◊ What is a Java Applet?
◊ How Do I Make "Bcc:" Appear On My E-mail Window?
◊ What's The Meaning Of "HTTP Error 404 - File Not Found?"
◊ What Is The Difference Between Favorites And Bookmarks?
◊ Blocking Unwanted Websites
◊ Why Are Some URL Links Within E-mail Messages Not "Clickable?"
◊ What Is The Proper Method Of Replying To E-mail Messages?
◊ How Do I Open E-mail Attachments Using Outlook Express 6.0?
◊ How Do I Get Rid Of Pop-up Windows That Appear When I Am Surfing The Web?
◊ Copying Large Sections Of Text The Easy Way
◊ How To Increase Your Browser's Type Size
◊ Can I Have More Than One Browser Window Open At One Time?
◊ What Is An SMTP Server And A POP3 Server?
◊ What Do The Various Parts Of A Web Address Mean?
◊ How To Read Web Pages With Dark Backgrounds
◊ How Do I Know If I'm Connected To A "Secure Server?"
◊ What Are Those Empty Boxes With Red X's?
◊ Is There A Shortcut Method For Deleting E-mail Messages?
◊ How Do You "Drag and Drop?"
◊ What Is A Browser Plug-in?
◊ Will Microsoft Still Support Windows 98?
◊ How Do I Print Only Sections Of Pages Rather Than Entire Documents?
◊ Web Browser Not Accepting "Cookies?"
◊ What Do The Numbers In Versions Of Browsers Mean?
◊ How Do I Know Which Service Packs Have Been Installed On My Computer?
◊ Help With E-mail/Chat Room Acronyms
◊ What Does "OS" Mean?
◊ What Is A "Read Receipt" Message?
◊ How Do I Stop Annoying Animations And Irritating Music On Websites?
◊ I've heard someone mention a "buffer" when referring to listening to music online. What is a buffer?
◊ Can You View More Than One Browser Window At A Time?
 

What is a Java Applet?

 Question:  So just what is a Java Applet?

Answer: Everyone who uses the Internet has come across some form of Java while browsing but since Java occurs in the background, most users never know it. There are two forms of Java commonly used in the design of web pages, the JavaScript script and the Java Applet. They both add visual appeal and functionality to websites and web pages.

JavaScript scripts are written and added to web pages to provide interactivity between the Internet user and the web page. When you see things moving on the web page, when buttons change as you roll over them with the mouse, when banners or ads rotate from one to another and when graphics scroll, these are often effects performed by JavaScript scripts. JavaScript is a scripting language originally developed by Netscape and was called "LiveScript." The name was changed after Sun Microsystems' new programming language, called Java, became so popular. The drawback is that Netscape Navigator and Microsoft's Internet Explorer interpret JavaScript scripts differently. In addition, because interpretation is left up to the web browser, Windows users, Macintosh users and Linux users will all see the JavaScript script operate differently, if at all.

On the other hand, a Java Applet is a small computer application written in Java that is downloaded to your computer via the Internet. You see these frequently with online games and chat rooms--places where more interactivity is required and where the program would need to work on any type of machine or operating system. Java programs, or Applets, are not interpreted directly by your web browser. Instead, a Java Applet must be compiled (translated) from the programming language into a language that can be "read" by your computer. Java compilers are independent of any particular machine. This means that Java Applets will operate the same on Windows machines, Macintosh machines and Linux machines.  Back to top

Blocking Unwanted Websites
  Question: My oldest child, a ten-year-old boy, currently only uses the Internet to do research for schoolwork. He just began doing this last month. Although I do sit with him as he is doing his online research, I am concerned about the "adult" material he may come across when he's doing his online searches. Any suggestions?

Answer: It's wise that you are monitoring your son's use of the Internet as he does his research. A simple option to utilize (and one that most people don't know about) is the implementation of filters that are provided by most search engines. These "Web Content Filters" can be adjusted to screen offensive websites from showing up when doing searches within a particular search engine. (They do not work outside the search engine.) To find and set these filters, see below:
 
◊ AltaVista - Click your cursor arrow on the "More" link on altavista.com, then click on the "Family Friendly Filter" link. From here, you can customize your password-protected filter preference.
◊ Ask Jeeves - This search engine has a specific website entitled "Ask Kids for Jeeves," (AJKids.com) that provides "G" rated sites as search results.
◊ Google - Click your cursor arrow on the "Preferences" link on google.com. Choose the desired filtering level next to the "SafeSearch Filtering" header. You'll need to adjust the SafeSearch settings on a per-search-basis if you are using Google's "Advanced Search" or "Advanced Image Search" options.
◊ Lycos - Click your cursor arrow on the "Parental Controls" link found on lycos.com. Choose the desired filtering options from the password protected Lycos SearchGuard.

