Hello Jonathan,

Everything looks quite attractive! Good work!

You'd asked for any input on bugs/gliches. I have one, but don't know if it's on your end or mine.

I had tried to post a reply to a message a minute ago, using Netscape 7.02. I also have a pop-up blocker (pop-up Stopper v. 3.0.x), which could have something to do with it -- but anyway, when I punched the "reply" button, all I got was a large empty white window.

I had to go into an old version (Netscape 4.78) to post the message, as well as this one....

R

Ralph,

Thanks for the feedback.

I'd have to agree with you -- it definitely sounds like a pop-up blocker issue.

I'm posting this message using Netscape 7.1, and as you can see, it worked just fine. You can try upgrading your 7.02 to 7.1, but I doubt that's going to fix the problem. If 4.7 can do it and 7.1 can do it, then in all likelihood, so can 7.0.

My suggestion to you (and to anyone using a pop-up blocker, for that matter), is to run the pop-up blocking software utility and see if you can edit your settings. Many blockers allow you to specify which websites to block and which to allow. Include Ballroomdancers.com in your "websites to allow" list. Don't worry... we will never use pop-up ads. The only thing we use pop-ups for is the stuff you actually want to see, such as the video player window and the message posting window.

That's the best solution I can think of for you. As for me, I'm going to create a "preferences" page in the users section (which will be available to non-users, too). This will allow people to change the settings on this website to accommodate their computers. For example, one preference will be "disable pop-ups", which will cause the video clips and the message posting pages to appear in the main window, rather than a pop-up.

But since I haven't gotten around to it quite yet, in the meantime I suggest either disabling your pop-up blocker, or exempting Ballroomdancers.com in your prefereneces.

Regards,
Jonathan Atkinson
www.ballroomdancers.com

Thanks for the info. I still can't post with the Netscape 7.02, even with pop-up software disabled.
I hadn't known some pop-up software had a preference setting that allows some sites to send pop-ups through. Mine apparently lacks this feature. Can you suggest some that do?

R

Try upgrading to the latest Netscape and see if that does anything. There's a very remote possibility that there's some bug in that specific version or release. It's a long shot, but if it turns out to be true, it would be good information to have.

If you upgrade to the latest version and still have trouble, then at least we know it's not the browser, since I have the same one and can use it without issue.

One pop-up blocker that you can try is Stopzilla. I haven't tried it myself, but domain-specific whitelisting and blacklisting is an advertised feature. The url is http://www.stopzilla.com/site/download_select.asp.

Regards,
Jonathan

Any good pop-up blocker program should have a way to bypass the automatic blocking and allow you to let pop-ups through when you want to. Usually it's something like pressing shift or control when you click a link. I use Stop The Pop Up Lite, the free version of the non-lite program (apparently it just lacks blocking for IM related pops). You may have to web search for it. I'm not sure the main page (which I don't recall off hand) has an obvious link to the lite version. This program allows you to let pop-ups through by pressing shift or control. I bet other programs do, too. If you do a little web searching you should be able to find a pop-up blocker you like that has the bypass feature in it. I'm actually surprised that ones are made without a manual override.

Yeah, I know about commands to allow the pop-up to go through. Problem is, I've used it, the pop-up pops, but instead of being a java window, all it is is a full-sized, utterly blank/empty white window.

BTW, what I'm using is the free version of Pop-Up Stopper Professional. Anybody who uses it having soimilar problems?

R

Another thing you might try is temporarily uninstalling the pop-up blocker altogether (assuming you still have the original install CD to reinstall it again later). By doing this, you can verify that the problem is indeed the pop-up software and not Netscape itself, or somethig else altogether. Make sure you're barking up the right tree before spending any more time and energy on it.

If you find out that it is the software, I'll see if I can inquire with tech support on the matter. I may also give the software a try myself.

Regards,
Jonathan

Am I the only one with the problem of user login/password not sticking? I usually check these boards each weekday morning and I've had to relog every day. There's no "remember me" type option here? My login/pass used to stick on the old boards and I haven't changed any browser settings lately, so I'm assuming it has something to do with the new system. Is there some way I can make the board remember me from session to session? It's kind of annoying to have to relog every day, especially when I didn't have to before. Thanks in advance.

That's a feature I will be adding with the "preferences" page. Give me a few weeks to get it together. As a single feature, I could add it pretty quickly, but because it's part of a bigger project, it's going to take a little more time.

The big project I'm currently working on is overhauling the user control panel to go with the message board. The new version will be divided into 5 pages: My Start Page (User Info), My Messages, My Classifieds, My Directory Listings, and Preferences. The last one, preferences, is the one that will allow you to choose whether or not you stay logged in permanently.

Regards,
Jonathan

Ah, OK. Thanks for the info. I'll look for it in the future then. :)