posted on September 25, 2000 12:01:55 PM
Hi guys, it's been a long time! I'm looking for help with an HTML problem. In the auction below, I've done something that has made ad inoperable for Netscape users. They get nothing on their screen except the top part of the ad (the eBay intro stuff). If you're HTML savvy, perhaps you could take a look and provide some insight.
posted on September 25, 2000 12:13:29 PM
I don't know the answer but have a very dum question of my own, please excuse, I am desparate.
I want to use Outlook Express but have the default browser be Netscape (clicking links in emails opens Netscape, not IE). I managed to be in this situation for months and then had cause to re-download IE and Express and reinstall which automatically made IE default.
I have clicked myself into a stupor and can not find the path to change it back. If anyone knows, or knows where I can ask, please post.
Thank you.
posted on September 25, 2000 12:41:16 PM
Returning to the original problem: I notice that in my HTML, at the beginning of the code, I accidentally dropped the following:
<HTML>
<BODY>
I'm suspecting the first entry -- that having left it out, has messed up Netscape, but for some reason not IE.
**VeryMordern**: Try (for starters) in Ineternet Explorer
Click Tools-->
Internet Options-->
Programs -- At the bottom of this window, check "Internet Explorer should check to see if it is the default browser."
I don't know how to re-instate Netscape as the default.
Thanks all -- hope you can help me. If I can't figure this out by tomorrow, I may have to cancel all the bids and re-list the item. Boo-hoo.
posted on September 25, 2000 01:09:03 PM
I can tell you what the problem is, Islander.
The problem is that both Netscape and Microsoft agreed to abide by the very same standards of HTML 2.0. Then, Microsoft decided that not only would they use the same standards for everything, but they'd also include new, Microsoft Internet Explorer user specific tools that only IE browsers could see. Of course, with such a heavy stake in AOL, it's not surprizing the AOL browsers can see these MS-specific tools as well.
Surprize. surprize, surprize -- Netscape is left out in the cold!
So, what has happened is that your have so coonstructed your HTML that it has MS-specific commands that are not seen by Netscape users.
In your case, the MS-specific HTML commands <blockquote></blockquote> are preventing Netscape users from seeing your page.
The solution is to pull out the above commands and it reads perfectly for everyone.
Hope that helps ya!
Edited for syntax -- of all things
[ edited by Borillar on Sep 25, 2000 01:09 PM ]
posted on September 25, 2000 01:13:17 PM
Couple of problems with the coding. The main one is that you have an open table tag. You need to go in, and put, at the end of your description:
< /tr> < /td > < /table >
Without the spaces though.
You also need to make sure, that when you're doing font attributes, such as size and/or color, that you either put them in " marks or you don't put anything around them. A ' does not work. That is not causing your problem, but it could cause a problem.
The third thing, is that, as someone else mentioned, the < /body > < /HTML > tags that you have. This will stop some older browsers from loading anything past that point. Once again, this is not the current problem, however it can be for some people.
[*url]http://www.htmlvalidator.com[*/url]
(but without the asterisks)
This is AW's UBB, not typical HTML linking, of course. Sorry, don't know where the guide for AW is anymore. Maybe the Community Guidelines or, more likely, the "Help" link near the top right?
posted on September 25, 2000 01:15:20 PM
Borillar, Netscape recognizes blockquotes. It does a smaller space than MSIE does, but it still recognizes them.
posted on September 25, 2000 01:21:18 PM
Thank you - the box was checked, I unchecked it, either way, I still have IE as default. It's driving me nuts.
I am ready to switch mail readers at this point. Who besides Outlook Express allows different identities?
posted on September 25, 2000 01:23:28 PMIslander: I believe you have one more <table> tag than </table> tags. 21 vs. 20
These must be properly matched and nested.
Netscape especially "hates" mismatches. Ironically, this is because Netscape chose to stick closer to standards, while MS is more "forgiving" (sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worst).
posted on September 25, 2000 01:27:24 PMrosiebud: when I pulled those blockquote commands out of that HTML, my netscape saw it just fine. But after reading these other posts here, I realized that I pulled Islander's web page into FrontPage 98, were it corrcted most syntax errors. So I guess you're right. I've never had to use the <blockquote> command set before.