Each of the above search engine filters will reduce the likelihood that your son will be exposed to inappropriate content when doing a search. However, none of these filters are perfect. The content of pages changes daily and the filters only work as long as the user is within a particular search engine in which the filters have been set. In addition, some of these filters rely on cookie technology, so if the cookies on the user's computer are deleted, the corresponding filter settings will be turned off as well.

Before your son gets much older and begins to use the Internet more often, we strongly suggest that you obtain a filtering application to help protect your family from the offensive material they may come across while on the Web. The cost is nominal and well worth the small investment. It'd be a great gift for your family this Christmas!  Back to top

1. Open Outlook Express.
2. Click your cursor arrow on "Tools" in the menu bar, and select "Options."
3. When the "Options" window opens, click your cursor arrow on the Security tab.
4. A checked box will appear that says "Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that could potentially be a virus." Click your cursor arrow on the box to uncheck it.
5. Click "OK" to save the change and then close Outlook Express. When you re-open Outlook Express, you should now be able to open incoming e-mail attachments. Remember to scan all e-mail attachments with your virus scanning software before opening them -- even if the attachment is from a friend. Back to top

How To Increase Your Browser's Type Size
 Question: Is there anything I can do about font sizes that are too small to easily read on web pages? It can be frustrating sometimes.

Answer: Yes. Both Internet Explorer and Netscape browsers provide an easy method of either increasing or decreasing the size of text on a web page.

Here's how:

Internet Explorer Using a PC: 

1. Click your cursor arrow on "View" located on the menu bar found at the top of your computer screen.
2. Move your cursor arrow down to "Text Size." You can now choose a larger (or smaller) font size from the resulting submenu.

Netscape 4.7x Using a PC: 

1. Click your cursor arrow on "View" located on the menu bar found at the top of your computer screen.
2. Move your cursor arrow down and select "Increase font." This will automatically increase the font size. If the resulting size of font is still too small, repeat the procedure again to further increase the text size. You can also decrease the font size by utilizing the same procedure.

Note: When manually overriding the size of the text on a web page, you are changing the desired "look" of that page which was developed by the person who designed it. So, if the result is that the page looks bad after you've made a customized text size revision, you'll know the reason.

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What Is An SMTP Server And A POP3 Server?
 Question: What is an SMTP server and how is it different than a POP3 server?

Answer: Both types of servers have to do with handling e-mail messages. The acronym "SMTP" stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. The SMTP server sits at our location (your Internet Service Provider's office) and is used to forward each of your e-mail messages to the correct destination. The acronym "POP3" stands for Post Office Protocol Version #3. The POP3 server is used to collect incoming e-mail destined for an Internet Service Provider's customers.

Here's how the SMTP and POP3 servers work: After you connect to the Internet, open up your e-mail client and retrieve your e-mail messages, your e-mail program logs on to the POP3 server at our office in order to retrieve e-mail messages that are addressed to you. When you send an outgoing e-mail, your e-mail program sends the message to a SMTP server located at our shop, which then forwards it out over the Internet. The message is collected at the recipient's POP3 server located at his/her ISP until the recipient retrieves the messages to read it.  Back to top

How To Read Web Pages With Dark Backgrounds
 Question: I find it quite difficult to read web pages that have dark text on a dark background. Is there an easy way to make these readable?

Answer: Sometimes a background doesn't load correctly which makes the text difficult to read. Other times, honestly, web pages with dark text on a dark background are simply due to poor website design. Either way, some pages are just plain hard to read.

Give this simple trick a try next time you come to a web page that is difficult to read due to a dark background—simultaneously hit the "CTRL" key and the "A" key on your keyboard (the "Command" key and "A" key when using a Macintosh). This will highlight (select) the entire page. The background color will most likely then turn a light shade of blue and the text will be white. The result is still not ideal but it's easier reading than trying to decipher dark text on a black background. Back to top

How Do I Know If I'm Connected To A "Secure Server?"
 Question: When I provide credit card information to a retail merchant online, is it really secure? Also, how do I know if I'm connected to a "secure server" when using my credit card to buy something online?

