HeLp!!!

Take Me Back!

 



So, let me guess. You're having trouble finding your way around? You're confused about some of the technology I use on this site? You want clarification on something? Or are you just curious as to seeing what this new addition to my page is about? Well, you will find the answers to those questions and hopefully others as you browse my new "HeLp!" page! And remember, not everything is solely for my page. Much of this information may be able to be used elsewhere as well. If you have a question that needs answering here, ask me and I'll try and find the answer to post up here! And if you notice anything that needs updating or changing, let me know as well!

Table of Contents

What software do you suggest to use?

For this site, as well as countless others, the best browser to use would have to be at least NetScape Navigator 3.0. I still, however, have nearly full support for normal browsers without all the bells and whistles of Navigator 3.0, but to view this page the way I and others do, NetScape Navigator is your best bet. I am currently running Netscape Communicator, and am very happy with it's effectiveness. Navigators 3.0 and higher are capable of viewing frames, supporting Java, and supporting plugins. As far as plugins go, the only current plugin that my page supports is Crescendo, which is made by LiveUpdate. Several versions of Crescendo are available, and it is up to you as to which version you want, should you choose to download it, because any version should work perfectly on my page.
|Back|

 

Where do I get the suggested software?

NetScape can be found for download at http://home.netscape.com/comprod/mirror/index.html, while Crescendo is found at http://www.liveupdate.com/get.html.
|Back|

 

What settings provide best results in viewing and how do I set those?

It is suggested that you use a resolution of 1024x768 pixels while viewing this page. Other pages also tend to seem less cluttered and awkward at this resolution. Be aware that this dips your colors down to 256 in most cases. For Win95 users, simply enter your Control Panel, and from there go into Display. Select the settings tab and drag the "Screen Size" bar as far to the right as it will go, and click OK. This may neccessitate you having to restart Windows (as many system changes do), however, so be forewarned. I currently do not use Win3.1, WinNT, or a Mac, so I do not have detailed instructions on changing these setting for those operating systems. If anyone has detailed information on this, please send it, so that I may post it here.
|Back|

 

What exactly do all the links refer to?

Well, for the most part these links should be self explanatory, but here's a more detailed description of each. The "Home" link (seen by frames users only) always returns you to the frame index page. The "Hopes For This Page" link describes what I would like to see happen for this page in the near future. The "Links, Links, Links" link is like it says...links! This is an ever-growing collection of my favorite URLS (no homepage seems to be complete without one of these lists!). The "A Little About Myself" (actually, it's grown, there's quite a lot about myself there now...) is my personal bio with some stats, a pic, and some of my favorite things. The "News" link is arguable one of my most important of links. Always check this link for any late breaking news that may have occurred instead of being surprised by it (frames users do not have this link as it is always in it's own frame). The "Music" link is where I will have any kind of musical references, be it new songs I write or new achievements that I attain in the music field. The "Prayer Requests" link is a unique link that I have. In it, I post prayer request of those who are in need and want to have their request known by all who visit here. In the "Funny Stories" link you will find various true stories that people have submitted to me. Ah, "The Voting Booth"! Here, you get to cast your vote for various topics and view the results I have compiled! The "Birthdays" link....yet another fairly unique place around here. This is a list of people's e-mails and their birthdays, so that people can send happy-birthday e-mails or whatnot. "The Adventure Of The Bear" is one site you don't want to miss out on. This critically acclaimed (yeah, right!) story of my trip to All-State is sure to give you a laugh. In my "Awards" link, you get to check out all the awards that my page has won. Hmmm...."My Chat Room" is a fairly cool place. Known as TeenScene on the Gamelan Earthweb chat, you can come here to chat with other people. The "Weekly Conference" allows you to check out my new PowWow conference idea. Be sure to look into this and spread the word about the conference. If enough people get involved, the conference could turn out to be very interesting! And finally, the Help page. Well, honestly, do you REALLY need an explanation? :-)
|Back|

 

How do I get back to the first page?

Depending on the format of page you are using, there should always be a way back to the original page. For frames users, simply click on the |Home| button in the menu to take you back. For non-frames users, I have invited a little friend, the HTML Wizard, to show you the way back. By simply clicking on him, he'll lead you back to the index page! :-) (He's been very helpful around here and deserves some recognition...) :-)
|Back|

 

Why does my browser keep crashing?

Well, so far as I can tell, NetScape crashes on some systems due to a type of "memory overload". Although it causes no residual damage, it is a nuisance to have to keep reloading your browser. The best way to prevent this from happening is by keeping your memory as clear as possible. (No, not yours...I'm talking about the computer!) :-)
|Back|

 

How do I fix this?

