Site specifications and requirements
Requirements
The display resolution recommended is 1024 x 768 pixels or more.
All of the articles and genealogy resource pages can be viewed on a browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5.5 or later, Mozilla Firefox or Safari.
The searchable databases require a more recent browser such as Internet Explorer 6+ (version 8+ is recommended), Mozilla Firefox (version 3.6+ is recommended) and Safari 1.2+ (version 4+ is recommended). JavaScript must be enabled. The panoramic views require a Flash player to be installed.
A broadband internet connection is highly recommended. Users of low performance computers or internet connections will need patience on waiting for the results of their searches.
Similarly, the maps require JavaScript to be enabled, and the same performance recommendations apply.
Page layout
All pages on this site have a consistent layout to ensure maximum ease of use.The header at the top of each page displays the site logo on the left. On the right is the hierarchy of the current tabbed page. The other pages in the path are directly accessible by clicking them. These and all other links are initially strongly coloured but merge somewhat into the background after being visited. Whilst the pointer hovers over them or they are selected, they turn the complementary colour.
The main content of each page, on a pale background, begins with the main heading. The page may end with links to associated pages.
The footer at the bottom of the page has links to the home page, an about us page, a site map, our privacy policy, a site search page and a link to allow users to contact us by email. Below these links is the page revision date and the site copyright notice. In the case of the home page, the revision date is the latest revision date of any page on the site.
Accessibility
This site meets most accessibility guidelines. However, the databases are not suitable for use on low resolution hand held devices such as early mobile telephones and PDAs of less than 480 x 360 pixels. Displays of 1024 x 768 or more are recommended.Good text contrast is assured by using dark text on a pale coloured background. Clear, easy to read type faces have been chosen.
If you need to increase the text size due to a vision impairment, most browsers allow this from their View menus without compromising the page layout.