Answer: Both Microsoft Internet Explorer's and Netscape Navigator's (version 2.0 and newer) web browsers use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology to encrypt transaction data (i.e. credit card transactions) before the information is sent over the Internet. SSL scrambles personal and credit card data thereby keeping it private during its transmission. When you logon to a secure server at an online merchant's site, the secure server communicates with your browser by sending encrypted (coded) information that only the secure server and your browser can read. The communication between the web page and your browser is normal, except that all information coming or going is now coded.

Encryption technology makes it extremely difficult for any third party intercepting credit card related communication to decode or decipher the message. If you are buying something online, make sure to place orders online only from those retail sites that provide ordering access through a secure server. Encryption technology is not 100% foolproof, but you probably have a better chance of getting ripped off by a sales clerk copying your credit card number at a convenience store than getting your information stolen over the Internet.

Here are a few things to look for to ensure that the merchant is utilizing a secure server before you proceed with an online purchase: 

◊ When you go to a secure site or secure web page, a warning dialog box will appear on your screen telling you that you are entering a secure site or page. Likewise, you will see a warning dialog box appear if you leave a secure page and go to an insecure website or web page. You may not see these warning boxes if you or someone who uses your computer has turned off this warning.
◊ Look for an unbroken key or padlock at the bottom of your browser window when filling out your order online. This indicates that the merchant utilizes software that allows the transaction to be encrypted using SSL technology prior to its transmission.
◊ Check the URL in your browser's address or location window. The web address will begin with "https://" rather than just "http://" if your transaction is secure. The "s" stands for secure.

If the online merchant does not have a secure server, it is recommended that you place your order over the telephone rather than transmitting your credit card information online. When ordering by phone, remember to always ask for the customer service representative's name and obtain a confirmation order number.  Back to top

What Are Those Empty Boxes With Red X's?
 Question: Why do I sometimes receive e-mail messages that contain empty boxes with red "X's" within the message pane rather than pictures? My friends say the same thing happens to them.

Answer: Graphics and photos contained within an e-mail message are often times not really "stored" within the e-mail message itself but rather on a remote Web server (computer). If the message you receive is in an HTML format (supposed to have graphics or photos as part of the message) and a little box with a red "X" shows up instead of the image, there has probably been a broken connection somewhere between the image link within the e-mail message and the remote Web server where the image is actually stored.

Causes for a broken path between a graphic and a Web server can be as simple as a typo by the person who keyed in the web address of the image's server. When this occurs, the request for the image goes to a server location where no image exists. It is similar to looking for a business at 123 North Main Street when the correct address is 123 South Main Street. The result is the appearance of a little box with a red "X" within the message pane indicating an error message has occurred.

Another possible cause for a broken connection could be due to a power outage somewhere between your computer and the location of the image's Web server.

Additionally, if you are in the habit of downloading your e-mail messages and then closing your Internet connection to review your messages, the same problem will occur. If images within any of your incoming e-mail messages are stored at a remote server location, your computer will not be able to access them as you are no longer connected to the Internet. Again, a little box with a red "X" will indicate an error.

Note: Different e-mail clients and Web browsers use different symbols for a broken graphic link. For instance, Apple's Safari Web browser uses a blue box with a question mark symbol.

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Is There A Shortcut Method For Deleting E-mail Messages?
 Question: When I delete an e-mail from my inbox, it goes into the "Deleted Items" folder of my Outlook Express e-mail client. In order to get rid of this e-mail from my computer, I then need to open my Deleted Items Folder and delete it a second time. I must be doing something wrong. Do I actually need to delete each discarded e-mail twice to remove it permanently?

Answer: Outlook Express has you delete each e-mail message twice as a precautionary measure so that you won't permanently delete e-mail messages by accident. However, you don't really have to do it twice for each and every e-mail. You can empty your entire Deleted Items Folder all at once by right clicking on the folder and selecting "Empty 'Deleted Items' Folder." (You can do the same thing by going to the Edit menu.) Again, requiring the user to take two steps to delete e-mail messages is Outlook Express's safety measure to ensure that e-mail messages are not deleted prematurely.

That being said, there is a short cut method for permanently deleting an e-mail message before it hits your Deleted Items Folder. This works for the latest Windows versions of Internet Explorer and Netscape. The next time you go to delete an item, hold down the "Shift" key and then the "Del" key. This will delete the selected e-mail immediately and permanently, bypassing the Trash or Deleted Items Folder. Use this option with care, however. Outlook Express will ask you if you're sure you want to proceed, but Netscape does not. Once it's gone...it's really gone!

