Browser limitationsDownload addresses for Netscape and Internet Explorer
We intended to design our pages in a clear, easily readable way, but since the hypertext mark-up language (HTML) in some respects permits only very few layout possibilities, we were forced to incorporate a few design changes which unfortunately cannot be interpreted by every browser type and therefore, in such cases, not displayed.
It makes no difference whether you use Netscape or Internet Explorer. We have designed our pages in such a way that they can be interpreted by both browser types in virtually the same way. Of more importance is the version of the browser you are using, reference to which you will find below.
We can do nothing, of course to prevent browser errors. It was necessary for example, to replace the word 'tips' with the expression 'useful tips', apparently it was too short to be interpreted as a link in the left-hand frame by the Internet Explorer. Since this is the only way to reach the page, Internet Explorer users were unable to access it. If you should find such problems, please tell us.
Our window partitioning concept will mean using a browser which utilises frames. This applies to Netscape version 2.0 onwards, and Internet Explorer version 3.0 onwards. Since the introduction of HTML 4.0, frames have become a part of the official HTML standard. Unfortunately we don't have the time to write and manage a parallel site (without frames) suitable for older versions so it will be necessary for you to use one of these more modern versions.
Up to now we have used JavaScript only in two cases.
If JavaScript is deactivated or if your browser doesn't run it, a sequential bitmap won't appear, and it's possible that our pages may even appear within the frame of another website, but that would be all.
If you are using any one of the Netscape versions from 2.0 onwards, or Internet Explorer from version 3.0 onwards, and JavaScript is activated, you will be able to offset this problem.
In order to view our pages however, JavaScript is not necessary, although it is perhaps possible that we will decide to incorporate further JavaScript functions at some time in the future. Such changes would be described here in this section of the text.
Cascading style sheets (CSS), are a direct complement to HTML, and they form a language defining the format-characteristics of individual HTML commands. We are using CSS version 1.0 in order to control the format of all HTML pages for the separate HTML tags at a central point. This dramatically simplifies the management of our pages. Netscape version 4.0 onwards, and Internet Explorer 3.0 onwards include CSS.
In much the same way as with JavaScript, style sheets can be activated and deactivated, but only by these more modern browser versions. Deactivating CSS or the incapacity of your browser version to run it, will result primarily in you receiving the standard-formats of your browser version instead of the formats provided by us. Obviously such layouts won't look as good as we have planned.
There are two exceptions:
Those of you who have more recent browsers can simulate these functions by deactivating CSS. You will then see each place where CSS has an effect. Depending on each chosen colour or font, you may no longer recognise our pages... well, perhaps.
If only for reasons of security you should use a current version of Netscape or Internet Explorer. Since the introduction of version 4.0 of Internet Explorer almost every month new security loop-holes appeared, and in consequence continual updates from Microsoft were provided. Netscape is de facto considerably more secure. For JavaScript nevertheless there were problems with version 3.0 and also initially with version 4.0, which allowed the 'lifting' of passwords by online meetings.
If you are using Netscape or Internet Explorer / Outlook to receive e-mails, you ought to have a recent version. Not until August 1998 was it clear that mails with an exceptionally long subject (reference) and with shrewd manipulation, codes could be introduced into any desired computer. Simple reading of such an e-mail would suffice for data to go missing or would be sent willy-nilly to a third address.
A new security loop-hole became apparent at the beginning of October, 98, in which it is possible to read the contents of the browser cache by means of JavaScript and manipulating the pages. Its function is to locally save pages visited and to quickly reload them by the next visit to that address. By reading the cache the behaviour of the user can be easily observed. In the meantime Netscape has provided a patch, which is a form of update. This fault affects all versions which can run JavaScript.
In future we will not be making note of faults here in the text. That would require more scope than this site can provide, but a reminder perhaps that now and again an update will do no harm. Faults and security loop-holes will always occur.
| browser | download adresses |
|---|---|
| Netscape Navigator | home.netscape.com/download/index.html#clients |
| Microsoft Internet Explorer | www.microsoft.com/products/downloads/ |
If you intend to download the complete browser this usually means over 10 MB. This will take perhaps three quarters of an hour. If the version you already have is not so very old, then usually a 'patch' is preferable. Tips regarding patches can be found also at these addresses.
© unlimited - Stadtratte, 18/02/99 - www.nadir.org/nadir/initiativ/migration/