We are currently recommending Microsoft Internet Explorer version 4.0 or higher for viewing this web site. The reason is that there are some key elements of the HTML 4.0 specification that are not fully supported by the current version of Netscape Communicator. See below for more information.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x/5.x (MSIE) is free. The latest version can be ordered on CD for a nominal fee or downloaded from Microsoft by clicking on the following button...

Also available on the MSN promotional CD. Microsoft has been including MSIE on the MSN promotional CD they send out. The latest promotional CD (April, 1998 or later) contains MSIE version 4.01. Install MSIE from that CD by going to the ...\Ie401 directory and running the Ie4setup.exe

Technical Support. Microsoft does not offer technical support on Internet Explorer. However, they have an extensive web site devoted to their browser which will help with most questions you are likely to have. To visit the Microsoft Internet Explorer Web Site click here.

Addition support can be obtained by going to the Microsoft Newsgroups for Internet Explorer and posting questions. These newsgroups are very active and most questions get answered. To get to the newsgroups just click here and follow the links to the Internet Explorer Newsgroups. There are several links to get to the list of MSIE-specific newsgroups and there are several newsgroups to choose from, depending on your question.

On your first visit to the Newsgroups area you will be asked to register. This doesn't cost anything but it does let you go directly to the newsgroup page on subsequent visits, Microsoft gives you a cookie.

Other Web Browsers

Since this site follows the HTML 4.0 specification, any web browser that implements that specification, including the Cascading Style Sheet specification, should display this site correctly. However, we have not tested any others. If you know of a browser we should include in our list of recommended browsers please send the information to Mark E Alsop (malsop@elite.net).

HTML 4.0 is a new standard

This site was designed to conform to the HTML 4.0 Specification of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). This specification is created by W3C and is not the product of any company creating Internet browser software. The purpose of the W3C HTML specifications is to set a standard to which all web site designers can adhere with the expectation that their web sites will then appear as they designed them regardless of the browser used to view the site pages.

This version of the HTML specification was finalized as of December 18, 1997 after a long period in which draft proposals of this specification had been extensively tested.

HTML 4.0 includes a specification for cascading style sheets (CSS). Like HTML, CSS is an evolving specification which is set by the W3C.

The CSS elements used in this web site conform to the current specification. Both Microsoft and Netscape 4.x browsers provide varying degrees of support for this specification in the 4.x versions of their browsers. However, only the Microsoft Internet Explorer provides good support for the full specification.

Why does this matter?

The only way to create certain visual effects, such as the v-grove horizontal rules (visible only in Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x/5.x at this time) is via certain HTML 4.0 properties combined with CSS. Other effects, which are best implemented via HTML 4.0 elements, can also be created in other ways. The problem is that these 'other ways' are not as efficient and cause the HTML pages to be larger than necessary which also causes them to take longer to download.

This site uses HTML 4.0 properties where they are the only way to manage visual elements. Since only Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x currently handles these we are recommending that you browse this site with the Microsoft browser.

However, in an effort to make the site viewable and pleasant to those of you who cannot use Microsoft Internet Explorer, older methods of specifying fonts, positioning text blocks and pictures have been used, even though they are somewhat less efficient and more difficult to apply.

Cookies

Cookies are very small files that are saved on your computer by some web sites. These cookies allow a web site to know when you are a new visitor or a repeat visitor. Cookies do not compromise the security of your computer or make it possible for the web site to view the data you keep on your computer. The only information contained in a cookie is the information the web site puts in it. For more information click here.