HELP!
We hope you don't have any problems using our site, but here is some information which you may be of use if you are having some problems.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION :
Q: Why do I get a warning to ask me if I want to allow active content? What is the active content? Will it hurt my computer?
A: Our drop-down navigation bar at the top of the page is created using DHTML (Dynamic Hyper Text Markup Language) and includes Java Script and ActiveX. Some users may have settings on their PC set to warn or prevent them from using active content. If you are getting a warning message such as that, it is alerting you that this type of content is present. We would suggest that you click on "allow blocked content" because using the DHTML navigation should make it easier to use this website. We do recognise however that some people may prefer not to do this, so we have text based navigation for the main sections of the site at the bottom of each page. The content that we have set up should not harm your computer. If you have any problems with it though, please contact webmaster@stevebalsamofan.com for more assistance.
Q: I don't use Internet Explorer, can I view your site properly using a Netscape, Opera, or Mozilla/Firefox browers? Does it work on both PC/Mac?
A: Yes, the site should be viewable using most common browers. The DHTML navigation is also compliant with most browsers and works on a Mac as well as a PC, so hopefully it will work for you! If it doesn't however, please contact us and let us know what operating system you are using and what brower (and version of that browser) you are using, along with the problem, and we will try to determine if there is anything we can do to help you. We are keen to make the site better for everyone, so if you do experience problems, the only way we can try to remedy them, is by you telling us these details.
Q: The font is too small for me to read!
A: The font can be resized by using your browser bar. In Internet Explorer, click on VIEW, then TEXT SIZE and make your selection. Please note though that the drop down navigation/menu bar does not resize.
Q: How can I get a banner or avatar to use on the messageboard?
A: If you have any image editing software, such as Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, or Paint Shop Pro, you can easily create your own avatars and banners - you just need to create it, and upload it to a site (such as Photobucket http://www.photobucket.com ) You can then link your chosen image to the messageboard using the link Photobucket provides. Over the course of time we will be hoping to provide you with a selection of avatars and banners for you to choose from if you don't have access to image editing software, or maybe just don't have the time or inclination to make one, but this will happen over the course of time. If you do make your own, always make sure that you have permission to use it.
Q: Why do you have so many "Overview" sections?
A: We recognise that there are all sorts of fans - from "new", to "casual", through to "hard-core" and we wanted to make the site entertaining for everyone. Even if you only have a couple of minutes to drop into the website, we have given you these "Overview" pages which are really general information pages that describe briefly what is included in that section. If you are particularly interested in one specific area (such as musicals) you can drill down into the rest of the pages in that section for more information. It also gives hard-core fans something to sink their teeth into, as we have tried to provide as much information as possible about Steve's many talents.
NON-TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Q: Why don't you have any personal information about Steve or his family on the website?
A: We respect Steve's privacy regarding personal matters. We are fans because we enjoy and appreciate Steve's many talents. You wouldn't dream of asking your dentist, plumber, or insurance salesman what his/her family is like, where he/she currently lives, what his/her favourite film is, etc and then list it all on a website for the whole world to see, We think Steve should be given that same respect and consideration. If he wants us all to know anything personal, he will announce it on his Official Website.
Q: Steve already has an Official Website and an Official Fansite, so why have you created this website?
A: There are several reasons why this website has been created. First of all, from a personal point of view, Steve's music has helped me through some particularly difficult moments in the past few years of my life, and I whenever possible I have tried to "give back" in whatever way I can as a fan. Even if I only have a positive impact on one or two people by doing this website, then it has been a success. It was also an opportunity to learn some new skills and make some new friends too, so it seemed like a good thing to do.
Q: Why don't you have copies of articles from other websites and news clippings about Steve posted on this website?
A: There are a couple of reasons why we don't do this. First of all, we respect the right of copyright of those articles. They are on other sites, such as newspaper websites, for you to read, but that does not give us the right to copy and paste them on this website. It is the equivalent of theft, and as we would not want Steve's copyright infringed, we must show the same respect to others. Another reason is because in the UK, you must pay a fee to the NLA (Newspaper Licensing Agency) if you make any news items available to view by others, be it via photocopy or by posting on a website. As we are not subsidized by Steve, his management, or record label and are self-supporting, we would rather spend our website money in other ways which may be more beneficial on the whole.
Q: We know you have sound and video clips that you can load up on the website, so why don't you?
A: Going back to the analogy of the dentist, plumber or insurance salesman, you wouldn't ask them to give you free services, (well, you might try, but I don't think it would be successful!) In the same way, we feel it is being respectful and responsible to not make these things available via the internet as this is what Steve does to earn his living. Steve does give away some songs for free listening on his own Official Website, so we encourage you to visit there if you would like to hear some of his music for free. But as fans, we do not have the right to upload MP3's, .wav files, etc to give away to anyone. It is the equivalent of stealing as far as we are concerned.
Q: What about radio interviews - things that have been broadcast on the internet already?
A: There is no difference, only that the broadcast is owned by the station, not only Steve (it may be Steve's song or interview, but by performing it for the station, the way we understand it, the rights belong with the station for use and any associated fees of use in the first instance. It is also important to note that the BBC is the single largest employer of musicians in the UK and there is absolutely no way that we are going to take a chance of causing a problem for Steve with the BBC by uploading bits from his appearances on those shows. Please be respectful to Steve and follow our lead on this - it is very important! (Another point to mention is that you will need to pay the associated fees for it even if you do have permission to upload. So the easy answer is PLEASE JUST DON'T DO IT!
We should also mention that if you find any problems with this site in layout or use please let us know so we may investigate improvements for version #2!
Regards
Denise
