Configuration Issues:
1. Slide show or video won't play
2. AOL's image compression degrades photos
3. Adjust your monitor's color settings
1. Slide show or video won't play
Two issues could be at work here: security settings or missing codecs.
a. Security Issues
If you've downloaded the latest Microsoft upgrades or patches for your version of Windows, including the updates for Vista or SP-2 and SP-3 for Windows XP, you may encounter new security settings that prevent you from automatically viewing a slide show or video on this website. This new security is a good thing. But, now you must make a few extra clicks to see my slide shows. Here's how to "comply with" this new security feature.
The purpose of this new security is to protect you from the bad guys out there, i.e., make you think about where you are surfing. So, if you have this new security feature installed on your computer, you have a decision to make. If you don't trust me, click NO and the slide show or video will not run. If you take my word that my website contains no harmful scripts or ActiveX controls, click YES and view the slide show. The program that runs the slide shows and video, Memories on TV, was developed by CodeJam.com. Their program uses JavaScript and Flash to display the slide show-videos and that's what triggers the security warning. CodeJam is a reputable company selling great products. For your protection, all my webpages are scanned for spyware, malware and viruses before uploading to my website.
Here at the specific steps to deal with the new security features. You select a slide show on the main menu, but you see only a blank page. You might hear a "beep" if your volume control is set loud enough. The new security warning is often not noticed. It appears near the top of the screen, shaded a very pale yellow. It's a single line of text beginning with a yellow shield containing an exclamation point. Microsoft calls it an Information Bar. It looks like this:
When you click the Information Bar, as instructed, you see:
You can read more under the What's the Risk and Information Bar Help options. To view the slide show, you must click "Allow Blocked Content..." and then the following security warning appears:
You must click YES again to view the slide show. Of course, if you have disabled JavaScript on your computer, you cannot view the slide show. To enable JavaScript or determine whether it is enabled or disabled, follow these simple instructions for the web browser version you're using:
Go here for Microsoft Internet Explorer 5, 6, and 7; FireFox 1.5 and Opera 8 or 9.
Go here for FireFox 2.0 and later versions. This site will also run a test on your system and tell you (first line on the page) whether JavaScript is enabled or disabled on your computer.
b. Adobe Flash Player Needs Updating
You need Adobe's Flash Player to view the video on this website. The Flash Player is installed with Windows, but your player may be corrupted or out-of-date. You can install Adobe's Flash Player here. In some rare instances, you have to uninstall all versions of Flash Player and then re-install a fresh copy. Instructions to uninstall Flash Player are located here. There is no need to uninstall your player unless Flash video refuses to play. Another website to see if you can view Flash video is http://www.youtube.com.
2. AOL's image compression degrades photos
By default, AOL browsers (and some so called Hi-Speed Dial-up services like NetZero, Netscape, Earthlink Plus) use image compression to speed up downloads. The download gain is minimal unless you opt for highly compressed graphics. For example, AOL saves less than one second in a 20 second download. Compression can severely degrade the quality of photographs you view. In essence, the speed gain is not worth the adverse effects on image quality. To determine if you are viewing compressed images, go to this site and view a test graphic.
To view quality images on the web, AOL and hi-speed dial-up users should turn off image compression by the following the instructions at the test site or use the procedures for AOL Version 3.0 or AOL Versions 4 - 8.
It is important to empty the browser's cache because failing to do so can result in viewing old compressed images. Here is what to do:
a. Click on "My AOL" or "Settings".
b. Click on "Preferences" or "Internet Properties"
c. Click on "WWW" (Skip this step for AOL 7 and AOL 8)
d. Under "Temporary Internet Files", click on "Delete Files"
e. Check the "Delete all offline content" box
f. Click on "OK"
Hi-Speed Dial-up services like NetZero and Earthlink Plus provide a button to switch between their high speed (highly compressed graphics) and regular speed (normal graphics). If you subscribe to such a dial-up service, check for instructions to disable the "high speed" option. Better yet, get a true high speed internet connection from your cable TV provider or local phone company (DSL). Competition has greatly reduced prices.
3. Adjust your monitor's color settings
Make sure your monitor is set to High Color (16 bit) or higher (32-bit). If you are still viewing graphics at lower settings like 256 Colors or 16 Colors, you are really missing out. Right-click your mouse on any unused area on your desktop, and a little menu will open with commands like "Refresh" and "Arrange Icons." Click on the "Properties" command. A new menu will open called "Display Properties." Click the tab called "Settings." The page that opens will have a "Colors" setting. It should read "High Color (16 Bit)" or "True Color (32 Bit)"; if not, change it to one of those settings. True Color (32 Bit) is the best setting, but your older PC may not support it. Some computers will require you to reboot (restart) your computer for those settings to take effect.
