Web Site Launch

[Daniel Karrenberg <]

  > "Christian Panigl, ACOnet/UniVie +43 1 4065822-383" panigl@localhost
  >     Even http://www.netscape.com/ shows its home-page to poor man's
  >     browsers, why can't the RIPE-NCC ?  I always thought the RIPE-NCC is a
  >     technical network coordination centre whose info's should be accessible
  >     as broadly as possible and not a shopping-mall for Netscape shareholder
  > s
  >     (sorry for this one ;-}

We totally agree with you on this one. That is why we have made two versions
of the site. The fancy one you complain about had all the bells and whistles 
including frames and many graphics. The other is mainly text and uses standard
HTML only. The problem is that we automatically detect whether your browser
is frames capable and give you the fancy version if it is.

There were basically three choices we could make:

1) Determine the browser's capabilities and choose a version accordingly.
2) Always show a selection page for the user before showing the home page
3) Always show the non-fancy home page with a selection button to choose
   the fancy version.

You seem to favour option three. This one did not fall well with those that
argued our site should look flashy and we whould show off all the design
work we did. :-).

We plan to have a button on the framed version to select the non framed one
though.  It was one of these things that wasn't ready at the last second.

You can choose the non framed version now by using a browser not capable
of frames (if you dislike frames/netscape). Alternatively you can just link to
http://www-new.ripe.net/cgi-bin/noframes/translate?html/noframes/homepage.html.

  >     Please make your info-site "Lynx"able again, and make all Java/Frames
  >     and other "kinky" features optional !

The site is Lynxable as Lynx does not do frames it will use the non-framed 
version. 

  >     My personal opinion, anyway, always interested in others of course !

Mine too.

Daniel