Web 2.0 Tricks and Tips

Many Web 2.0 sites are still in a beta (not final) and sometimes you may encounter bugs while using these sites. Here are some hints if you hit these kind of road blocks:

• Flash is required to view many web applications. If it is not installed on your computer, click here for a free download. Adobe Reader is required to read many links. If you do not have it, you can get it free here.
• There are many different browsers to get you to the Internet, but not all websites play nicely with all browsers equally. Switching browsers may solve your problem. Most sites seem to work with Mozilla's Firefox.Make sure you've got the updated version of the browser.
• If you are struggling, try closing the browser/program and re-opening it - this often solves the problem.
• Adjust your browser settings. Perhaps enabling pop-up windows, allowing cookies, and changing other settings to see if that works.
• Many sites require plug-ins like Flash to operate. Be sure you have the up-to-date versions installed on your computer. Do a search on the plug-in name to find the download, then follow the directions to install.
• Most sites have a Help or FAQ section. Try using these to solve your problem.
• Try search engines - If you type a description of your problem ("can't change font size in blogger," for example) into a search engine, chances are pretty good that someone else has had the problem and you might find the answer in a forum or group discussion.
• Post a comment to the Lesson post - maybe another 21 Things participant has had the same problem and can lend advice.
• When all else fails, move on to something else and try again later.
• When even that has failed, call your Children's Librarians!

If something you are looking at looks different, has disappeared or has been renamed/designed - the actual functionality is probably still there. You might just have to dig a little deeper - that is life in the Web 2.0 world; everchanging, exciting and hopefully challenging!

Children's Library

(203) 669-5235

crstaff@darienlibrary.org