Computers come in many shapes and sizes, and configurations differ. To view the City Sites web site to best advantage you will need to configure your computer to meet certain basic requirements, otherwise the essays will not have the impact  the authors intended.

Here is an 8-point check ...

We expect your computer to be a PC running Microsoft Windows 95, 98 or NT. An automatic check reveals that the platform is

Your computer screen should have a resolution at least 800x600 pixels. In fact the current setting has already been checked automatically. The resolution is pixels,

The browser should be Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or better, or Netscape Communicator 4.0 or better. An automatic check reveals that your browser is

The work area on your browser should be at least pixels. The size of the area has been checked and is pixels,

Your display should be set for 16, 24 or 32-bit colour. (Alternatively, the setting might be referred to as 'High Color' or 'TrueColor'). An automatic check reveals that your display currently is -bit colour

Java should be enabled,

Shockwave Flash 4 should be installed,

You have a fast link to the web site (preferably at least 56 kBs). Internally within the Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham the departments are linked by glass-fibre cable and the response is very fast and will be OK. The same will be true of all UK Universities that are connected to SuperJanet. For other UK universities, non-UK universities, and non-institutional locations the response will be variable

Those with slower connections should take heart though because the site is regularly tested over a normal UK phone connection. There are detour paths built into the software specially for you. With a little patience you should be able to get there in the end!.