Topics:

1. What is a Pop-Up?

2. What is a Pop-Up Blocker?

3. Why are Pop-Up Blockers problematic when I try to use Niagara Navigator and how do I recognize this?

4. How do I selectively disable Anti Pop-Up Tools and/or Software?

5. How do I know if I have Windows XP Service Pack 2 installed on my computer?

6. How do I know if I have Google and/or Yahoo Toolbars installed on my computer?

A Pop-Up Window is a web browser window that is smaller than standard windows and without some of the standard features such as tool bars or status bars. Many legitimate advertisers on the Internet use windows that pop up in the middle of your screen to display a message. They might also open when you click a link or button on a Web site, and they might open either over or under the window you wish to view. Some pop-ups are helpful. For example, if you click an image to see a larger version, it might open in a pop-up window. Unfortunately, some pop-up windows can contain inappropriate content or can be a way for you to accidentally download dangerous software (called spyware or adware) onto your computer.

A Pop-Up Blocker is a tool (or sometimes a separate piece of software, commonly referred to as anti Pop-Up software) that prevents pop-up windows from opening in your Internet browser.

If you have browsed to http://navigator.yourniagara.ca/navigator and attempt to click the link for “Niagara Navigator” under Available Maps and nothing appears to happen, this is a good indication that you may have pop-up blocking software installed (which could also be part of another software e.g. your Firewall). Niagara Navigator launches itself into a new window, which some pop-up blockers mistakenly flag as a malicious pop-up. In order to view Niagara Navigator’s Internet mapping application, you will have to either disable your blocker or add http://navigator.yourniagara.ca/navigator to the list of sites your browser will allow pop-ups to originate from.

It is critical that you properly configure any software that prevents pop-up windows (commonly known as “Pop-Up Blockers”) before attempting to view Niagara Navigator. You are not required to uninstall your anti-popup software. We recognize that pop-ups are a common nuisance on the Internet today. Instructions are provided below on how to effectively configure anti Pop-Up tools and/or software to allow Niagara Navigator’s Internet mapping application.

Most pop-up blockers allow you to either selectively allow pop-ups from some sites or temporarily disable their function altogether. It is recommended that you selectively allow Pop-Ups from http://navigator.yourniagara.ca/navigator. Instructions are provided below for the most common pop-up blockers. With virtually hundreds of pop-up blockers on the market today it is impossible to provide an all-inclusive manual. For instructions on other pop-up blockers, refer to your pop-up blocker manufacturer's manual.

• In many cases there is more than one pop-up blocker installed on your computer. In this case, you’ll need to configure all of them.
• Other examples of pop-up blockers may be named “Ad Blocker” or “Window Killer”, etc.
• Sometimes a blocker may be installed without your knowledge – this is called “Spam”.
• Internet Explorer 7 is only available to users with Windows XP Service Pack 2 or newer (e.g. Windows Vista)

1. Configuring the Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SVP2) Pop-up Blocker
   1. Open an Internet Explorer window.
   2. Click on the Tools drop down menu.
   3. Choose Pop-Up Blocker and a second list opens to the right – choose Pop-Up Blocker Settings
      
      Internet Explorer Version 6
      
      Internet Explorer Version 7
      
      
   4. In the box for Address of Web Site to allow type in http://navigator.yourniagara.ca/navigator
   5. Click the Add button.
   6. Click Close to the Pop-Up Blocker Settings dialog.
   7. Close Internet Explorer and reload Niagara Navigator.
      
      
2. Configuring the Google Toolbar Pop-Up Blocker

   If you are using Internet Explorer with the Google toolbar, ensure that the Google Toolbar says "Popups Okay" when you are on the Niagara Navigator home page (http://navigator.yourniagara.ca/navigator). To do this, go to the Niagara Navigator home page and click the button on the Google Toolbar that says " # blocked" (e.g. 4 blocked in the picture below). The button will turn into “Popups Okay".

   
   

   Make sure before you click on the Niagara Navigator link under Available Maps that the button on the Google toolbar shows “Popups okay”.

   For more information about Google’s Pop-Up Blocker read Google’s help file located at http://toolbar.google.com/popup_help.html .

3. Configuring the Yahoo! Toolbar Pop-Up Blocker

   If you are using Internet Explorer with the Yahoo! Toolbar, when you tried to access Niagara Navigator from the list of Available Maps, the Yahoo! Toolbar Pop-Up Blocker icon should appear as depicted in the screenshot below. Click on the drop down arrow next to the Pop-Up icon.

   
   

   The Pop-Up Blocker menu will open. Choose “Always Allow Pop-Ups From”.

   
   

   The Yahoo Pop-Up blocker dialog will open. In the box titled “Sources of Recently Blocked Pop-Ups:” select “navigator.yourniagara.ca” and click on the “Allow” button.

   
   

   The following message will appear:

   
   

   Click OK. Now, in the “Always Allow Pop-Ups From These Sources:” box, “navigator.yourniagara.ca” should be listed. Click the "close" button.

   
   

   For more information about Yahoo’s Pop-Up Blocker read Yahoo’s help file located at http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/toolbar/features/popupblocker/index.html

5. How do I know if I have Windows XP Service Pack 2 installed on my computer?

1. Go to your My Computer icon on your desktop (if you don’t have this icon on your desktop, click the Start button and find “My Computer" in the listing).
2. Right click on the icon and choose Properties.
   
   
   
   
3. On the General tab, under the heading System it will list your Operating System, Version and Service Pack #.
   
   
   
   

6. How do I know if I have Google and/or Yahoo Toolbars installed on my computer?

If you are using Internet Explorer 6:

1. Open an Internet Explorer window.
2. Click on the View drop down menu.
3. Select Toolbars from the list. A second menu will open to the left displaying a list of all toolbars installed for Internet Explorer.
4. If Google and/or Yahoo! Toolbar are listed here, then they have been installed on your computer.
5. A checkmark next to the toolbar indicates it is turned on and visible in your browser. Selecting the Toolbar from the list will turn it on (if it doesn’t have a checkmark next to it already) or off (if it has a checkmark next to it already).

1. Open an Internet Explorer window.
2. Click on the Tools button.
3. Select Toolbars from the list. A second menu will open to the left displaying a list of all toolbars installed for Internet Explorer.
4. If Google and/or Yahoo! Toolbar are listed here, then they have been installed on your computer.
5. A checkmark next to the toolbar indicates it is turned on and visible in your browser. Selecting the Toolbar from the list will turn it on (if it doesn’t have a checkmark next to it already) or off (if it has a checkmark next to it already).
   
   
   In this screenshot, the browser is Internet Explorer 6. Notice in the Toolbar listing, both Google and Yahoo! Toolbar are shown. This indicates both are installed on this system. The checkmark next to Yahoo! Toolbar indicates it is turned on in the browser. Google is not turned on.