Your web browser is a lot like a ship: if it takes on too much ballast, it will slow down . . . and maybe even sink altogether. Every browser has a cache which collects data on every site visited as you navigate the Web. Unfortunately, even a few hours of navigation can crowd your cache and consume your system's memory -- memory that is badly needed when you're running programs, or downloading . . . or editing your web site.
That's why it's a good idea to make a habit of clearing your browser's cache. It's easy, it takes a matter of seconds, and it's fun! (Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating about the "fun." It is a nice feeling to know that you're making full use of your computer's memory, however)
Below are some instructions for clearing the cache of the most common types of Web browsers. Please choose the one for your browser and take a minute to follow these steps.
*INTERNET EXPLORER 5.0*
1. From the 'Tools' menu, choose 'Internet Options'. (The Internet Options dialog box should appear.)
2. If the 'General' tab is not already in front, click it.
3. Click the 'Delete Files' button. (The 'Delete Files' dialog box should appear.)
4. Click 'OK', then click 'OK' again.
*INTERNET EXPLORER 4.0*
1. From the 'View' menu, choose 'Internet Options'. (The 'Internet Options' dialog box should appear.)
2. If the 'General' tab is not already in front, click it.
3. Click the 'Delete Files' button. (The 'Delete Files' dialog box should appear.)
4. Click 'OK', then click 'OK' again.
*NETSCAPE 3*
1. Click the Netscape 'Options' menu.
2. Select 'Network Preferences'.
3. Click the 'Clear Memory Cache' and 'Clear Disk Cache' buttons.
*NETSCAPE 4*
1. From the 'Edit' menu, choose 'Preferences'. (A dialog box should appear.)
2. In the menu on the left side of the dialog box, double-click the word 'Advanced'. (A list of options should appear.)
3. From the list of options, click the word 'Cache'.
4. On the right side of the dialog box, click the 'Clear Memory Cache' button, and then click 'OK'.
5. Click the 'Clear Disk Cache' button, and then click 'OK'.
6. Click the 'OK' button at the bottom of the window.
*AOL*
1. In your AOL browser, click the 'My AOL' menu and choose 'Preferences'. (A window full of icons should appear.)
2. Double-click the 'www' icon. (A new window should appear.)
3. Click the 'Delete files' button. (A dialog box should appear asking if you want to delete all files.)
Please try logging into your account once again to see if you notice any improvement.
4. Click the 'OK' button.
