(or FAQ for all you old timers)
This page offers technical information on the NetherReal,
a sort of how it's put together and what works
page, if you will. As time goes on, more information will be posted, but don't expect
everything...
I mean, I don't want to tell you all my trade secrets, now do I?
How can I best view the NetherReal? Which browser should I use?
Why do you insist on so many frames?
Why do I get an error message telling me I can't play the music when I load some of the pages?
It takes a long time to load some of the pages of the NetherReal. Is there a way to speed things up?
What tools do you use to create the NetherReal?
I keep seeing references to copyright issues on all of your pages. What are you talking about?
Is it okay to download stories off your site?
Is it okay to download pictures off your site and use them?
Should I be worried about the content of the NetherReal rotting my brain?
Can I submit something to your site?
The NetherReal is developed with HTML 4.0 and requires an HTML 4.0 compliant browser for the best viewing pleasure. HTML 4.0 compliant browsers include Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0+ or Netscape Communicator 4.0+. Although both of these browsers are HTML 4.0 compliant, each interprets certain code in different ways. Dependent on your browser selection, you may or may not see certain effects, or may see these effects in ways not intended during the original development. As much as possible, this site has been developed with the thought of minimizing this issue as much as possible.
When developing web sites, the developer must focus on a specific browser and then attempt to get as much of the same effect on other, comparable browsers on the market. The NetherReal has been developed with MSIE 4.0+ in mind. Dynamic HTML developed for this site will function when using MSIE 4.0+ in all instances, but there is no guarantee that the same holds true when using other browsers.
If you are using MSIE 4.0+, the NetherReal is best viewed in full-screen mode.
I know that frames are a serious pain to most of us normal folk, if the frame set was not designed and developed efficiently. The worst aspect of frames is navigational issues and bookmarking. You see a page in a frame that is about three clicks into the thing and you bookmark it. When you return later you find that your browser loads the first frame set again, and you have to go back and find what you liked.
To try to keep this type of problem to a minimum, I've designed the frame sets so that you'll never go more than two pages into the thing before you go to another full page or frame set. If the frame set has more than two layers, navigational tools are embedded in one of the permanent frames so that you can access any one of the pages that belong to the set without having to fight through all the layers to get there. Frames are very effective not only for high impact design techniques, but information flow, as well.
Still, if you don't like frames, some of the pages give you an alternative before getting to the frame set (The Cthulhu Lexicon and The Gallery, to name two). All frame sets have an alternate no-frames version built in just in case you hit the set with a browser that is non-frame compliant. At a later date I hope to offer the choice for all pages, either by cookie or by you manually choosing an option.
Concerns and complaints have been issued over the use of music on the site and the error messages they produce on some computers which are not equipped with sound cards. At this time, I am testing different JavaScript applications which provide a juke box effect, allowing you to select whether or not you want music. Unfortunately, it is a common fact that most individuals who do not have sound cards are not using browsers which are JavaScript compliant, so the juke box won't work anyway. As soon as I can find a solution to this problem, I'll get it fixed.
While on the subject, MIDI files found on the NetherReal come from a multitude of sources. Extensive efforts have been made to locate the original artists of files and get their permission for use whenever possible. Some files have no known originator. If you hear a file you know of, or are the artist of a file located on this site, contact me immediately.
The NetherReal Text Only Version is almost complete. At this time, if you use one of the links from the text-only Table of Contents, it will take you to text only versions of each department at the NetherReal. Conversion is still going on (those links above with an asterick by them are still graphic versions) but it is close to completion. An unfortunate side effect from this on going project is if you end up in a graphic version of most pages, you'll have to come back to the text-only version of the Table of Contents to get back in. Sorry for the inconvience, there are over 800 files on this site and I have to change the links to each one of them. Bear with me.
I mean, I load the NetherReal, it takes a long time and then things don't look right in certain spots?
Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) technology was introduced to give web developers more control over how visitors see the site through advanced formatting options. No longer do pages retain linear patterns, no longer are developers restricted in font usage, postioning, and other rigid issues normall associated with HTML. Unfortunately, as with HTML 4.0, only CSS compliant browsers can see these pages as intended, and then in different ways. Efforts are in progress to standardize support for CSS, but as long as there are giants who want you to use their product alone, there will always be major differences.
The NetherReal utilizes CSS in varying degrees across the site. At this time, the site is still in the progress of attaching CSS to all pages. Though more and more browsers are being developed to support CSS standards, you should use MSIE 3.01+ or Netscape Communicator 4.0+ to experience CSS on this site. When viewing with non-CSS compliant browsers, you may experience some formatting loss.
There comes a time when things have to advance, and this site goes right along with it. I want my visitors to experience the world of H.P. Lovecraft and the Cthulhu Mythos in all its gory detail, I'm not there yet but I soon will be. In order to do this, though, I must use whatever is available. The only thing I can recommend is getting hold of either Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01+ or Netscape Communicator 4.03+ and experience not only what the NetherReal, but the rest of the Internet, has to offer in the realm of multimedia experience.
A lot of people think that if they see material posted on the Internet, it's free for anyone to use as they see fit. That would be the same as saying they see a photograph in a magazine and can now use and abuse that photograph as they see fit. Guess what, you can't! Corel went through a big law suit (which they lost terribly) a few years back when the winner of their Graphics of the Year contest was proved to have used a photograph he found in a magazine as the base for a digital work of art. Even though he had altered the photograph, it was still based on copyrighted material.
All works found on the NetherReal, whether written, drawn, painted, or created otherwise, are copyrighted by their respective creator. THEY ARE NOT PUBLIC DOMAIN! These works have been provided by their respective creators for your enjoyment. The copying and posting of these works on other web sites without the express permission of the creator is a violation of the Bernes Copyright Convention of 1978, the WIPO Treaty, and all other applicable national and international copyright laws. Do the right thing and respect the other person's work. Get permission before you use it!
It is understandable that you may wish to download or print stories that are on the site to minimize your time on-line. As long as this is for STRICTLY private use, as long as the name of the author is not separated from the story, as long as story or any part thereof does not appear in any publication, whether on paper, electronic, or by any other means, and you receive no profit or compensation for the act, you can download it to read it ONLY! You may not distribute, republish, or otherwise reproduce and redistribute, by electronic or any other means, any of the material on this site. The person who wrote the piece worked hard to do it, respect their work. If you want to use it for any other purpose, contact the author or this publication first.
The NetherReal is very interested in protecting the rights of its contributors. If works originally published on the NetherReal are found on other sites, the NetherReal will immediately notify the site of the possible copyright infringement and the penalties involved, and will notify the contributor to insure their knowledge of the incident.
If, after all that, you still think it's okay to take and redistribute material on this site, you had better read the Legal Disclaimers page.
The world of H.P. Lovecraft and the Cthulhu Mythos is not a pretty one. The content of this site reflects this world in as much vivid representation as possible. As much as the NetherReal does not appreciate the use of gratuitous sex and violence in works of fiction, poetry, and art, sex and violence do exist within this site. All scenes depicted either in fictional works or in art that are sexual or violent in nature only portray the world in which the Mythos strives. If such scenes offend you, or you have children who you do not want exposed to such scenes, DO NOT PROCEED.
Anyone can submit material to the NetherReal. To find out how, go to the Submissions Guideline.