboard.

You will now be taken to the activation page for your account.