Well, for Navigator users, simply click on Options, then go to Network Preferences. Select the "Cache" tab and clear both caches. I currently have no data for clearing caches on other browsers, however. Netscape Communicator should do this whenever neccessary, so you don't have to worry about that. And note that clearing the caches essentially renders the Load page useless as all the data which was copied onto your hard drive for speed is now erased. This can also be used to help free up some hard drive space if you seem to be running low like I am!
|Back|

 

Why don't I see the Java applets?

The most common reason is that you do not have a Java capable browser. Give NetScape Navigator 2.0 or higher (preferrably higher...the Java is more reliable on up to date versions) a whirl. If you have this browser, however, your Java is obviously turned off. To enable your Java again, click options and select Network Preferences. Click the Languages tab and make sure that both boxes for Java and JavaScript are checked. This should correct this problem.
|Back|

 

Why does NetScape Navigator open a new window when I click a link?

There are two reasons behind this manner of linking. For one, if the link you select is also framed, you get that trippy frame-within a frame-within a frame garbage, which makes it hard to decipher which page is what. And secondly, it's so you'll always have a way back here if you wander too far off through other links and want to get back easily.
|Back|

 

What is your purpose for having a homepage?

While some homepages focus on one thing, which is sharing links and a bio, I wanted to try and create something totally unique. Something people would want to come back to just so they could see what was new. And I also wanted to make it "interactive" in a way, by asking people to vote, send stories, suggest additions, listing their birthdays, and other such things. I've tried to make it as visually appealing as well as fun and interesting to browse. I've tried to rely on content rather than all the pics I can find to fill space to keep it intriguing. And most of all, I haven't quit working on it. And I probably never will, either! A homepage should "always" be under construction, I think. Well, that's just my little "head-thoughts" on why I started this page, and I still have yet to say, "I'm done, there's nothing more I can do," because there's always something else I can do to improve it!
|Back|

 

Whoah! Was that intro real??

Well, actually, no, it's not. There's nothing I could ever do (or would want to do) to scan someone's information and send them to jail for simply accessing a web page. Had it been real, I'm very sure it would have been under much tighter security and much harder to find. And why would a top-secret government organization keep classified files on the web anyway. They may have a web site, but the net is still too far from being totally secure to post truly classified information. Sorry if I scared anyone by that! It was only intended for fun!
|Back|

 

What are the ingredients of a peanut-butter & jelly sandwich?

Hmmmm....well, last I checked it was peanut-butter, jelly, and two slices of bread. Unless you want that to be a "double-decker PBJ", then, you need more peanut butter, more jelly, and another slice of bread. And then, there's the knife for spreading if you're picky. (and since I'm really picky, I use a knife for peanut butter and a spoon for the jelly!)
|Back|

 

Why is your nick B#?

MANY people have asked me this, so here I am to set the record straight (so to speak). Way back (well, not that far back) in my freshman year at band camp, I had a substitute teacher who thought it would be "cute" if she put a # instead of Sharp on a sheet of paper I was supposed to be handed, so I figured it was pretty cool and decided to use that as my nick! Also, people tell me there is no such thing as a B#. Well, here to set the record straight again, there IS such a thing as a B#; you probably just haven't ever seen it used. It is used VERY seldomly and is often not considered part of the chromatic scale. It is, however, the same note as C natural, but hey! That doesn't fit my name! :-)
|Back|

 

What are the 5 methods of water rescue?

Well, back a few years at Boy Scout camp, I got the Lifesaving merit badge (woohoo, big thrill, eh?). Well, to be a lifeguard, you have to know the 5 methods of water rescue. And here to give them to you (as if you cared) is me! Reach, throw, row, go with support, and go. There! I know...it's a dumb thing to put up, but did you ever read the section that you clicked on??
|Back|

 

What does clicking here do?

Unfortunately, it did nothing but move you to this point in the document. Sorry! Try again! :-)
|Back|

 

What is the longest word you know of?

The longest word I've seen or heard of is "antidisestablishmentarianism". Don't ask me what it means though, I just know it's a "Social Studies" word, and from what I've heard is the longest word in the English language. But, that's as yet unconfirmed. I'm sure there must be a longer one out there somewhere. (No, "supercalifragilitic expialidocious" doesn't count...that's actually two words!)
|Back|

 

Why am I even reading this far?

I have no idea...all I can think of is that you must be kinda bored! :-)
|Back|

 


© 1996 Brandon Sharp