General Loop Questions
         What is a web ring?
         How do I navigate through the Loop?
         What are fractals, anyway?
         How can I create my own fractals?
         Who runs this thing?

Troubleshooting
         Why doesn't the navigation bar work?

Submission Questions
         How do I add a new site to the ring?
         I don't have my own site. May I submit someone else's?
         Why do you need a password?
         Can I change my site information or URL later? How?

Loop Guideline Questions
         Aren't your guidelines a little strict?
         I have more than one fractal site. May I submit both?
         I have a commercial site. Should I submit it?
         I only have a few pictures on my page. Should I submit it?
         I already have three rings on my page. Should I submit it?
         I don't want to put a Loop banner on my entrance page. May I still link to it?
         Why do you harp on bandwidth so much?
         My site isn't in English. Should I submit it?
         I have nice pictures, but I can't make a nice-looking web page! Help!
         My site was rejected for "artistic reasons" — I don't understand!
         Why don't some of the Loop's sites follow the guidelines?

Loop HTML Code Questions
         When should I add the Loop code to my page?
         Which banner should I use?
         May I change the banner if I don't like it?
         May I change the HTML code if I don't like it?
         I put the code in my page, but it looks wrong in my browser. Why?
         I put the code in my page, but it doesn't work when I click it. Why?

Graphical Site Index Questions
         What picture should I choose for the Index?
         How do you make thumbnails for the Index?
         May I make my own thumbnail?
         May I change my thumbnail later?

         Back to the IFL home

General Loop Questions

What is a web ring?
A web ring is essentially a list of sites on the web, tied together with simple navigation tools that allow the user to move through the sites in sequence. By repeatedly moving to the next site in the ring, the user can see all sites and eventually return to their starting location.
         Generally, all the sites in a web ring will share a common theme. In the case of the Infinite Fractal Loop, that theme is fractal art. For more information about web rings in general, and the service provided by WebRing for maintaining them, as well as a large list of rings for your browsing pleasure, please visit WebRing. The IFL doesn't use WebRing, it uses its own server and script, but WebRing has some good information on the ring concept in general.

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Troubleshooting

Why doesn't the navigation bar work?
When you click a button on the navigation bar, your browser first checks with the server here at fractalus.com to find out where it should go; then it actually goes there. If for any reason this server should go down, your browser can't make that first stop, and navigation between sites in the Infinite Fractal Loop won't work.
         A more likely reason for the navigation bar not working is that a site in the Loop isn't available (this is the second stop your browser makes). If an individual site is unavailable, you won't be able to view that site, but you can still use the list here, as well as the Skip and Next 5 buttons, to view other sites in the Loop.
         If you're adding an IFL banner to your page and it's not working, you want this question.

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Submission Questions

I don't have my own site. May I submit someone else's?
Unless you manage the site, you should not submit the site to the Loop. In order for a site to be added to the Loop, changes must be made to the web page, and only the person who manages the web site can do that. (Of course, you could suggest to the site owner that they join the Loop.) :)

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Why do you need a password?
Without a password, there would be no way to allow you to modify your own site's information while keeping everyone else from being able to modify it. Your password gives you access to the IFL management pages so you can change the title, URL, description, and other information about your site.
         The password you provide is only used for this purpose. You should not use your regular internet password, or your bank PIN, or anything like that. Make it a special password just for the Infinite Fractal Loop.

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Can I change my site information or URL later? How?
Yes, you can. Just go to the Loop Member Log-in page, enter your site ID and password, and you can change all of your information.

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Loop Guideline Questions

Aren't your guidelines a little strict?
If you want to look at it that way, yes. I really don't want every fractal gallery on the web to be part of the Infinite Fractal Loop. What I do want is for the IFL to be a showcase of the best there is.
         The guidelines fall into two categories: those intended to keep the Loop focused, and those intended to keep the Loop viewable. They are an attempt to prevent two of the most common problems with web rings—sites that don't relate to the ring's theme, and sites that cause viewers to stop following the ring and go somewhere else.

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I have more than one fractal site. May I submit both?
It depends on the sites. If they're very different from each other, especially if they're on different servers, then this is probably OK. If they're really the same site, then this is probably not OK. I decide these on a case-by-case basis, so if you're not sure, ask me.

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I have a commercial site. Should I submit it?
If the page you want the Loop to link to is primarily about fractal art (even if it's all generated with software you're trying to sell) then that's fine—as long as the advertising isn't overbearing. If you're just linking to a commercial page, then no. Remember, this is about theme. If you just want to advertise a piece of software (even fractal software) then that's not going to get you into the IFL; you need to produce some fractal art.

