Foolproof instructions for getting this site to work on your browser;

The site should look like this
You turn the globe on the left;
the place, time, pictures, video & news change depending on where you go.
Click a video pic on the right & the video plays in a player that opens in the middle.
Click 'news' to see up to the minute news instead of video.
Click the different words (top right) to choose different news or video categories.
Tips:
Sometimes the video-stream from google slows down so the video stops. When this happens, pull the bar on the player backwards & let it go again. This way it can catch up.
Set the clock on your computer so it tells the right time.
Drag the globe with the right mouse button held down for fine control of where you are.
There are three things you need enabled in your browser to see an interactive site like this one: javascript, flash and java.
Contrary to the sorts of warnings you get, these things have very little to do with 'security'.
Follow the instructions below to enable this site and open up your browser to the best of the web.

Javascript

  • Internet Explorer (6.0) and up
    • Select 'Tools' from the top menu
    • Choose 'Internet Options'
    • Click on the 'Security' tab
    • Click on 'Custom Level'
    • Scroll down until you see section labled 'Scripting'
    • Under 'Active Scripting', select 'Enable' and click OK
  • Netscape Navigator (4.8)
    • Select 'Edit' from the top menu
    • Choose 'Preferences'
    • Choose 'Advanced'
    • Choose 'Scripts & Plugins'
    • Select the 'Enable JavaScript' checkbox and click OK
  • Mozilla Firefox (1.0)
    • Select 'Tools' from the top menu
    • Choose 'Options'
    • Choose 'Web Features' from the left navigation
    • Select the checkbox next to 'Enable JavaScript' and click OK
  • Mozilla Firefox (1.5) and up
    • Select 'Tools' from the top menu
    • Choose 'Options'
    • Choose 'Content' from the top navigation
    • Select the checkbox next to 'Enable JavaScript' and click OK
  • Apple Safari (1.0)
    • Select 'Safari' from the top menu
    • Choose 'Preferences'
    • Choose 'Security'
    • Select the checkbox next to 'Enable JavaScript'

Flash Player

  • if not installed or you need an uptodate version go and download flash player
  • NB. don't download Yahoo toolbar as well (uncheck that box), because this can intefere with Java.
  • Some people find that you need Javascript (see above) enabled before you can complete the flash download process.

Java

1) if you can drag the globe about, but the dates and places don't change, some java is installed and working
  • java and the globe can take a short while to load the first time you use it, so drag it and just wait a moment
  • if it still doesn't work, your java may be out of date
2) in any case, test your computer for Java Runtime Environment (JRE) by clicking here
  • if it's not installed or you need an uptodate version, then get it here
  • follow the instructions and your browser will be able to do amazing new things without further fiddling about
3) if that's all fine, but things are still not working, then make sure your browser is configured to use this JRE
  • From the Start button of Windows, select Settings, then Control Panel to open the Control Panel. You should see the Java Coffee Cup logo icon in the Control Panel.
  • (If you do not see the coffee cup icon in the Windows Control Panel, you do not have the latest version of the JRE installed on your computer - go back to step 2).
  • Double-click the icon to open the Java Control Panel.
  • In the Java Control Panel, click the Advanced tab.
  • Under Settings, click on the + icon against \ tag support.
  • Make sure the box next to Internet Explorer, Netscape, or Mozilla is checked.
  • If it is not checked, click the checkbox to enable the JRE for your Web browser.
  • Click Apply.
4) if that's all fine, but things are still not working, then you have to enable the JRE within your particular browser
  • Internet Explorer 4.x and Up
    • Click "Tools" --> "Internet Options"
    • Select the Advanced Tab, and scroll down to "Java (Sun)"
    • Check the box next to the "Use Java 2" version
    • Next, select the Security Tab, and select the "Custom Level" button
    • Scroll down to "Scripting of Java applets"
    • Make sure the "Enable" radio button is checked.
    • Click OK to save your preference.
  • Mozilla 1.x
    • From the menu bar, choose Edit --> Preferences
    • Select the Advanced category
    • Check the box labeled "Enable Java"
    • Click OK to save your preference.
  • Netscape 7.x
    • From the menu bar, choose Edit --> Preferences
    • Select the Advanced category
    • Check the box labeled "Enable Java"
    • Click OK to save your preference.
  • Netscape 4.x
    • From the menu bar, choose Edit --> Preferences
    • Select the Advanced category
    • Select "Certificates"
    • Check the box labeled "Enable Java"
    • Check the box labeled "Enable Java Plug-in"
    • Click OK to save your preference.
  • Firefox 0.8 and Up
    • Start Mozilla Firefox browser or restart it if it is already running.
    • Select Tools > Options.
    • Dialog box: Options
    • Click Web Features > Select Enable Java
  • AOL 3.x and Up
    • Please refer to our Help page on AOL Issues with Java software.
  • Opera 4.x and Up
    • Opera for Windows does not use the Sun JRE, but an embedded version already inside the Opera Web browser.
    • Opera for other platforms may support Java software through the use of the Sun JRE. Please consult your Opera platform documentation.
5) Congratulations (!), everything should be ok now.

If it's not, you might consider turning off some of the browser toolbars and plugins that are notorious for crippling your browser!
(P.S. if you'd like it, you can get the java globe source here)