Where are the images?

or

Why won't the pictures change?

I'd like to just say "beats me" because it's often the truth. But I know it won't do, so here's what's going on, or supposed to be going on.

To try the quick fix, you can look here:

Internet Explorer
Netscape
Firefox
Opera
Special Note for America Online Users

I use two methods of making these cards work, Java and Javascript. Being a reasonable person, you'd assume because of the similarity in names that they must be pretty much the same thing, but that isn't the case. Remember that this whole system was designed by people who abounded in intelligence but were quite lacking in reasonability. Javascript is a set of instructions built into your web browser (Internet Explorer, Netscape, et al) telling it how to do something, such as bring up another image when you put your mouse pointer over the picture area. Java, on the other hand, is a tiny independent set of instructions that are temporarily downloaded onto your computer along with the webpage in the form of an applet (who names these things anyway? We could use a little less cute and a little more function, in my opinion). When you close the page, the applet gets deleted.

The point of all this is, you must have Javascript and Java enabled in your browser to make the cards work. Before you start digging in the settings, I recommend you get the latest version of whatever browser you like. I know, I know, it's a pain in the backside to have to download and install. At least they're free, and there are actually good reasons you should upgrade. I'm going to explain those reasons someday in an essay that promises to be very tedious, which is why I haven't written it yet. There are links to the most popular browsers at the bottom of this page along with my opinion of each (for what that's worth), you can jump to those links by clicking here.

Now, the nuts and bolts:

Internet Explorer

In their never ending quest to make sure you have as little control over your computer as possible, Bill and Co. have by far the most difficult settings to adjust. First off, make a good mental note of these instructions because not only are the settings difficult to find, once you open the window to adjust them your browser will be useless for anything else. The IE Settings window will stay glued on top of everything, eliminating your control of anything else to do with IE until you close it again. If anyone reading this works for Microsoft and can explain the point of this, please send me an email and I'll post it so we all can know. Ok, here's what should work:

Click "Tools" on the menu bar
Then click "Internet Options"
Choose the "Security" tab
Click on the "Custom Level" button
In the "Reset custom settings" dropdown box, select "Medium"
Click the "Reset" button
When the "Warning!" window jumps in your face, choose "Yes"
Click "OK" then "OK" again
Pray

Or use another browser such as Firefox or Opera

Netscape

Netscape (owned by AOL, which uses Internet Explorer as their embedded browser - I don't get it, but I obviously don't comprehend big business) started the whole Javascript thing, lost the browser wars to the Microsoft juggernaut and dropped the ball. However, it offers a more pleasant experience than IE. To change settings:

Click "Edit" on the menu bar
Choose "Preferences"
In the left pane of the preferences window, click on "Advanced"
Make sure the "Enable Java" box is checked
Click on the little arrow beside the word "Advanced" to open the tree
Choose "Scripts and Plug-ins"
Make sure the "Enable Javascript for Navigator" box is checked
Make sure the box "Change Images" is checked
Click "OK"
Pray

Or use another browser such as Firefox or Opera

Firefox

Firefox is a pretty nice browser distributed free by the nice folks at Mozilla. I've forgotten exactly what Mozilla is and maybe someday I'll look them up again to make a better note of their history. I think they had something to do with developing Netscape in the old days, before it was acquired by America Online and relegated to poor stepchild status. Maybe. Don't quote me on that. Anyway, I certainly recommend their browser over the "big two" of IE and Netscape. But like IE, their settings window will obscure everything else, so make a note of the instructions before you begin. Here's how to adjust their settings:

Click "Tools" on the menu bar
Choose "Options"
In the left pane of the settings window, click on "Web Features"
Make sure there are checkmarks in all the boxes except "for the originating site only"
Click "OK"
Pray

Or use Opera

Opera

This is my particular favorite, a speedy browser that doesn't eat up all the room on your hard drive. If you take a little time, Opera can be set to behave the way you like and you can hide or turn off anything that annoys you. Development is done by Norwegian fisherman in the winter months so you know it has to be good. Ok, I don't know if these people are fishermen but they are Norwegian. The free version has an advertising banner that displays over the top, it's worth the $39 registration fee to get rid of it (this is an unsolicited endorsement, I think Opera is a superior product). To check the settings:

On the menu bar, click "Tools"
Choose "Preferences" (in older versions this was under "File", don't choose "Quick Preferences")
In the Preferences window, select "Multimedia"
Make sure that "Show Images" is selected in the first dropdown box and that the "Enable Javascript" and "Enable Java" boxes are checked
Click "OK"
Pray

Note for America Online Users

You don't have to use the built in Internet Explorer browser that comes with AOL. Download one of these other browsers, connect to AOL, minimize the AOL window and use the alternative browser as if AOL doesn't exist. You'll have more control and you won't have the America Online toolbar taking up half the space on your desktop. Try it, you'll like it.

Links to the Browsers

these links open in new windows

Internet Explorer (my opinion: poor)

Somewhere on this page is the link to download IE 6, but it's not obvious where it is and to tell the truth I got tired of looking for it. If IE is your choice I'm not going to try to talk you out of it (though you should reconsider).

Netscape (my opinion: pretty good)

At least it's obvious where to click.

Firefox (my opinion: excellent)

The "Free Download" link is at the top right of the page.

Opera (my opinion: the best)

The download button is green and obvious.

There are other browsers out there, including one for Mac but I don't know anything about them nor do I wish to spend my life studying them. Whatever you use, make sure you have Javascript and Java enabled and things should work. If they don't, write me and I'll see what I can find out.

Good luck--

For more thoughts on this subject, see my essay Everything I Know About Web Design I Learned by Beating My Head Against the Wall

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