Some students are unfamiliar with the Internet. They often have questions regarding visiting websites or technical difficulties they may encounter. For your convenience, I have compiled a list of some of the most commonly asked questions.  

The Top 10

1. Why do the pages take so long to appear?

Answer: This depends on several things. The main one is the complexity of the website. In other words, the more graphics, animation, and other files contained on the site, the longer it will take the pages to appear. Think of a web browser as another student in your class who is reading your essay. You know what is written on the paper, and everything is in order, but the student needs time to read through it. Web browsers are just like that. They need time to read and understand where every piece of information belongs. Another possibility is the capability of the browser itself.

2. The page appears, but pictures have a blank box with a red x in the upper left hand corner. What does that mean?

Answer: The red x means the browser did not load the graphic in the time allotted, or it is missing. Try clicking the Back button of your browser (taking you to the previous page), and then clicking the Forward button. All of the graphics and the background should appear normally because they have been given a second chance to load. You could also try the Refresh button. Do yourself a favor. Use Internet Explorer or Netscaper Communicator (also called Netscape Navigator) when exploring the Internet because they will load pages faster and make your web browsing experience more enjoyable.

3. Your website states it has music, but I don't hear anything. What is wrong?

Answer: Turn up the volume, dummy! No, I'm only kidding. Chances are your computer does not have the software to play music in the designated format. For your convenience, I have placed a link on each page to enable you to go to the Windows Media Player site and download the necessary files. If you already have Windows Media Player, then the other possibility is the browser did not load the MIDI or MP3 file.

4. When I click on one of the blue links, my computer tells me the page cannot be displayed. What happened?

Answer: First, I would go through the steps as explained in my answer to Question #2 because there is a possibility the browser did not load the page correctly. Most of the time, however, the message means there is a problem with that particular website. It could be down, or the server is busy. Of course, another possibility is the website no longer exists. Please tell me when this happens because dead links are of no use to any of us.

5. I get an error message saying the website cannot be found. Is that similar to the previous question about pages that cannot be displayed?

Answer: Yes and no. Sometimes this message will appear when a website is experiencing problems, but it could also be you typed the web address incorrectly (assuming you are not just clicking on a link). Check your spelling and every character in the address. Web addresses are VERY precise.

6. My computer freezes when visiting a page. I cannot move, or the pointer does not activate anything. What is that all about?

Answer: Welcome to the occasionally frustrating world of web browsing. There are so many possible reasons for this that I cannot list them all here. The bottom line is you will have to exit your browser, and return to the desktop. To do this, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete on your keyboard. Click "End Task," and your computer will release itself from the browser.

7. After visiting a website, I will click the Back button, but I cannot exit. The same page keeps reappearing. Why?

Answer: This is a little game some websites play called "Gotcha!" It is their way of holding you prisoner. Before you call the police, however, try several clicks of the Back button. If that does not work, then the only way out of this scenario is to close your browser and open it again.

8. When I visit some pages - Daily Class Activities, for example - the information is old. Are you not doing your job, Mr. K?

Answer: Well, I have been kind of busy lately... Actually this is a very common occurrence. Simply click the Refresh button, and you will see I am still hard at work. On the other hand, do not go on your computer at 6:00 P.M. and expect to see updated pages. Teachers have lives, too!

9. I will be on the Internet, and my computer will suddenly disconnect. Why does it happen?

Answer: Ask your parents if they paid their Internet service provider bill! If they did, then you are one of millions of Internet visitors who experience this annoying occurrence. Sometimes it happens because the ISP (Internet Service Provider) cannot handle the volume of users, so it randomly knocks people off. Pretty rude, huh?

10. My computer is so outdated! It is slow and does not have the programs I need. I talked to my father about getting a new one, but he said, "No way!" What should I do?

Answer: Go ask your mother.

© Copyright 2008 A.J. Kimmel