What if you have more than one e-mail you want to permanently delete from your inbox using the shortcut method above? Just press down your "CTRL" key as you click the items you want to delete and then follow the procedure above.

Once again, remember, this gets rid of the items forever, so be careful with it!  Back to top

How Do You "Drag and Drop?"
 Question: People often refer to "dragging and dropping" files, text, etc. What does this mean?

Answer: Dragging and dropping is the simple procedure of "picking up" something (a selected file, text, picture, etc.), "dragging" or moving it to a new location on your computer, and then "dropping" or placing it at the new location.

To drag and drop an item, click on the file that you want to move to a new location with your left mouse button (if you have one). Now, keeping that mouse button pressed down, move the item by "dragging" it with your mouse to the desired destination. Once you have the item hovering over its new home, release the left mouse button and the file will be automatically "dropped" into place. You've just "dragged and dropped!"  Back to top

What Is A Browser Plug-in?
 Question: I've heard people refer to plug-ins on browsers? What is a browser plug-in?

Answer: A Web browser plug-in is an application that works with your browser to either display certain types of web media or add some functionality that was not originally built into the browser. For example, some website creators use Shockwave to allow users to view interactive 3D simulations or to participate in interactive games. In order to view the 3D simulations or play the games, the user needs to have the Shockwave plug-in downloaded onto his/her browser. Other common examples of plug-ins are Quicktime and Windows Media Player both which allow users to listen and/or view audio and video Web media, Flash which allows browsers to interact with web applications (mainly animations), and Acrobat Reader which allows users to read PDF documents.

So how do you know which plug-ins you're going to need to add to your browser? No worries. When you come to a website that requires a plug-in, either the plug-in is already pre-installed on your browser and will run automatically or, if the plug-in isn't already installed on your browser, instructions will be automatically displayed regarding how to download it. Most plug-ins have free versions.

For the most part, newer browsers come with the most common plug-ins. You may need to update to the latest version from time to time, but you'll be prompted by the plug-in application when it's time to do so.  Back to top

Will Microsoft Still Support Windows 98?
 Question: I still use Microsoft's Windows 98 for my computer's operating software. I heard that Microsoft does not support Windows 98 any longer. Is this true?

Answer: Microsoft's support of Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition was scheduled to end on January 16, 2003. (Microsoft offers a minimum of five years of "mainstream support" from the date of a product's general availability.) However, the company has extended its support of these products through June 30, 2006. Microsoft will continue to provide information pertaining to critical issues (including security updates) that affect these operating systems.

For more information about Microsoft's announced extension of support for Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, and Windows Millennium, go to: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;LifeAn1

For critical security update information for Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition, go to: http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp

To read about security bulletins from Microsoft that affect your operating system (Windows 98 and others) go to: http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/

To find the free online self-help area of Microsoft, go to: http://support.microsoft.com/
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How Do I Print Only Sections Of Pages Rather Than Entire Documents?
 Question: I wanted to print a hard copy of a tutorial for future reference from an eNewsletter. When I've attempted to do this, I not only got the tutorial section but the entire eNewsletter as well. I only want the tutorial section printed off. Can you help me?

Answer: There are two ways to avoid printing the entire newsletter. First, select the text or area you want to print by highlighting it. (Click where you want to start and, while holding the left mouse button down, drag your cursor to where you want the selection to end, then release the mouse button. The selected text will have a different background color.) Press the "Print" button on the Outlook Express tool bar. When the "Print" dialog box appears, look for the "Page Range" area. There will be three choices. Click on "Selection" and then click on the "Print" button. The highlighted text will be printed.

If your system doesn't have this option, simply highlight the section you want to print, copy the text out of the newsletter (by choosing "Copy" from the Edit drop-down menu), and then paste the text (by choosing "Paste" from the Edit drop-down menu) into some sort of word processing document (i.e. Word, AppleWorks, etc.). Then just print that page.  Back to top

Ask The Help Desk - Web Browser Not Accepting "Cookies?"
 Question: I have the cookie settings on my Internet Explorer 6 browser disabled so that my computer does not accept any cookies. I just came across a website that does not provide me with full access to the site unless I accept its cookies. I have enabled my cookie settings so that I can gain access to this site but it still won't allow me to access it. What else do I need to do to make this work? (My operating system is Windows XP.)

