Downloading Documents

When appropriate, documents can be downloaded from this site.  They will be marked as a 'Download' and will come in two forms as illustrated below.  Almost everyone will be able to read a 'Word' document, however there are some who will not be able to read an 'Acrobat' document, because they do not have the necessary program on their computer.  This program can be downloaded from Adobe, at their website  www.adobe.com  at no cost, it is called the Acrobat Reader.

Microsoft Word - which can be edited and printed

Adobe Acrobat - which can be printed



Pages take ages to download

Some pages on this site are very large, especially those with many pictures. If you have a modem connection between your computer and the internet it may take a few minutes. However, information on the larger pages is arranged so that the most recent items come first. Please be patient.



Pictures - They haven't all downloaded

Sometimes, particularly with pages that hold a lot of images (pictures), the browser 'gives up' during a page download and leaves you with some (or all) images shown as an empty frame with a little red cross (like this ) in it. At the bottom of the page (bottom left) it says 'Done'. Those images which have been successfully downloaded are stored in your computer. So, click on the 'Refresh' button (looks like this ) at the top of the screen, which will make the page reload. You will see the images being checked at the bottom left of the screen until it reaches those not yet downloaded, when it will continue. Repeat this operation if it 'gives up' again at any point until you have all the images.



Surfing with more than one window open at a time

How to open a new browser window for fast surfing

Why would I want to do that?
This way, you can read a page in one window while a new page loads in the other. Or you can resize the windows and view two pages side by side. But, remember, whenever you open a new window, the Back button will be disabled. Click over to the original window to go back to previous sites.

There are several ways of doing this. Simply try, and see which works best for you.

If you're using a Windows-based PC, you may also simply hold down the Shift key while left clicking a link to open it in a new window.

Or go to the File menu and select New Window to surf with more than one browser window.

Or you can hit the Command or Ctrl key (depending on platform) and then the N key. If you click and hold on a link or image (or right-click), you'll get the option to open the image or link in a new window.

Or just use your right mouse button to click on it (or hold down your single mouse button if you don't have two), and a menu will pop up. One of the choices will be to open a new window.


Right-Clicking (or Clicking and Holding) on Links

To get a range of options for any link you encounter, all you need to do is right-click on it (if you use a Windows-based PC) or click and hold down on it (if you use a Mac).

This will give you a pop-up menu that (depending on the computer platform and browser you are using) will let you open the link in the same browser window, open the link in a new browser window, bookmark the page being linked to, or even print it or send it to someone via email.


Something that more and more links are doing is particularly confusing to newcomers: sometimes when you click on a link, instead of loading a new page in the same browser window, a new browser window opens for the new page on top of the old page.

That means you have two windows open at once. If the second one covers the original window exactly, you might not even notice it opened - until you try to use the Back button. Then, because, you're in a new window, there's nothing to go back to; so you can either pull the top window out of the way or click the close button (X) in the upper-left corner to get back to the original window, or minimize it by clicking on the minimize button (-).

You can choose to open any link in a new window (unless it is a JAVA script link, which will only pop up an error message when an attempt is made to open it in a new window).

People often choose to open a link in a new window so they can continue reading the page they are on while the new one loads, or to compare two pages side by side.



Viruses - Protecting your computer

Some Members and Supporters have reported virus problems. Viruses are a continuing problem for computer users, and are likely to remain a problem for the foreseeable future. However, if you take sensible and regular precautions you will be able to protect your system very satisfactorily and easily.
The following step-by-step procedure should result in overcoming most of these problems.

1. Make sure you have virus-scanning software installed on your computer. If your virus checker is over twelve months old, consider renewing it.
Any computer store - PC World, Dixons, Comet, Currys, Staples, Office World, etc. will be able to advise you and supply software for about £40 - a small price to pay to avoid losing all your files (and the resulting problems!). Suitable software is available from Norton or McAfee (which are the most commonly used AntiVirus software suppliers). Install the software and READ THE MANUAL. The Cotswold Hunt is able to supply Members and Supporters with Norton AntiVirus software, together with the support to get it set-up right. Email with your telephone number if you need this help.

2. Update the Virus Scanning software regularly, via the internet - certainly every week, but more frequently if you receive a lot of emails regularly, new viruses are appearing every day. Your virus-scanning software will only be effective if you update it with the latest 'virus signatures'. All the commercially available programmes have a facility to update these files via the Internet. All of them will have full instructions on how to do this, either automatically or manually. We strongly advise that you do this at least on a weekly basis to ensure ongoing protection. The package which you buy will probably only provide updates for a 12 month period after which you will need to renew 'on-line' for further updates, or buy the next version if this is appropriate.

3. Don't open suspicious looking email attachments or email attachments from senders that you do not recognise. Viruses are usually carried in attachments, not in the main body of the email. If you are unsure, scan the email with your updated virus scanning software, following the programme's instructions. If you are still uncertain, then DELETE the email and empty your email program's waste bin and your desktop waste bin. Better delete and miss an email than risk infection.

4. Until recently viruses always arrived by email. This is now not necessarily the case and consequently Microsoft have produced Security Updates to cover eventualities which are constantly discovered. The Security Updates are considered 'critically important' by Microsoft and can be downloaded by opening Internet Explorer and then clicking 'Tools' followed by 'Windows Update'. Then simply follow the instructions.

5. There have been recent instances of individuals receiving unsolicited emails from Microsoft, together with attachments. It is not Microsoft's practice to send emails without prior request from the recipient. Any such emails should be treated with great suspicion and ideally deleted for safety.

The Cotswold Hunt pays particular attention to ensure that it does not forward viruses, nor become infected with viruses. For the price of a meal out and a few minutes attention each week everyone can achieve this same level of protection.

The Cotswold Hunt offers this advice in good faith and in line with current industry practice, but is unable to accept any responsibility for its effectiveness and/or problems which result from the installation of AntiVirus software or other software.