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The New Update is Here!

I got this from news:webtv.users

Group: webtv.users
Date: Fri, Oct 27, 2000, 5:26pm (EDT-3)
From: wuapr@corp.webtv.net (moderator)

Dear Newsgroup members:
You may be interested in participating in a preview, in which you are invited to obtain WebTV's most recent update.

This update offers more consistent and reliable access to Secure Websites. In earlier versions of WebTV system software, some users were blocked from entering secure websites, resulting in the user being incorrectly directed to the Login Screen after attempting to enter a secure account. The update will provide better performance for users who wish to participate in on-line Banking, make purchases, and perform transactions at Secure Websites.

The update also addresses an issue with JavaScript, in which users had been unable to view a number of web pages. The update offers a solution to users who had experienced error messages or problems directly related to JavaScript errors, which generally occurred during online gaming sessions.

A number of security issues have been addressed as well, with the update. WebTV has always regarded security as a high priority. With this update, a variety of potential security matters have been resolved, resulting in a safer, more secure WebTV product.

In addition to the improvements listed above, we've also made a number of significant changes in other, less evident areas. The update is designed to improve the performance, security and reliability of your WebTV account.

Where to find the update:
From your WebTV Homepage:
1. Go to Help
2. Choose Latest News
3. Choose What is the update and how can I get it?

Retrograde:
If you prefer the functionality of your previous version of WebTV, you can easily go back. Simply download the "retrograde".

Summer update:
The "Summer update" is still available. If you prefer using the standard Summer Edition (without the JavaScript improvements and Security features, you can return by downloading it here.

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Free stuff for PageBuilders

Every PageBuilder needs an ISP, Excedrin Headache Medicine, a clean printer, and a scanning service. Here's where to get them free:

• Free ISP (need computer friend)
• Free HP Cleaning Kit
• Excedrin Headache Medicine
• Freescan
• Free Picture Scanning
• Southern Scans 4 Free

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HOMESPUN

Each month we'd like to spotlight a few of our posters' PageBuilder websites. We think these sites show the diversity and talent in our group.
Slice O' Heaven Vannessa introduces us to her family and shares her inspiring story. Beautifully written.
The Sixth Day Marget is on a crusade to alert us all to the plight of our endangered species. These beautiful pictures are breathtaking.
Omaha Nights Madeline gives us a fascinating glimpse into the life of a Native American family, and the customs and history of the Omaha tribe.

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Banners by Mike

If you would like to make a banner but just haven't had the time to figure out how most banner sites work, try this quick and easy method.

Go to http://angelfire.gifworks.com/ with one of these backgrounds.

http://community.webtv.net/lifton2134/plate/scrapbookFiles/importD36.gif
http://community.webtv.net/lifton2134/plate/scrapbookFiles/importD47.gif

You can also use any gif background of your own that you like.

When at gifworks click

"File"

Choose "open image"

Put the URL of the background in the box at the bottom of the page. If you want to resize it

Click "Edit"

Choose "Resize"

Put in the width you want

Leave "constrain proportions" checked

Click "OK" I like 480x48

Click "Edit"

Click "Insert text"

Pick a font color that will show up on the background.

Pick a font type - I like comic

Pick a font size - try 18 first

Pick a font style - try bold-italic first

Enter a short line of text

Click on your background and move the arrow to where you want the center of the text to be. Click there.

When you get good you will be able to fit 2 or 3 lines of text on a banner.

You will see your banner and text. If you don't like it you can hit your back button and try again. Remember to rechoose a font color - it defaults to white.

If you like it

Click "File"

Click "Save"

Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on "WebTV Users Click Here" Hit your "go to" key and choose "show current". This is the URL of your banner. Press your "cmd" and "A" keys at the same time. Now press your "cmd" and "C" key at the same time. Now go directly to a scrapbook uploader like http://community-2.webtv.net/SecretAdmirer/scrapbookupload/.

You can also make banners with transparent backgrounds.

Click "File"

Choose "New 3D Text"

Pick a font color

Pick a font type - I like Serif - 200 proof

Pick a banner size - I like standard

Under "Animation Effects" pick "Stationary"

Enter your text

Click "Preview"

Scroll to the bottom

If you like your banner click "Accept", if not scroll up and change stuff.

