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Frequently asked questions

Questions often asked about this website (excluding those relating to content)

If your question isn't answered below, please contact NERC's Webteam.

  1. Why don't external links open a new browser window?
  2. Why doesn't the site display properly in my browser?
  3. Why do the navigation menus and page-top picture not appear when I print a page?
  4. Why doesn't the website resize to the size of my browser window?
  5. Can I use the NERC logo in a presentation?
  6. Can I register to get news alerts from NERC?
  7. Can I request a hyperlink to be added from the NERC site to my website?
  8. Can I add a hyperlink from my website to point to a page on the NERC site?

1. Why don't external links open a new browser window?

We felt it was better to leave the choice to users of our site, rather than force all external links to open in a new window by default. As several browsers now offer tabbed browsing (multiple tabbed pages open in one parent window), you can choose whether to open a link in the existing window or tab (default), a new tab (if the browser allows) or a new window.

Your browser will almost certainly offer options when opening a link by right-clicking on your mouse, or choosing different browser settings. Please refer to the browser help menu for more information.

2. Why doesn't the site display properly in my browser?

This site has been designed using "Cascading Style Sheets" (CSS) for all visual formatting and positioning of components of each page, and we have tried to test all the HTML/CSS code to make sure it is valid and so should work well in modern compliant browsers.

Many older browsers can't cope and some newer ones may not render everything properly. If you are having problems, please check that your browser is the latest version available and consider upgrading if possible.

3. Why do the navigation menus and page-top picture not appear when I print a page?

Your browser may be using our separate "print" stylesheet. This swaps the image for a NERC logo and hides the navigation menus - the intention being to make better use of the paper area to use fewer sheets. This should save you money as well as reducing environmental impact of printing. See our policy on Greening NERC for more information on how we are reducing our environmental footprint.

4. Why doesn't the website resize to the size of my browser window?

When we redesigned the site we did look at options other than the one we implemented (a fixed width centred on the page and displaying without horizontal scrolling for window widths above 800 pixels).

There is a trade-off between design and usability. By fixing the width, we can ensure that features which help people use the site - especially navigation - stay in a fixed position.

Users can change their browser preferences to use their own style sheet which potentially could be designed to give full-width resizable pages.

5. Can I use the NERC logo in a presentation?

If NERC helped fund the work you are making a presentation on, then yes. For help please contact NERC communications who can offer advice on how to use NERC logos. Commercial organisations should always contact us first. Please refer to our copyright notice for guidance on other images.

6. Can I register to get news alerts from NERC?

Some science areas offer a "listserver" service to distribute news and announcements electronically. The central listserver for NERC "Funding news" (research and training) has now been replaced by one of our RSS news feeds. These give a faster and more flexible service - new information is shown as soon as this site is updated.

7. Can I request a hyperlink to be added from the NERC site to my website?

Yes, but only by getting in touch with your usual point of contact in NERC (such as a science programme officer) who will then review and pass on your request if appropriate.

8. Can I add a hyperlink from my website to point to a page on the NERC site?

Yes, as long as this does not break rules over copyright, such as by loading content from this website into a frame on another site.

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