This site uses Javascript

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  • by Anup Shah
  • This Page Created Thursday, February 19, 2004

You have probably come to this page because of a feature that required JavaScript. In that case, your browser either does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled.

Please note that this site does NOT require you to enable JavaScript; it is only used to provide some extra features. Please read on to find out more, or, simpy use your browser's back button to continue reading where you left off.

What is JavaScript?

JavaScript is a technology known as a scripting language. It allows web pages to be programmed somewhat, to give some more dynamic features to the site.

Why does this site use JavaScript?

While JavaScript is not necessary for the site to work, some parts of this site make use of JavaScript to enrich the pages and provide some additional features.

JavaScript is used in the following features, and in all these cases, if you don't have JavaScript turned on, you will still be able to read the site.

In the content of some pages, there are “side notes”, which, if you are using a modern browser that has JavaScript enabled, are areas of text that you can select on and off to show or hide the side notes or extra text. However, if JavaScript is turned off, this text is visible by default. I use JavaScript to hide this supplemental information. Side NoteThe text in this sentence is an example of a side note. When JavaScript is enabled, the text and link before this sentence, marked as “Side Note” would be all that you can see. Only when you selected that link, would this text appear. Selecting it again would make it disappear. This is done to hide additional information which might not be as critical to the page. If JavaScript is disabled, selecting the side note link brings you to this page.

Another area JavaScript is used is in pages that have been updated since the start of 2004. The text at the top, where it mentions the author and the Last Updated date, becomes a link. Selecting it will pop up a box listing the dates updates were made to the page. Selecting a date will highlight text updated on that date, using JavaScript. If you have JavaScript disabled, you will not be able to use this feature. This will not prevent you reading the page, of course. This is done to allow people to see any updates since their last visit to that page.

Another place JavaScript is used is on some of the links to external web sites and articles. Sometimes, other web sites unfortunately change their sites in such a way, that a link I may have had to an article from that site, no longer works. The other site may have moved their article or decided to archive it off, and I have no control over these situations. As a result, in trying to predict such possibilities in the future, I have tried to provide some alternative locations. When JavaScript is enabled, when you select such a link, a box pops up telling you where else on the web you can look in case the primary link does not work. If JavaScript is turned off, that is okay; the primary link will be the one that will attempt to load, which is just the same as selecting any link that you normally select on any web site.

What if I do NOT want to turn JavaScript on?

That is fine. This site does not require JavaScript. This site only uses JavaScript to provide some additional features if JavaScript is turned on. Hence, you can leave JavaScript off, if you wish.

What if I DO want to turn JavaScript on?

Enabling JavaScript if it has been disabled, depends on the web browser software you are using. You will typically need to change the preferences from your browser.

A few examples are listed here (though instructions could vary depending on specific browser configurations):

Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 and above:

  1. From the Tools menu select Internet Options.
  2. Select the Security tab.
  3. Select the Custom Level button.
  4. Scroll to the Scripting section.
  5. Check Enable under Active scripting.
  6. Select the OK button to confirm.

Mozilla:

  1. From the Edit menu select Preferences
  2. Select Advanced.
  3. Select Scripts and Plugins.
  4. Check Enable JavaScript for Navigator.
  5. Select the OK button to confirm.

Firefox:

  1. From the Tools menu select Options.
  2. Select Web Features.
  3. Select Enable JavaScript.
  4. Select the OK button to confirm.

Opera:

  • Either:
    1. From the File menu select Preferences.
    2. Select Multimedia.
    3. Select Enable JavaScript.
    4. Select the OK button to confirm.
  • Or:
    1. From the File menu select Quick Preferences.
    2. Select Enable JavaScript.

For more information please consult the help documentation for your web browser.

Why do I get errors when I have JavaScript enabled?

There are usually three reasons I can think of if you get JavaScript errors:

  1. I might have a bug (or mistake) in my JavaScript code
  2. I might have made a change to the JavaScript code, but your browser has cached (remembered) the old code
  3. Your browser supports JavaScript but is not a modern browser that supports web standards

In these cases, below are possible remedies.

There might be JavaScript errors because of bugs on the globalissues.org site

In these cases, I usually try to fix as soon as possible. There is such minimal JavaScript, that this is an unlikely (though possible) situation. If you are unsure, please contact me, with as much information as you can provide (e.g. what page you were reading, what web browser you are using, on what type of computer, etc).

There might be JavaScript errors because the browser has remembered old JavaScript code

It would not be possible for you to know this has happened, because you would not know that I modified the JavaScript! But if you find strange problems or errors appearing on your page, you can try reloading the page. If that still causes problems, you can often force a reload, typically by holding down the control key on the keyboard (ctrl) and using your web browser's reload button at the same time. If you still have problems, it could either be my mistake (see above), or your browser doesn't support modern JavaScript and web standards (see below).

The browser might not be a modern browser and does not support Web Standards (e.g. Netscape 4)

Older browsers (such as Netscape 4) do support JavaScript, but they do not support web standards in general.

Web Standards are agreed ways to develop web pages so they can be more accessible and ready for the future. It has benefits for end users as well as web site owners. For example, download times can improve, and software used by those with dissabilities or special needs, such as screen readers, can better convey the site's contents to the user. Standards compliancy for vendors, companies and developers ensures a web site will work in the future as well and without unnecessary wastage of money and resources. The improved download times for end users can mean reduced bandwidth costs for owners. Proprietary implementations, on ther other hand, does not guarantee future compatibility, thus resulting in businesses and organizations expending more unnecessary costs. Browser monopoly wars (having ended for now, with Microsoft as the current winner) add to this wastage.

This web site was recently redesigned to make it more compatible with web standards. You can find out more about why I did this and more about the advantages this offers.

Where can I get a modern web browser?

Examples of modern web browsers include, though are not limited to, the following

  • For all the major computer operating system platforms
  • Specifically for a PC (Windows)
    • Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 or higher [Note, this browser is a “stagnant” though relatively modern browser. Indications from Microsoft suggest that development on this browser may be halted for some time, so innovations in browser/web technologies and accessibility features are more likely to appear in the other browsers mentioned. This browser also lags behind most others in technical features, though is the most dominant in usage by far.]
  • Specifically for a Mac (e.g. OS X)
  • Specically for Linux

Where can I learn more about modern web browsers and standards?

There are many sites on the web now, presenting the case for standards and modern browsers, for all sorts of reasons, such as improving accessibility, reducing development costs and thus increasing speed of development and enhancing richness of user experience while allowing user customizability and control, and so on.

Instead of trying to list many, one which in my mind is a good starting place is the The Web Standards Project. The organization is a grassroots coalition fighting for more standards to ensure simple and affordable access to web technologies for everybody. Their article, What are web standards and why should I use them? is a good article introducing the importance of web standards. Their web site has many links to other articles on these issues if you are interested.

To reiterate though, you do not have to upgrade your browser to view this site. However, doing so will allow you to experience additional features.

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  • by Anup Shah
  • Created: Thursday, February 19, 2004

“If I had 6 hours to cut down a tree, I would spend 4 hours sharpening my axe!” — Anon

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