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I only have a few pictures on my page. Should I submit it?
If your fractals page doesn't have very many fractals, that doesn't mean you can't be in the Loop. I'd rather visit a page with a single splendid image than a page chock-full of mediocre images. Quality, not quantity, is important.
         That said, if you only have a few fractal images buried on a page with tons of other stuff, you're not likely to get into the IFL—because your page really isn't a fractal art theme. If your pictures are good, you might want to consider moving the fractals onto their own page.

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I already have three rings on my page. Should I submit it?
Not unless you remove one of the rings. :)
         If you have content on your page to justify three different rings already, you probably have too much content on the page. You should try splitting up the content a little. Organize! While you're at it, put the fractals on their own page, too. Then you can submit your fractals page to the IFL.

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I don't want to put a Loop banner on my entrance page. May I still link to it?
No. The URL you provide—which the IFL will link to—is the page where the banner must appear. Even I am not exempt from this rule; my own site has an entrance page (actually two), but the IFL doesn't link to it. The IFL links to the gallery page.
         I stress this because people keep submitting sites with entrance pages. This doesn't impress me. In fact, I find it a bit irritating. :) Please don't submit URLs to entrance pages. It's OK to have an entrance page, just don't expec the IFL to link to it. Give me the direct URL to your gallery, and I'll be much happier.

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Why do you harp on bandwidth so much?
Most people still use modems to access the net. With a 28.8K modem (still very common) a page that is 100K can take 45 seconds or more to transfer. Your average person doesn't wait that long before clicking on something else. Yes, the Loop is about graphics and that takes a while to transfer. But you should be kind to your viewers and make browsing as painless as possible.
         Users that get too frustrated with long download times will generally surf somewhere else. I (and the rest of the site owners down the Loop) would prefer they didn't do that—we want them to continue to browse the Loop and see the rest of the sites. So if your page is too heavy, it affects a lot more than just your site.

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My site isn't in English. Should I submit it?
If your site is easy to navigate, even for someone who doesn't understand its language, then this shouldn't be a problem. This means using common conventions for web pages, like clicking a thumbnail image to view a full-size version, using arrow-shaped navigation tools, and so on.
         The best option, though, is to have an English version of your fractal pages. You can either have the IFL link directly to that (preferred) or make sure the link to the English pages is easily visible and is labeled in English. (Using a flag—either a US or UK flag—is also acceptable.)

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I have nice pictures, but I can't make a nice-looking web page! Help!
I realize not everyone is an HTML wizard. However, that doesn't mean you can't make a nice web page. The HTML Writers' Guild has lots of resources to help you learn how to use HTML to create web pages. There are lots of programs that will let you create web pages without knowing any HTML at all; you can try Microsoft's FrontPage Express (found in Internet Explorer 4.0) for free.
         If you're reasonably comfortable with HTML, but want some ideas for great pages, you need only look around the web and see what you can find. The High Five produces a weekly review of excellent web design; be sure to check their back issues to see lots of great ideas. Web Pages That Suck takes a different approach: rather than show you what's good, it shows you what's bad. I recommend both of these sites, even though occasionally they can contradict each other. You'll have to weigh their advice against your own personal taste.
         If you're still stuck, send me mail and let me know what your problem is. I'll see what I can do to help.

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My site was rejected for "artistic reasons"— I don't understand!
This is a difficult and sensitive issue to deal with. I realize that artistic taste is largely personal and I don't mean to imply that you don't find your fractals interesting or beautiful. The bottom line is that someone must make these artistic decisions, and... well... that would be me. Images that use the software's default gradients, don't zoom in or explore interesting areas, nor take advantage of the various artistic capabilities of the software (such as filters, coloring algorithms, layering, etc.) have been done and done and done. There are plenty of galleries out there filled with those kinds of images. Fractals are drawn by software. Fractal art is created by humans using that software, making decisions about color, texture, lighting, composition, etc.
         My suggestion is to spend some time exploring other galleries. Notice how other artists use these design elements. What works? What doesn't? Join a fractal mailing list or monitor the postings of one of the fractal newsgroups and learn from what others have to share. If you'd like some suggestions about which galleries and artists I admire, just ask, and I'll send you a list. You are always welcome to re-submit your site to the IFL at a later date.

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Why don't some of the Loop's sites follow the guidelines?
All of them should. If you've found a site that violates any of the guidelines, or you think shouldn't be part of the Loop for another reason, let me know.

