HELP : TECHNICAL INFORMATION & REQUIREMENTS

STOP PRESS: PROBLEM BROWSERS (Updated 2/12/2004) We have recently had a number of questions regarding two Mac browsers - Netscape 7.1 and Safari. The Netscape problems appear to be specific to this version of the browser on the Mac platform, and we recommend that you upgrade your browser from http://channels.netscape.com/ns/browsers/default.jsp. Likewise, Safari is a newcomer to the world of browsers, and still has issues with some standard code. The latest version (1.2) is available from www.apple.com/safari/ - which we believe is compatible with our web site. We will be looking into coding around bugs in these versions of these browsers in December, but in the mean time are unable to support them fully.

The No.1 reason for people contacting us is along the line of :
"I have added items to my shopping basket but they do not appear in my basket." Click Here for details

The No.2 reason for people contacting us is along the line of :
"I am receiving a message that cookies are not enabled, but I have checked and they are." Click Here for details

SUPPORTED BROWSERS AND PLATFORMS

This site has been set up to work with all current standards compliant browsers inclulding Netscape, Opera, Mozilla and Internet Explorer. Other browsers are not specifically supported, although many others should work. In addition, please ensure that:

• Javascript is turned on. (Netscape Navigator 4.x users only)
• Your browser is set up to accept 'cookies' (see here for how to check this).

TECHNICAL FAQ

• I have added items to my shopping basket, but when I click 'view shopping basket' I am told that I have no items there..
  This problem is most likely to be because you do not have 'cookies' enabled on your browser. Check your browsers security settings or general preferences. In Internet Explorer, go to Tools-Security-Custom Level, and activate cookies. See our section on cookies below for more information.
  
  
• When I select the secure payment option, I get forwarded to a blank screen...
  At this point in the ordering process, you are being transferred to secure connection, which encrypts the data that you send to the website. In order that you can see the connection is secure, this page opens in a new browser window, which may take a few seconds to initialise. Please be patient, on days when the internet is running slowly, this may take up to 30 seconds.
  
  
• I have enabled cookies in my browser, but still receive a message that they are not enabled.
  When you first enter the Freak Emporium web site, a cookie is set on your computer. If this cookie cannot be found, you will receive a message that cookies are not enabled on your computer. In the event of a server timeout for example, the cookie will not be set. If you try to log in, or add an item to your shopping basket, this will in most cases clear the problem. If not you should hit the refresh button on your browser, or navigate to our home page (http://www.freakemporium.com/). This will cause the cookie to be set again, and the error message should disappear.
  
  If you are still having problems, and are on a network, it is possible that you have firewall software installed on the network that strips cookies. In this case you should talk to your network administrator.
  
  
• How secure are my card details when I enter them into the site?
  Credit card details are only taken over a secure connection. This means that when the data is sent to us from your computer, it is sent in encrypted form. Once the data reaches our site, it is encrypted further using PGP, and then sent to us in totally scrambled form via email. There is only one key that can decrypt this information, and it is in our office, heavily password protected. In addition, the key that encrypts the data originally cannot even decrypt it itself. This process is known as '2 Key cryptography', and is the standard for data encryption accross the internet.