I noticed that the post I was going to be typing was my 100th post. So, I came over here to post it. By the time you read this, it will prob. be my 105th post, because I'm going over to Press @ GHT next. I was wondering if you guys remember these milestones in your postings @ JimWorld:

First: I have NO idea

100th (if any): This one

500th (if any): (n/a to me )

If you're reading this forum and haven't joined yet, this is THE CHANCE! Then, this can be your #1 ! Currently at other milestones in posting OR anywhere else in your life? Please post them here

Charlie

----------------------

CHECKING YOUR SITE FOR BROWSER COMPATIBILITY

Do you check all of your pages in several different browsers?

No? Then you are running a real risk of turning away a lot of traffic.

If you have fallen for the lie that Microsoft Rules when it comes to browsers, you aren't really listening. How much would you pay to get 20% more traffic to your site from a Pay-Per-Click directory? If you are making some of the current blunders, you are probably turning away that much traffic. Fix the problems and the traffic gets through and doesn't cost you a penny.


Blunder #1 - Netscape

If you use Cascading Style Sheets or Javascript on your pages and call for them from an external file, you MUST check your pages with Netscape. Especially version 4. Netscape won't read a page when any of the external files are not available. The visitor will get a 404 error, not for the HTML page but for the missing .css or .js file. That sends all Netscape users away forever. It sends them away wondering why you have not fixed your broken site. I know it irritates me and makes me wonder too.


Blunder #2 - Internet Explorer

We all love to have the latest and greatest technology to play with. Our self esteem demands it. So when Microsoft comes out with a new browser we run off to download it, replacing our older version.

The problem is that every release of IE gets more and more restrictive of features that Microsoft doesn't make any money on.

What does that do to the stuff on your site? So you fix it and now the new IE runs great on your site.

The problem is that the rest of the world is still running version 5 or even version 4. You have upgraded your site to version 6 and now the vast majority of people will be unable to use your site.

How about putting a redirector page that these people see that let's them know:

"If you are too stupid or lazy to download the browser that came out yesterday, please go away and never return. This site is not for idiots."


Blunder #3 - Nobody uses Macintosh computers any more.

Right. And your cat was really grateful when you had him neutered.

I suppose those millions of iMacs being sold are all used as boat anchors. Or door stops.

Trust me on this one, as it is pretty strange.

I've had people complain that Mac traffic coming to their site never converts to a sale. Mac users must be cheapskates.

When I visit the site in question using my Mac, the site doesn't even work in a Mac browser.

Right. Like the Mac users are the idiots.


Blunder #4 - Nobody uses the Opera browser except losers

This is a very common blunder. It seems to go hand in hand with proclaiming that only imported wine is worth drinking. Or that caviar doesn't taste like fish eggs.

The newest Opera beta release has some tricks in it that are converting IE users in large numbers. The browser is free and there is no reason for you to not have two or three versions on your computer. I'll review the new release in the next issue.

Fixing these oversights on your sites is pretty easy. Go get the browsers and find a Macintosh owner to help you check your pages when you change them.

If you are the Mac owner, you need to find a Windows owner to check your changes for you.

This is easy to do. Post a request for a site review in the forums and specify which brand of computer you need to find. Someone will be happy to help you if you'll help them out with your brand of computer.

Opera http://jimworld.com/go/to.cgi?l=g125opera

If you have a Blunder to contribute, add it to this discussion.

Charlie

p.s. Post #101 (101 Dowmations?)

...

Now they have 102 Dowmations, right???

(post #102)

What they do not understand is that the statists that make up those reports are not correct because they are only about the users that *can* get in and use the sites.. DOH.. of course it doesn't have the figures for the ones having trouble. That is my take on it anyways

With Opera's new Opera 6.0(beta) they have taken a HUGE step forward. This free browser was already popular with Linux users and now with it's newest version it is gaining rapid poularity. http://www.opera.com Given the security problems with IE, Opera offers a virus free browser (maybe should be reccommended on Scumware?) One thing to note, Opera does not show up on your logs as Opera unless the user sets it to do so in their preferences, it shows up as an IE browser. Good article Jim

If you read these forums, certainly you must have some ideas to contribute. The regular posters don't have the market cornered on good ideas. I think I have some good ideas to share, but I know that other people have excellent ideas.

Someone sent me a screen capture of my site thru netscape6. 3 images are replaced with ads to images.com. I put it here.. http://www.coolracer.com/netscape.htm

At 1st I thought this was a new image stealing scumware. becuase I also use netscape6 sometimes and saw the images just fine.

After further poking around I figured out netscape cant read img src="../images/photo.gif" when base href="my domain" in the head. Only images with the entire corect url displayed.

But they showed up fine for me in netscape????

I guess it's because it might have been taken the images from my hard drive with the file name happening to be the same as the short url, example ../images/photo.gif url is the same as the directory and file name on here.

Now I have to correct all the images to the entire url for netscape.

I just never knew this before and it confused me even more because I could see them fine ( but they where being filled in from my hard drive ).

I hope someone else finds my blunder helpfull.

[This message has been edited by MJR (edited 02-20-2001).]

Oops!..... Should I have waited??

Do I remember my milestone posts?

No-- I can hardly remember my last post!

AS to the SEFs:

[This message has been edited by bigDugan (edited 02-20-2001).]

netscape will follow a href link ../index.htm
but can't read img scr=../images/ect.gif. when base href is in head.

Just cause I haven't adjusted to thier change in code reading for ns6 fast enough, and they are a picky brouser to please, and cant even read tables edges right. Does not give them the permission to change my images ( broken in thier world or not) to advertizing that I did not put on the page!!!

No scumware here Netscape just put thier own ads themselfs in to fill up what was html 101 basic commands.

I guess you could say-- I've gone POSTal!

You are right about the VEGAS GAMBLING STRIP-- very addicting!!

I'll try to cut down on the WATTage!

You mean there's a counter to the left??? I was TOO BUSY with SEF CONTENT to notice there was a counter!

Dude, What's my COUNT?......Sweet....Dude, What's MY count?...

[This message has been edited by bigDugan (edited 02-20-2001).]

Replacing images with ads is low-life scum stuff of Biblical proportions.