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Loop HTML Code Questions

When should I add the Loop code to my page?
When you get e-mail from me specifically directing you to do so.
         After you fill out the form and submit your site, I will visit your page and make sure it's Loop material. If it is, I will send you mail telling you you've been accepted. You should then add the code to your page and send me mail. Once I have verified that the code is working properly in your web page, I will insert your site into the Loop. Until I insert your site into the Loop, the code won't work completely (so don't panic when the links don't work—that's normal), but I won't insert your site into the Loop until the code is in place.

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Which banner should I use?
You should use the banner that best fits the style of your page. The first banner is designed to be placed on light (preferably white) backgrounds; if you put it over a dark background, the shadow will look odd. For dark backgrounds, the second banner is recommended.
         If you don't like the color of the first two banners, don't forget that there are lots of colors to choose from. Pick the one that best matches the overall color of your page. (Colored banners are available here for banner 1 and here for banner 2.)
         If your page uses neither a very light nor very dark background, you may find that neither of the first two banners looks good. In that case, you should use the third banner, which is a solid rectangle. You may also want the fifth banner, which is designed specifically to take up very little room and have minimal impact on your pages.

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May I change the banner if I don't like it?
I'd rather you didn't. I'd really rather you didn't. If you absolutely insist on changing the banner, please do not alter the layout of the buttons (which are consistent in all the other banners) and please do send me a copy for approval first.
         If all you want to do is adjust the color and saturation of the first two banners, then that's fine, you don't need special permission for that. (I even provide them in twenty-four different colors, for both banner 1 and banner 2, to save you the work.)
         If you're proficient in Photoshop, a multi-layered version of either of the first two banners can be provided on request.

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May I change the HTML code if I don't like it?
I'd really prefer you not change the HTML code. It's been carefully checked and should work in all situations. The layout is consistent between all banners and I'd like it to stay that way.
         If there's a specific reason you want to change the Loop code, please ask me about it.

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I put the code in my page, but it looks wrong in my browser. Why?
It probably didn't copy correctly. Look at the code page again, and compare it to the HTML code in your page. Look carefully, and try to find where they are different.
         If you're using a visual HTML editor, you may have trouble pasting the code directly. I suggest using a plain text editor (like Notepad in Windows) to insert the code. First open your page in your visual editor, and insert some text like "insert IFL banner", where you want to put the IFL banner. Then save the page, and open it in the text editor. Find the text you inserted, and replace it with the Loop's HTML code from the web pages here. Don't forget to put in the site ID number as the directions indicate. Then save your file, and re-open it in your visual editor to make sure it looks OK.
         If you still can't see why it doesn't work, ask me and I'll take a look.

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I put the code in my page, but it doesn't work when I click it. Why?
Remember that it won't work fully until I insert your site into the Loop. However, it should at least generate a response from the server that your site isn't in the Loop. If you don't get that, then make sure YOURSITEID in the code has been replaced by the actual numerical site ID that was provided when you signed up for the Loop. If you've forgotten what that was, ask me.

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Graphical Site Index Questions

What picture should I choose for the Index?
You should choose a picture which represents your style of art, and contains enough large detail to be recognizable at thumbnail size. Images which contain only fine detail are poor choices. For ideas, you can browse the existing graphical index page to see what other people are using.

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How do you make thumbnails for the Index?
Once you tell me which image to use, I will visit your site and collect a full-size (preferably 640x480 or bigger) version of the image. This image is resized so that its largest dimension is 160 pixels, using a custom cubic interpolation filter. A mild sharpen filter is then applied to emphasize fine detail slightly, and the image (which is now 24-bit) is saved as a very high-quality JPEG. Virtually all of the images in the current graphical index were created with this process.

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May I make my own thumbnail?
If you insist. I am careful in producing thumbnails to preserve as much quality as possible while minimizing file size.
         If you wish to submit your own thumbnails, they should be no larger than 160x160, they should be JPEG (not GIF) files no larger than 12K, and preferably near 8K. Name your file NNN.jpg, replacing NNN with your site ID, with leading zeroes as necessary. (For example, if your site ID is 36, you should name your thumbnail 036.jpg.) Send this file to me as an attachment to an e-mail message.

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May I change my thumbnail later?
If you want to change your thumbnail image, you will need to let me know which image you want to use instead. E-mail a URL to the full-size image to me, and let me know you would like your thumbnail changed.

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         Back to the IFL home