After clicking "Accept"

Click "File"

Choose "Save"

Scroll down and click on "WebTV Users Click Here"

Press your "go to" key and click "show current." This is the URL of your banner. Press your "cmd" and "A" keys at the same time. Now press your "cmd" and "C" keys at the same time. Go to a Scrapbook uploader right away like http://community-2.webtv.net/SecretAdmirer/scrapbookupload/

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Rastafaria's Choice

Rastafaria:
"So you want to make a webpage? You just might want to pay a visit (it's free) to Gest Home. If you can't find what you need from his list of links it just may not exist. It's people like Gifshoppe that make PageBuilding all the more enjoyable for the WebTV community. Thanks GifShoppe."

Here is Rastafaria's Choice:
Gest Home

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Tips for PageBuilders

We have tips from WebTVgirl, and Cat.

Photo advice from WebTVGirl:

Many of you have included wonderful photos for your Page Builder sites. I've noticed some are not captioned and that names of photographers are not credited. I've also seen other faces in the photos that weren't cropped out (i.e. crowds), that possibly should've been.

Even if your dear mother snapped the photo, give her credit; it was her work. Sometimes I get frustrated with poorly captioned photos such as about a trip to London and a photo of a woman posing by Big Ben, and the caption would read: "Big Ben". Who's this woman? Or, worse, a caption would read: "Mom" by Big Ben, but no mention of Big Ben. Isn't that why Mom was posing by Big Ben, because it's a big-deal landmark? Or, maybe a pretty garden in London (?) with no captioning. Suppose I'm planning to visit London and was looking up this site to gain info. and insight on how to get around, or maybe I want to see those photos in real life- how do I find those landmarks exaclty? So forth.

What about transloaded or uploaded photos that were from other sites? Hopefully, you got permission. ALWAYS credit the photographers and label something like: "Reprinted with permission from the John Doe Home Page". This is not only for respect, but also for your protection (usually legally). Anything online is the same as hard copy. Remember, copyright laws apply to the internet as well.

And, about those faces in the crowd? Crop them out or blur them. What if they don't want to be seen on the web, esp. sensitive is children. Get permission from every face in the crowd before placing on your sites. Whenever asking for credits and names, ask if last names are ok. If a last name is not ok and someone has an uncommon first name such as: Pappas Jones? You might want to put in: P. Jones, because Pappas is a name that stands out compare to John, Mary, Lisa, Debbie, Mike, etc. Why not ask if they'd like their e-mail addresses (clickable) and/or websites placed by their names next to the photos? Some people would want a link to their sites to increase traffic. Some people love to experience 15-minute fame via your sites, some don't. Remember, any time people send you pictures to show off, they intended for them to be viewed by you in private. So, if you want some up on the web, ask permission first...

SOOO, hopefully, my suggestion above can make your sites appear more professional. Happy Page Building!

Design Advice from Cat =^..^=

Hello everyone! I made some notes about what, to me, is good web page design that I'd like to share with you: This is not directed towards anyone specifically - just an overview of ALL the webpages that I've seen since I started on WebT.

1. KEEP IT SIMPLE
Webpages crowded with stuff is an eyesore and hard to follow sometimes. Also, the more stuff on a page, the longer it takes to load, and you know how we all hate that. An overcrowded webpage also seems over-eager and will either wear people out or turn them off.

2. COLORS & PATTERNS SHOULD MATCH
Red background with green text? I don't think so.   A good rule of thumb: stay mostly within the same color family & use outside colors (that are complimentary) for accents (sparingly). Experimentation is always suggested but monochromatic pages look more professional. Example:   If your background is green - use lighter green for text, darker green for links or yellow (which matches very well). Or switch it around and use dark green for text, etc. Black and white work well with anything - especially with each other.

3. SOUNDS - If you have a midi file on your page - it's more fun if it matches the content of the page. If your page is about LAS VEGAS - then using a midi file of "Viva Las Vegas" makes sense, not the theme to "Jaws" (unless you are talking about Las Vegas pool "sharks" heh heh...) It unifies your page concept and adds to the ambience. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule, but a unified theme works better, in my opinion.

