User Help

When using this website, you will notice that the page layout consists of several windows (frames) which cascade from top to bottom. This design allows for faster browsing and more condensed screen views, but it can be difficult or confusing to use at first. These instructions should help the user to understand how frames pages work in general and provide some specific tips for the best utilization of this website.

One helpful tool is to use Full Screen View (F11) to provide more screen area, especially on laptops or small monitors.

The top frame is the menu and top banner and is static; the middle frame (this frame) contains general information and links based on the top menu category and is scrollable; the lower frame (which starts with moving band images) displays detailed content stemming from the links on the middle frame and is scrollable and resizeable (see below); and the bottom frame contains the bottom banner and copyright and is static.

If your browser does not support frames, a 'no-frames' version of the home page will display, providing access to all the information available on this website in a standard format. You can access this page at: www.e-prog.net/noframes.htm. (Note: If you are currently within a frame, and just want to try this, close the framed page after opening the no-frame page; otherwise, links will still go to the framed page).

When using frames, the 'back' function on your browser may not allow you to back-up within a particular window. In order to navigate within a specific window, you may need to place your pointer in the desired frame, click the right mouse button and select 'back' or 'back in window'. There are many other options in this context-sensitive menu which may come in handy for other tasks. Different operating systems and browser types may have different ways to accomplish the back function. The same rationale applies for the 'refresh' function... you may need to click in the selected window (ground) before refreshing the screen content.

Javascript is used for the scrolling images and a few other website components.  If you are having problems with any of these items, please visit www.java.com or www.java.com/en/download/windows_automatic.jsp for a free automatic installation/upgrade.  You must also enable javascript in your browser, if it is not already set this way by default.  For Internet Explorer, this is in Tools/Internet Options/Advanced; and also Tools/Internet Options/Security/Internet; look for items giving permission for  javascript applets and/or active scripting.

Tips:

  • Display - if text seems hard to read or the large headers look choppy, try resetting the font used by your web browser. This is usually under a 'Tools' or 'Edit', 'General Preferences', 'Font' menu item. You may also want to use a finer screen resolution to view more content in the same screen area. Try right-clicking on the Desktop and select Properties/ Display/ Settings/ Screen Resolution.

  • Navigation - scroll bars on the left and bottom margins will appear or disappear when your browser window changes. The 'page up', 'page down', 'home' and 'end' functions also work but be sure you have your mouse 'grounded' in the window in which you want to navigate.

  • Full Window - to view content from a frame in a full window, right-click over the link and select 'Open in New Window' or use <Shift><Left Click>. The window size depends on how your browser is set up and from there you can maximize, resize or reposition the new window.

  • Resize Frame - the lower frame is also resizeable (vertically). If you want to expand or contract the lower frame, move your mouse pointer over the border between the middle and lower windows and click-drag the frame to the desired position.

  • Printing - when trying to print the content of a frame (ex: lower window), remember to ground your mouse in the desired window before selecting the print function. There may also be an option under the File menu (ex: File/ Print/ Options/ 'Only the Selected Frame') which gives more control over the printing area.

  • Bookmarks - some documents have internal text links or 'bookmarks', which automatically scroll you down the document. If you try to use one of these links before the document finishes loading, you will be positioned to the top of the document, making it appear that the link does not work. Please wait for the document to finish loading and try the link again.