Mistress Julia - With Answers for AOL Users

AOL

To figure out which version of AOL you're running, go to HELP in the top menu and select ABOUT AOL. Then follow these easy steps for all AOL browsers. Although the images below might not look EXACTLY like your browser, the steps are the same. Please be aware that there are other problems with AOL that can't be fixed by changing a simple setting. Ultimately, the best way to view the Internet is through an independent service provider that allows you standard access using your choice of Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer.

The AOL browser is notorious for causing display problems. If you see distortions, color bands, black or grayish blocks (mainly with JPG or JPEG pictures), this is because the graphics are being viewed with the AOL internal browser while the graphics compression is turned on. If you see very wide images that look squashed width wise, it's because JPEG's wider than 640 pixels will be re-sized to a width of 640 pixels after being compressed by the AOL software.

The good news is that you can disable AOL graphics compression, after which you will have access to the same quality of artwork enjoyed by the non AOL world visitors on our sites. If after disabling AOL compression, you feel the wait for the images to load is now too long, you may re-enable AOL graphics compression at any time.

Also make sure under the "Members" "Preferences" "Graphics" "Set Color Mode" that your colors are set to the maximum allowable by your computer.

Please be aware that there are other problems with AOL that can't be fixed by changing a simple setting. Ultimately, the best way to view the Internet is through an independent service provider that allows you standard access using Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Improving Image Compression and Clearing Your Cache
for AOL 9.0
for AOL 5.0 - 8.0
for AOL 4.0
for AOL 3.0
 
AOL 9.0
Steps to improve image quality and clear the cache on your AOL browser.

1. Click on SETTINGS at the top of your AOL screen.

 

2. From the pop-up AOL Settings Screen, select INTERNET [WEB] OPTIONS (This is on the first page, which is the "Essentials" tab).

 

1. Select the tab labeled GENERAL.

2. Click DELETE FILES to empty your cache of pre-compressed graphics.

3 . Select the SETTINGS button.

 

4. Select EVERY VISIT TO THE PAGE. This ensures that you have the most recently updated images and options on frequently updated pages.

5. Choose OK.

1. Back in your Internet Options control panel, select the fifth tab labeled AOL BROWSER.

2. Choose NEVER COMPRESS GRAPHICS to ensure the best image quality.

3. Choose DO NOT STORE WEB PAGES to ensure that you are seeing the current images and content on updated pages.

4. Click OK. You're done!

NOTE: Press the RELOAD button on your browser to see the changes. Remember to RELOAD ANY PAGES YOU ARE RE-VISITING to see higher quality images.

 
AOL 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0
Steps to improve image quality on your AOL browser.

1. Click on SETTINGS at the top of your AOL screen. (For AOL 5.0 users, select the MY AOL tab instead. The rest of the instructions will be the same.)

2. Select PREFERENCES.

3. In the preferences window, select INTERNET PROPERTIES (WWW) from the third column.

 

4. Select the tab labeled WEB GRAPHICS.

5. Check NEVER COMPRESS GRAPHICS.


Steps to clear the cache on your AOL browser.

1. Select the tab labeled GENERAL.

2. Click DELETE FILES to empty your cache of pre-compressed graphics.

3 . Select the SETTINGS button.
1. Select EVERY VISIT TO THE PAGE. This ensures that you have the most recently updated images and options on frequently updated pages.

2. Choose OK. Your done!

NOTE: Press the RELOAD button on your browser to see the changes. Remember to RELOAD ANY PAGES YOU ARE RE-VISITING to load higher quality images.
 

AOL 4.0

1. Click the button at MY AOL button the top of the AOL window.

2. Select PREFERENCES.

3. Click the WWW button within the Preferences window.

4. Under Temporary Internet Files click DELETE.

5. At the next screen make sure DELETE ALL SUBSCRIPTION CONTENT is UNCHECKED and select OK.

6. Select the tab that says WEB GRAPHICS.

7. Make sure USE COMPRESSED GRAPHICS is UNCHECKED. When this box is checked, graphics will download quicker, but the quality of the images will be very poor and often have lines and other flaws.

8. Click OK.

9. Press the RELOAD button on your browser to see the changes. Remember to RELOAD ANY PAGES YOU ARE RE-VISITING to load higher quality images.

 

AOL 3.0

1. Click the PREFS button at the top of the AOL Internet Browser.

2. Select the tab that says WEB GRAPHICS.

3.Make sure the USE COMPRESSED GRAPHICS BOX is UNCHECKED. When this box is checked, graphics will download quicker, but the quality of the images will be very poor and often have lines and other flaws.

4. Click OK.

5. Make sure under the MEMBERS : PREFERENCES : GRAPHICS : SET COLOR MODE that your COLORS SET TO THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE by your computer.

6 . Press the RELOAD button on your browser to see the changes. Remember to RELOAD ANY PAGES YOU ARE RE-VISITING to load higher quality images.

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