4. INFORMATION & DOCUMENTATION IS GOOD - Copyright your pages.   If your page is under construction, let ppl know so they'll check back for updates.   Let them know the date your page was created and the date of the last update, and if possible, the date of the next update. A site index is a necessity as far as I'm concerned - let people know what is in your site and what page it can be found on.   Better yet - program a clickable link so they can go there.

Dont force people to wade thru everything in your site, especially if you have mulitple pages! Let them know how to reach you if they have comments - add a clickable link to your email address!   If you "borrow" ideas from someone, give them credit.   If you use their graphics and/or backgrounds - give them credit (usually by providing a link to their site). and last but not least -

5. WHAT IS YOUR PAGE ABOUT? What is the main topic of your page? Is it a personal homepage? Then include personal info about yourself.

  I see so many pages (including my own, which I'm working on improving) that claim to be about one thing or another, but they only briefly touch on that subject before they wind up being about something totally different or nothing specific at all.  Write down some ideas about what you'd like to include in your page. If you don't know much about the subject - do some research. You only have the entire Internet at your disposal.   A friend told me once "educate or entertain but dont do both - it's too confusing". I personally think that's a good rule to follow but you can bend it a bit if you know how.

I, myself, as well as many of you, have much to learn about webpage design.   I say, check out other peoples pages.   What is good about them? Incorporate that aspect into your page. Dont rip people off - learn from them.

A NOTE: If you see something on a webpage and you'd love to do it for yours but dont know how - sign the person's guestbook and/or email them and ask them how they did it. Most people will share information on WebTV. That's how I've learned so much.

I hope this info is useful to you.

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Humor

by BigDTheOriginal

BigDTheOriginal wanted to share thisfunny photo with you:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=185290&a=1353528&p=28430803&Sequence=0&res=high

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OpEd by Vicki

PageBuilder- Trivial Pursuit? Recently, I came across a posting from someone in an alt.discuss newsgroup, who was pretty steamed about something or other. He hurled a few good zingers at the target of his wrath and then delivered the coup de gracé: "If you're so smart, how come you're using the PageBuilder 'Space' background?" I assume that was the ultimate insult because he got no response. Feeling vaguely uncomfortable and a little dumb (I've used the Space background on a few of my pages), I checked out some more of the alt discuss groups that deal with homepage building and discovered that the prevailing opinion, among some, seems to be that your pages can never be quite good enough if you use PageBuilder. Some of us may have lost sight of the most important ingredient in a website: content. We have come to value style over substance; the perception of excellence rather than the fact of it.

  We, who use PageBuilder. are allowing ourselves to become trivialized. The old-timers on WebTV, like Paul, Draac and Beth, did not have the option of using PageBuilder, which is a johnny-come-lately, having been introduced in the Summer of 1999. The pioneers of WebTV had already made sites on other servers. Those of us using PageBuilder are being stigmatized by some as not having viable pages. Their opinions are not based on empirical evidence going to the competency of PageBuilders, but rather the perception that the most important thing is location. location. location, with flash and dash coming in a close second. Actually, I've seen PageBuilder sites that would rival any made with a PC. Check out the sites in our Homespun feature this month. It doesn't get much better than that. As someone who uses PageBuilder, I won't be marginalized. If our PageBuilder pages are trivial to some of our fellow webbers, so be it. That's their opinion but it's not our problem.

- Vicki

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Happy Birthday & Congrats to:

Thanks to Vicki, we now have a Club Birthday Page. Please send your birthday to Vicki.

Happy belated birthday wishes to WebtvGirl on September 6th and her Shit Tzu "Beau" born on September 1st.

Happy belated birthday on September 26th to Vanessa

Happy belated birthday to Lady-Hellrazor who turned 25 on October 8th.

And one more belated but heartfelt birthday wish to Edna who celebrated her special day on October 23rd.

Congrats to our friend Earle on his WebTv Help Toolbox winning the Millenniun Award for web page design and excellence.

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Great Finds

All Kinds of Signs- Look here for all kinds of signs: Welcome, E-mail, Sign Guest Book, New, Updated. A handy specialty gif site for all PageBuilders. Thanks, Ang, for posting it.

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