General

Four 'Tips'

a) Internet Explorer Users (I don't know if it works in Opera - didn't work in Netscape 6 or earlier)

Use the F11 key (This is harmless and instantly reversible - you don't need to be afraid to try it)

If you are using Internet Explorer, press the F11 key whilst viewing a web site. This will turn off all toolbars except one 'toolbar' bar at the top, and will also temporarily 'hide' the Windows Taskbar. The net result is that the page you are looking at will fill the whole screen, apart from the top toolbar.

To hide the one bar at the TOP click on it with the mouse RIGHT HAND key, and select AUTO-HIDE. (You can make it appear again by repeating the above), or you can move the mouse to the TOP of the screen - the bar will 'drop down'.

When you want to see the menu bars again, press F11. This will restore the screen as it was when you started the session.

b) HIDING or MOVING the Windows TASKBAR - (Harmless and easily reversible)

If you don't want to use the F11 key, or are using a browser where it doesn't work, you can get 5 to 10 percent more screen space if you 'Hide' the 'TaskBar' that normally appears at the bottom of the desktop - to do this - 'Right click' on the taskbar, or choose 'Start', 'Settings', 'Taskbar ...', and check (click on) 'Auto Hide'.

The task bar will dissappear - but don't worry - simply move the mouse to the bottom of the screen and it will appear again.

If you don't like this just 'Right click' on the taskbar, or choose 'Start', 'Settings', 'Taskbar ...', and UNcheck 'Auto Hide'.

N.B. You can 'drag' the taskbar to the TOP or either SIDE of the screen if you wish, too.

c) Use the highest resolution that you can set your PC to use, consistent with your eyesight.

(This is a little more complex than a) or b) )

If you are unsure how to alter the resolution (described in detail below), try to get a more 'computer-literate' friend to do it for you or to show you how to do it.

The size of the pages and pictures on this Site are a compromise. We have tried to make the Site easy to use and easy to view on older, smaller screens, but we also have to realize that most PC's now being sold come with 15 inch, 17 inch or even larger screens.

I have tried to set the pages so that, in general, they are a 'good fit' (widthwise) on a screen set to 800 by 600 pixels, which most people will probably be using.

However it has not been possible to make all pages 'small' - this means that users will have to 'scroll' down on longer pages, (and maybe even 'scroll' across in a few cases).

d) Email Problems

Many sites, including this one, no longer show the email address of acontact. Instead they show something like 'email the secretary'. This is necessary to 'hide' the email address in order to try to reduce 'junk' email.

If you try to use such a link, and it doesn't work properly go to 'Start', 'Settings', 'Control Panel', 'Internet Options' and click on the 'Programs' tab.

Check the setting against the 'E-Mail' drop-down and make sure it is correctly set. If you are not sure which setting to use, experiment until it works OK.

More Detailed Explanations

A) Maximising the Available Screen Area

a) Fill the Display!! (Only applies to Cathode Ray type Monitors)

Make sure that the image on your screen fills the screen right to the edges. This is usually a question of pressing 'menu' buttons on the front of the monitor - consult the manual.

Half an inch wasted around the edge of the image can prevent you from using a resolution 'one up' from the one you have been using, because text is just that little bit too small. Regain the wasted edges and you will either find your current resolution more comfortable, or even find that you can now use the next higher resolution setting.

b) EASY OPTION - Using the F11 key - explained above

c) SLIGHTLY MORE COMPLEX (and less flexible, but necessary with Netscape Navigator)

When you are 'Browsing' the Site - go to the 'View' menu, (with Netscape Navigator use the 'Show' menu) and TURN OFF any Toolbars, Status Bar and Explorer bars that are checked (ticked) - this will maximise the area available to you for viewing.

N.B. You will need to TURN these Toolbars ON again before using the browser on the Internet.

B) Setting up your PC's Resolution

The picture of your computers' display is made up of 'dots' called PIXELS. The word 'Resolution' is used to describe the various settings that are available. The LOWEST resolution available on MOST PC's is 640 pixels horizontally, and 480 pixels vertically, and this resolution is becoming obsolete. Other values commonly used are 800 x 600, 1024 x 768 and 1280 x 1024 pixels.

As you increase the resolution, individual items on your screen will display SMALLER, and at some stage text will become too small for comfortable viewing. Using a LARGER display screen will increase the size of everything. So the highest resolution you can use will depend largely on the size and quality of the tube in your display, and also on your eyesight. A higher resolution and a large screen allows you to see more information on screen at any one time without having to 'scroll'.

Set your PC's monitor to use the highest resolution you can, consistent with comfortable viewing.

For best viewing of this Site, you should try to use a resolution of AT LEAST 800 by 600 pixels. If you set to this resolution, the F11 key (described above) will result in many pages of this Site just filling the screen widthwise with no 'scroll' bars.

If you have a large screen eg 15 inches or more try 1024 by 768 pixels or even 1280 x 1024 pixels - you will see a lot more information at once.

If you use a resolution of only 640 x 480, you will have to use the 'scroll' bars extensively to see everything.

Try to use a 'colour depth' of 16, 24 or 32 bit. These are often called 'High Color' or 'True Color'. If you only use 16 or 256 colours, pictures will not look very good.

To change the Screen Resolution and Colour Depth,

Right Click the mouse on a CLEAR area of the desktop. Choose 'Properties' at the bottom of the list that will appear. A Display Properties 'Dialogue Box' will appear.

Choose the 'Settings' tab. In the 'Screen area' box, at the bottom, below the 'Less ... More' slider bar, will appear the current settings. To change the resolution, move the slider bar between LESS towards MORE. Then click OK. Windows allows you 15 seconds to confirm the change.

Only increase the resolution one 'step' and try the result. Repeat until you are happy with the result.

N.B. If you change the resolution, then it is very likely that (on Cathode Ray Monitors), you may have to adjust the WIDTH, HEIGHT and POSITION of the screen display - but you will only need to do this ONCE - modern monitors remember the settings for each resolution and will use these settings when you change resolution.

You can adjust the number of colours too, using this same dialogue box - use the 'Colors' option at the lower left. The lower the number set here, the less likely it is that pictures will display well. Try to use at least High Color (16 Bit), or more. If you use 256 or just 16 colours, any photos or other images will not look very good.

N.B. You MAY need to reduce the number of colours to be able to use higher values of resolution, The settings you can use will depend on the performance of your PC. Most modern PC's will have no trouble setting to high resolution and colour depth.

(Some versions of Windows allow you to place an 'Icon' in the tray area that will allow instant changes of resolution and colour depth. Consult your documentation or get a book on your version of Windows, ask a knowledgeable friend - or search the web!)

Try various resolutions until you find the one that suits you best.

• N.B. Sometimes it may be necessary to restart the PC after changing colour depth or resolution.