Answer: The cookie settings are more involved than just turning them on or off when using Internet Explorer 6 on a PC. In fact, there are six different cookie settings ranging from "Block All Cookies" to "Accept All Cookies." The default setting is medium and if you've adjusted it back to that, it's possible that the current setting is not low enough for some sites. Gradually "loosen up" on your cookie settings until the site works by clicking your cursor arrow on the "Tools" menu, dropping down to "Internet Options," and then clicking on the "Privacy" tab. Lower your cookie settings slider one notch and click on the "Apply" button. Close the "Internet Options" window and try your site again. If you are still unsuccessful, repeat the process by lowering your cookie settings by one notch until the site works properly.

If your browser is still not accepting cookies from the site, close Internet Explorer and relaunch it. Check your cookie settings and then try the site again. If that still doesn't work, a restart of your computer may do the trick.  Back to top

What Do The Numbers In Versions Of Browsers Mean?
 Question: When I upgraded to Windows XP, I noticed the numbers behind the name of my browser (Internet Explorer) jumped up to 6.0. I've seen this sort of thing with other software programs as well. Some programs have as many as three numbers after the name of the product. What do these numbers mean?

Answer: The numbers behind each version of a piece of software do have specific meanings. Software developers update their programs on a periodic basis. A standard numbering or lettering sequence is used to differentiate between updated versions.

The first number listed after the name of a software product represents the "major" version number. Normally these are only changed if there have been many major improvements to the program. For example, Internet Explorer 6 is the sixth major version of Microsoft's browser.

The second number represents a minor update. Possibly a feature or two has been added to improve the program, but the overall program has remained the same. For example, Netscape 7.2 is the seventh major version and has had two minor feature updates.

The third number (sometimes separated from the first two with a period, sometimes not) represents a bug fix. Adobe's Acrobat Reader is now up to 6.0.2. It's had six major versions, no minor updates, and two bug fixes.

While this updating format is used for many software programs, some use letters rather than numbers, especially for minor updates and bug fixes.

To find the version number of a program on your computer, with the program running, click your cursor arrow on "Help" on the program's menu bar, then find "About (PROGRAM NAME)." The version number should be listed there. On a Macintosh, with the program running, look under the program's name next to the apple on the menu bar for the "About" information.  Back to top

How Do I Know Which Service Packs Have Been Installed On My Computer?
 Question: My computer uses Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition as its operating system. I have automatic updates set up but how do I know if the new Service Pack 2 (SP2) has been installed on my computer?

Answer: If you are curious to find out which service packs or software updates have been installed on your PC running Windows XP Home Edition, do the following:

1. Click your cursor arrow on the "START" menu located at the bottom left of your screen. Click on "My Computer" from the resulting pop-up menu.
2. When the "My Computer" screen appears, you will see a list of items along the left side. Click on "View system information." The "System Properties" screen will then appear.
3. Click on the "General" tab and you will see all of your system information listed including which version of Windows you are running and which service packs have been installed.  Back to top

What Does "OS" Mean?
 Question: I was reading a computer-related article the other day and it mentioned "OS." I've heard "OS" mentioned in conversations but I've never known what it meant. What is it?

Answer: "OS" stands for "Operating System." It's the system that makes your computer run. There are several popular systems available on the market. Macintosh OSX (that's "Oh Es Ten"), Windows in its various flavors from 95, to 98, to XP, and Linux in its various forms. If you're having trouble with your computer and you are talking to a tech support person, he/she will usually ask you what OS you are running. Your answer will most likely be one of the aforementioned systems. Back to top

What Is A "Read Receipt" Message?
 Question: I recently opened an e-mail message from a friend and got a strange pop-up message that said something like, "The Message sender has requested a response to indicate that you have read the message. Would you like to send a receipt?" What does this mean? (I use Outlook Express on a Windows machine.)

Answer: The message you described means that the person who sent you the e-mail is requesting an acknowledgement that you opened and read it. It's called a "Read Receipt" message. Most e-mail programs allow you to ask for Read Receipts when sending e-mail messages. Many also allow you to acknowledge Read Receipts when receiving these messages. E-mail software programs do not automatically send Read Receipt requests to e-mail recipients unless the sender first changes the settings on his/her e-mail software program. (See the tutorial section below.) The recipient can then authorize a reply message (receipt) to go back to the sender by clicking "OK" on the pop-up message or he/she can click "Cancel" which does not allow a receipt message to be sent back to its origin. Back to top