ESI Generation Home arrow FAQ arrow Viewing our websites arrow 1. What are some tips for viewing a web page that my browser has difficulty displaying?
1. What are some tips for viewing a web page that my browser has difficulty displaying? Print E-mail

Because the web is built on a patchwork of standards and proprietary technologies, occasionally you will encounter a web site that doesn't display correctly in your browser. Often, you can find ways of getting around the problem. However, if the site or the server it resides on is no longer available, or if its maintainer made serious coding errors, you may not be able to do anything to access it. See the suggestions below for details:

  • Update your browser: If you have an older program, see if an updated version is available. Because the web evolves rapidly, older programs sometimes get left behind. This is particularly true for sites that require a secure connection. In some cases, however, you may actually have better luck with an older program. If you do have a recent version, try using an older one.

  • Try a different browser: Frequently, site maintainers will design their sites with a specific browser in mind. In the process of optimizing it for that browser, they make it less available to others. Try using a different browser to access the site. For example, if you are using Internet Explorer, try Netscape, Mozilla, Opera, or even Lynx. In extreme cases (if the site works only for one operating system, for example), you may even have to use a different computer.

  • Enable or disable scripting and embedded programs: Many sites make use of scripting languages (e.g., JavaScript, VBScript), Java applets, or ActiveX controls to enhance their content. If you turn these features off in your browser, you may not be able to correctly view the pages. Other times, if a site's enhancements are incompatible with your browser, cause it to slow down, or make it crash, you may want to disable these features. For instructions, see In Mozilla or Netscape, how do I turn Java and JavaScript off or on ? or In Internet Explorer, how do I turn Java or JavaScript off or on ?


 
Next >