The above scripts provide a scrolling button to return you to the top of the page. Other non-script navigation options have been provided.

System Requirements for the SedDB Search Interface

Platform (Operating System)
The search has been tested on recent versions of Windows and Mac OS.

Browser Type/Version
The search interface is optimized for Internet Explorer and Netscape, version 6 or greater. Earlier browser versions should work, but may not correctly display some style elements. On Mac platforms, I.E. users may notice some differences in page display but this should not affect application behavior. Use of early version Safari browsers (Mac) with this site should be avoided, as there are problems with its rendering and implementation of standard form elements and behaviors. If your browser is operating with a very early version of JavaScript, functionality may be affected.

Browser Settings
Browsers must be set to allow pop-up windows; this is the mechanism through which queries are constructed. Check your browser's "help" to learn how to enable pop-ups only for specified sites. If you have third-party pop-up blocking software, you will need to make sure it allows pop-ups from this site. Some browsers disable popups by default and may interfere with proper functioning of the site.

In addition, browser settings must allow cookies for this site, in order to maintain the query session and to save queries. Sessions should not time out during short periods of inactivity, but early versions of the (Mac) Safari browser in particular may time out while waiting for results, due to an extremely short server response time of 60 seconds. While there is a plug-in that can be used to alter this default setting, we do not recommend using early versions of the Safari for the reasons above.

JavaScript is also necessary for the pages to function properly.

Internet Connectivity
The search has been tested on dial-up modem connections as well as high-speed cable, and seems to perform well. Depending on your connection speed, results may be slow for queries with very large result sets, and your browser may time-out before the complete results are returned.

Known Issues
1) When using I.E. on a Mac platform, the browser may not accurately indicate that you are currently viewing an initial pop-up window; that is, it may not correctly inactivate the "back" function even if there is no previous page to return to. In this case, the browser will "return" to a blank pop-up window.

To report problems: lehnert@ldeo.columbia.edu
These requirements are evolving through ongoing tests of the Search performance with various platforms, browsers, and internet connections. We are eager to receive comments regarding performance, problems, and suggestions; PLEASE note the following when sending any email:

  • internet connection speed
  • browser type and version
  • computer operating system
  • steps you performed in search process (if leading to a problem)
  • page title and URL (if a particular page is being discussed)