Forum software not Netscape compatable

[Rambling]

I did some testing last night with Netscape V4. 74, V4. 77, V6. 0, Neoplanet Shell V4. 72(basically IE) and Internet Explorer V5. 0.

Bottom line - This forum software is not Netscape compatable.



This explains why some of the Avatars show as an ERROR ICON for some of us and the avatars are there for others. I believe (didn't test)NS doesn't handle the BMP avatars correctly, showing an ERROR ICON instead. NS does seem to work OK with JPG avatar files.



No version of NS would allow me access to the Chat room.





Below is a quick look at what I found when I viewed the Main Forum posts on the Main Forum(page 3):



IE Post X Red X (indicates an error)

Post Y Avatar showing

Chat YES



NeoPlanet Post X Red X (indicates an error)

Post Y Avatar

Chat YES



NS 6. 0 Post X Nothing (no error, no avatar)

Post Y Nothing (no error, no avatar)

Chat NO



NS 4. 77 Post X Error Icon

Post Y Error Icon

Chat NO



NS 4. 74 Post X Error Icon

Post Y Error Icon

Chat NO

 

[mdlowry]

Netscape 4.7

I'm using both Netscape 4. 7 and Opera for the Mac. Both seem to work fine for me. I haven't seen any "broken link" images here.



I haven't been able to use the chat yet though. I've tried from both browsers.



Michael

 

[danandamy]

I was afraid that might be the reason I haven't been able to get the chat room to work. Bummer. I don't think I'm 'puter literate enough to play musical browsers.

 

[Rambling]

Oops! MS not MAC

Michael,



I should have clarified that I was using an Intel/Windows machine.



Mac Netscape code isn't the same and is likely the reason it works for you.



I know it's been frustrating for many on here. It sometimes helps to know the problem isn't the operator.

 

[Lurch]

I had the same problem on the Mac. Netscape won't work for chat, Mozilla worked but window size was unbearable. IE is the only workable solution I found.



Lurch

 

[Crash_AF]

Originally posted by EKarr

I had the same problem on the Mac. Netscape won't work for chat, Mozilla worked but window size was unbearable. IE is the only workable solution I found.



Lurch

Hey Lurch,

Do you have a refresh problem with your Mac IE browser in the chatroom? My Mac won't refresh the page when someone posts a line in the chat. I have to scroll down to the bottom of the screen and back up to get the new messages.



Doesn't happen on my ol' Windows box.



Later,

Joe

 

[admin2]

Netscape.....

Here's what I've found... .



Netscape works great with the boards. The BMP avatar isn't Netscape's fault, its the users who choose a BMP as an avatar. HTML document standards use JPG, GIF and PNG files for images. Anyone who chooses BMP is asking for their images not to work cross platform. BMP is a Windows only Microsoft format.



As to chat, I have found a way to make it work in Netscape. It worked fine in my tests however it doesn't want to work inside of a table (which is how the new site tries to use it). I will get a page setup in the next couple of days for Netscape users.



We did test the site with both browsers, sometimes things slip through. Don't worry, we are not going to take the stance that you need to change to IE... . I hate sites that force a certain brand browser on you. Netscape problems will get handled this week, including disallowing BMP file types for images.



Ken

TDR Admin

 

[Rambling]

!

Ken,



After reading my initial post again, I'm sorry that it appears I'm hammering your effort into changing over to a more comprehensive forum software for our benefit. That was definitely not my intention. The bold on the "Bottom line" makes the wrong impression.



As I understand it, it would be best if members upload their avatars in one of the three html formats(gif, jpg, or png)and not the BMP format so they can be seen with any browser.



Please let me know if there are any setup parameters or such that may help your research.



Personnally, I find it really incredible the few problems that have occurred as a result of the change over and the level of effort put in to fix the ones that have come up.

 

[admin2]

None taken!

Rattlin,



I didn't take your post to be in any way negative. Lack of Netscape compatibility is a legit concern... . especially since AOL now owns Netscape and their contract to use IE as the AOL browser is now up for renewal!



All Netscape problems should be resolved this week.



Ken

TDR Admin

 

[Joe G.]

Good news, Ken. I was afraid that I would have to use IE for some things on these forums! WHEW!

 

[danandamy]

Good deal Ken!

Great to hear that you're working on the Netscape thing. As far as everything else with the new site, I really like it. The email notification on certain threads is great, I can keep up with what's happening on the board, even on nights when I don't have time to surf the whole thing.

 

[Lurch]

Yes Crash, I do have the refresh problem in IE. I have noticed that it will refresh if left in the background, go figure.

 

[fest3er]

Re: None taken!

Originally posted by admin

Rattlin,



... Lack of Netscape compatibility is a legit concern... .



All Netscape problems should be resolved this week.

Cool!

Maybe I'll give it a go. I'm running NS 4. 77 on Linux on 56K dialup. *Lots* of things don't work in general with NS/Linux. But, as regards TDR, I don't recall any problems with the forums (fora?) or personal areas.



And now that I've bumped the MTU to 1500, I'm getting much better throughput. Doh! Only took six months for the right neuron to fire and make me try it!



Fest3er