Semi-helpful hints

About off-site links

I've tried to make sure links to all off-site pages open in a new window. That way if you find yourself deep into another site and want to come back here, you don't have to back out, just close the site. There, that was helpful wasn't it?

Here's another marginally helpful hint.

If you're one of the less than about 1% of people online who don't have Java installed on your machine, then a lot of the "clever stuff" on here won't work—like the menu.

I can tell you where to get it. Don't be scared, almost everybody has it and it doesn't hurt. Get it here

What kind of traffic is coming to site?

Click a link to find out

site stats are here

And guess what—you're being counted and logged and watched right now. Ain't that spooky?

Well, it's nothin' personal, just your computer information and other impersonal stuff that helps us get a sense of what's going on so we can maybe make the site more effective.

What? You've never heard of such a thing? LOL! Get over it, every place you visit on the web does it, they just don't tell you.

At least we're not doing anything immoral or illegal or are going to SPAM you or anything like that.

Aw, I'm sorry, forget I said anything and just go on about your business.

Of course the best feedback we can get is directly from you so
we made it easy.

Let's talk about browsers—that's always exciting.

Browser

—that's the program you're using to get on the internet.

I've discovered that this site (and most other newer ones) look better with the latest version of Internet Explorer, that is version 7. It just seems to handle the new webpage stuff better than IE6. Used to be, IE did things it's own way, and to maybe a lesser extent still does, and the rest of industry was expected to fall in line. They appear to be doing a little better now.

I looked at this site with my wife's computer and noticed the menu bar at the top looked kinda' bad. I was frustrated! What did I do wrong? Turns out, nothin'. Well, sorta'. I hadn't gotten round to installing IE7 on her machine. Now I have done my duty and the site looks fine—if I do say so myself—on her machine too.

I've been using IE7 for some time now and can't think of a good reason not to, in spite of all the fussin' and fumin' you hear every time Gates and company does something new. If you don't have it, go ahead and get it.

Alternatives

Another browser you might also want to try one called Mozilla FireFox. With a name like that you just have to think it's worth trying. I have it loaded and like it a lot. Of course MS stole a lot of their thunder with the new version of IE. Between you and me, I think the boys and girls over at Microsoft were secretly using FF at home and decided they needed to get a piece of the action.

Some folks declare it is better than IE7 and more secure. Might be. I have no way of knowing and the battle rages on. Anyway, if you're feeling a little anti-establishment, adventuresome or just curious, give it a whirl. You might like it. Oh, almost forgot — Get Firefox here.

Menu or other "active" items not working?

THIS INFORMATION IS FOR USE ON YOUR PERSONAL COMPUTER. DO NOT MAKE THESE CHANGES TO A COMPUTER THAT DOES NOT BELONG TO YOU. (Besides which, you probably shouldn't be here during working hours anyhow.)

This site, and a majority of others now, rely extensively on something called Java. That's software that enables much of the "activity" on the Internet, not the hot black liquid that keeps us going so we can build the sites. For more about what it is, check the Java site.

Anyhow, if things like the menu bar and other stuff aren't working, it's either because I messed something up, you have an older version or have it turned off.

How do I turn it on or off?
Do I have the latest version?

We also use some flash so if you don't have it installed or working properly you will miss some of the site. It is perfectly safe and used on countless thousands of sites.

Check to see if it is properly installed.
Get the latest version installed here. (UNcheck the Google Toolbar option, unless you want it.

CYA at church!

Don't be staying home and listening to this stuff on Sunday morning.