Tips

Many Web 2.0 tools are in beta--not the final version of a product or Web site, but close enough to show in public and work the bugs out. But the bugs may still pop up when you are using a site.

Here are some hints if you encounter a bug:

• Flash and Adobe Reader are required for many of the applications. Chances are these are already installed on your computer, but if they are not and you are in the Library, please contact Systems via Bugzilla. If you are working outside of the Library you can click here for a free download of Flash and here click here for a free download of Adobe reader. If you are outside of the Library, but not using a personal computer always check with your tech people before downloading anything.
  
• Java needs to be enabled in your browser for many of the applications, too. Here are instructions on how to enable Java. If you are working inside the Library and have trouble with enabling Java, please contact Systems via Bugzilla.
  
• Refresh can make a stubborn tool wake up.
  
• Try closing the site/browser/program and re-opening. This often solves the problem.
  
• Not all links work all the time. Since there are often multiple links on a page to get to where you want to be, try clicking on another link. This often works in Blogger.
  
• Check your browser settings—make sure pop-up windows are enabled, allow cookies, and make other setting changes to see if that works.

• Most sites like Blogger, Bloglines, Google, Flickr, & YouTube will have a Help or FAQ section. Use these to solve your problem.
  
• Ask a colleague for help. And offer your expertise to them.
  
• Type a description of your problem ("can't change font size in blogger," for example) into a search engine. Odds are good that someone else had the problem and you might find the answer in a forum or group discussion.
  
• When all else fails, move on to something else and try again later. Keep in mind, too, that things change. Beta sites change a lot--you will see on the Blogger Dashboard, that Blogger is adding stuff all the time. Flickr, Google, Yahoo, and the others are continually adding and improving.

Ready to get started? Click here to go to the list of Things.