Islander: If you are running Microsoft Windows 98 on your pc, it comes with a free version of FrontPage named FrontPage 2.0. Many Win98 seem not to get this installed initially for some weird reason. You simply take the Win98 cd-disk and drop it into your player and then select Add/Remove Programs when the Win98 screen pops up. Just choose the program to be installed and away you'll go.
posted on September 25, 2000 01:30:21 PM
Agreed, <blockquote>some text</blockquote> is not the problem (I've used them in Netscape for many years). Even if these tags weren't recognized, the "some text" would appear, just not block-quoted (as if the tags weren't even there). The problems with the differences come in elsewhere, with the rest of what Borillar said; but again, the mismatched <table> and </table> tags are the main problem in this specific case.
The worst differences between Microsoft and Netscape browsers are in terms of interpreting Java (MS "enhanced" something it didn't own) and the MS-only use of ActiveX (the latter of which is nothing but a big security black hole as far as I'm concerned).
posted on September 25, 2000 01:52:23 PM
VeryModern
I had something of the same problem with Eudora. You should be in Netscape, and then go into your Control Panel folder for Internet options and make sure Outlook Express is set as your default email program. Netscape should be your default browser too. Even if it says yes, click on it again and save it. This may or may not cause Outlook Express to pop-up with a window when you click on a link, but it should activate one to bring up with just a mouse click.
posted on September 25, 2000 02:01:26 PM
Oh yeah, and one more thing -- Eudora (http://www.eudora.com) is an excellent email program if you're not happy with Outlook Express (which I personally wouldn't touch with a... well, you know the cliche).
posted on September 25, 2000 02:13:44 PM
Make that two cheers for Eudora. Industrial strength email program. Why anyone would use OE instead is beyond me.
posted on September 25, 2000 02:37:05 PM
Thanks for the tips everyone, I wish I could get one of them to do the trick but I am not having any luck.
Regarding Eudora, I have downloaded it several times but deleted, I can never seem to get on top the learning curve. For example, I have 4 email accts, and all are indispensable to me. I have eudora on my computer but can not seem to add more that 1 alternate name. I am thinking this is done by clicking "personalities" but it is not an option - I click and nothing happens. Can someone tell me why? IE is intolerable to me HELP!
posted on September 25, 2000 02:47:23 PM
**Very Modern** Here's a link that should definitely help. Found it while I was looking to download Netscape. Paste this in the icky IE address window and go for it!
http://home.netscape.com/comprod/mirror/
TO ALL OF YOU: Thanks! Thanks! I'm about to go back and read each and every response and get this dern thing fixed. I've copied and reused so many ads over the last year or so, that some of the code fell out.
posted on September 25, 2000 03:01:30 PM
Hi again,
OK, I added the code to end all the table stuff (Thanks Rainy Bear, rosiebud and all others who pointed out the table problem). Perhaps someone with Netscape could try again and LMK how it goes?
Thanks too, quazz, for the link for an HTML validator. I will eventually install Netscape so I can check these things. I already have the full version of Front Page 2000, but I use a much simpler program to do my eBay ads with. In order to check HTML for Netscape with FP2000, I have to get Netscape downloaded and installed. (Where's DSL when I need it!).
Now, I've got to go check the HTML for the other auctions I wrote last week and make sure they're all OK.
Thanks again!
Jamie from Puget Sound
[ edited by Islander on Sep 25, 2000 03:07 PM ]
posted on September 25, 2000 03:05:22 PM
VeryModern if you download a copy and try it again, please let us know the version number and maybe someone and walk you through it.
posted on September 25, 2000 03:12:15 PM
thank you Rosiebud - I am working with it now, and have all my names. Seems all I had to do was RIGHT click in the personalities box and there was the option for "new". From there, I was able to import from Outlook express in 2 seconds. Very nice.
My next dilemma, is how do you add an address to the book off an incoming mail??
posted on September 25, 2000 09:29:14 PM
Thanks RainyBear! (for the compliment and for checking the auction).
A favor to ask. After I doctor all my other auctions, would you be willing to check them for me? I don't know anyone locally who can check for moi. I'm doing them tonight, so they'd be (hopefully) fixed tomorrow a.m.
posted on September 25, 2000 11:07:51 PM
WOW! Quazz & dc9a320 -- that Validator program is ever, ever so cool! I love it when a click on the big red "H" produces nothing but those cute little green comment-folders. Thanks so much for the tip.
Just finished the fix-it project. If RainyBear has time to check my auctions, here's the link:
