18 Alerts

1. Is there a Mac or Linux version?
   
2. I have downloaded the RSS Reader but it is not running. What's going wrong?
   
3. What is the right-click menu? How do I access it, and what is it for?
   
4. How do I access the RSS Reader's settings?
   
5. I have installed the RSS Reader correctly, why haven't I received any messages?
   
6. I can't find the icon in the system tray anymore. Where has it gone?
   
7. My personal firewall flagged the fact that the RSS Reader is trying to connect to the Internet. Why?
   
8. Ever since installing Service Pack 2 on Windows XP, my RSS Reader has stopped displaying messages. How do I get it working again?
   
9. The RSS Reader is causing my computer to dial up to the Internet without me knowing. How do I stop this from happening?
   
10. What port does the RSS Reader use to access the Internet?
    
11. Does the RSS Reader contain adware, spyware or viruses? Are you uploading my personal information without my knowledge/consent?
    
12. Is the RSS Reader using a lot of system resources?
    
13. When I click on a link sent to me by the RSS Reader, nothing happens. Why?
    
14. Why does my RSS Reader character/icon hide itself after a few minutes even if I don't touch it?
    
15. Why doesn't the "send to a friend" function work?
    
16. I want to uninstall the RSS Reader, how do I do that?
    
    

1. Is there a Mac or Linux version?
   
   Unfortunately not. Presently we are concentrating on the development of the Windows version of the software. However, we do plan to port the software over in the future.
   
   
2. I have downloaded the RSS Reader but it is not running. What's going wrong?
   
   The program that is downloaded is in fact the RSS Reader application installer, which must be run to install the application. Make sure you download this file to a memorable place (such as "Desktop" or "My Documents"). Once downloaded, double-click the file and follow the on screen instructions to install the RSS Reader.
   
   
3. What is the right-click menu? How do I access it, and what is it for?
   
   Using the right-click menu, you can access all of the available functions of the RSS Reader. To access the right-click menu, right-click either the icon located in the system tray (next to your clock), or the ticker/message console.
   
   
4. How do I access the RSS Reader's settings?
   
   From the right-click menu choose "Options". This could be called one of the following:
   
5. I have installed the RSS Reader correctly, why haven't I received any messages?
   
   There are a number of reasons why this may be happening:
   • You could be accessing the Internet through a Proxy Server. By default the RSS Reader application will use the same settings as Internet Explorer, so if you can access the Internet through the web browser, your Skinkers application should too. You may however need to manually enter the relevant details into the RSS Reader application (Please check with your Network Administrator or ISP to find out if this is the case). To do this, follow these steps:
     1. Access the RSS Reader settings from the right click menu.
     2. Click on the "Proxy Settings" tab.
     3. Check "Use Proxy".
     4. Enter the details provided by your Network Administrator or ISP.
     5. Click "OK" or "apply" to save your settings.
     Your the RSS Reader, like your web browser, should now connect to the net through the Proxy Server and you should be able to receive messages.
   • You may not have any feeds checked.
   
   
6. I can't find the icon in the system tray anymore. Where has it gone?
   
   There are 2 possible reasons why the RSS Reader icon may have disappeared from the system tray:
   • Windows XP has hidden it. To retrieve it, simply click the "<<" button in the system tray.
   • "explorer.exe" has crashed and not correctly restored the icon. the RSS Reader IS STILL RUNNING. To retrieve the icon, you will need to stop the application and restart it. Windows 2000/XP users should follow these steps:
     1. Hold down "CTRL + ALT + DEL".
     2. In the resulting window, click the "Task Manager" button (in Windows XP Home Edition, you will automatically be taken to the Task Manager)
     3. The Windows Task Manager will appear. Click the "Processes" tab.
     4. Click the column title named "Image Name" to alphabetically order the processes.
     5. You must find the process related to your the RSS Reader. This is commonly called "skinkers.exe", but may be named according to the application. e.g. the BBC Comedy Robot uses a process called "bbccomedy.exe".
     6. Once you have found the process, simply highlight it and click "End Process". A warning will appear and you should click "Yes".
     7. Now the RSS Reader has been stopped, you can relaunch it from the Windows Start Menu.
   
   
7. My personal firewall flagged the fact that the RSS Reader is trying to connect to the Internet. Why?
   
   The RSS Reader application needs to contact the Internet occasionally to see if there are any messages it needs to display. The application will also send back anonymous statistics (such as the number of clicks on a particular link) to our server. These are the only reasons why the RSS Reader needs to access the Internet so you should allow it through your firewall.
   
   
8. Ever since installing Service Pack 2 on Windows XP, my RSS Reader has stopped displaying messages. How do I get it working again?
   
   Service Pack 2 introduces a Microsoft's new Security Center, which includes a personal firewall (Windows Firewall), stopping malicious applications from accessing the Internet. Sometimes Windows Firewall will also stop your RSS Reader from accessing the Internet to retrieve messages. To restore it's permissions follow these steps:
   1. From the Windows Start Menu, choose "Control Panel" (or "Settings > Control Panel if using the "Classic Start Menu").
   2. Click the icon named "Security Center".
   3. In the resulting window, click the "Windows Firewall" link.
   4. The Windows Firewall settings panel will appear. From here choose the "Exceptions" tab.
   5. Click the "Add Program..."
   6. In the following list find the RSS Reader application you are running, highlight it and click "OK"
   7. Click OK again, close the Security Center and close Control Panel.
   
   
   
9. The RSS Reader application is causing my computer to dial up to the Internet without me knowing. How do I stop this from happening?
   
   There is an easy way to stop your computer from trying to automatically establish a connection:
   1. From the Windows Start Menu, choose "Control Panel" (or "Settings > Control Panel if using the "Classic Start Menu").
   2. Select "Network and Internet Connections > Internet Options" (or "Internet Properties" if using a Windows version earlier than XP).
   3. Click the Connections tab, then click the circle beside "Never dial a connection".
   4. Click OK to save and close the window.
   After you've done this, to go online simply click on your dial up connection. It is recommended you do this as otherwise you could allow other software applications to automatically dial up for malicious purposes.
   
   
10. What port does the RSS Reader use to access the Internet?
    
    Port 80
    
    
11. Does the RSS Reader contain adware, spyware or viruses? Are you uploading my personal information without my knowledge/consent?
    
    No, the RSS Reader application does not contain any type of malware. The only information the application uploads are anonymous statistics. Please see our Privacy Policy for details.
    
    
12. Is the RSS Reader application using a lot of system resources?
    
    No. The application uses very little system memory (usually between 5 and 10 megabytes), its CPU usage is very low and the hard disk space used will rarely exceed 20 megabytes.
    
    
13. When I click on a link sent to me by the RSS Reader, nothing happens. Why?
    
    Some users, AOL users in particular, may have an unsupported browser associated with links or not have one set up at all. Follow these steps to fix this issue:
    1. From the Windows Start Menu, choose "Control Panel" (or "Settings > Control Panel if using the "Classic Start Menu" or a Windows version earlier than XP).
    2. Select "Network and Internet Connections > Internet Options" (or "Internet Properties" if using a Windows version earlier than XP).
    3. On that window, select the "Programs" tab.
    4. Make sure you tick the box next to "Internet Explorer should check to see whether it is the default browser".
    5. Start Internet Explorer and choose "Yes".
    6. (If using another browser such as Mozilla, Netscape, Firefox or Opera please refer to the relevent help section in those applications to set them as the default browser).
    
    
    
14. Why doesn't the "send to a friend" function work?
    
    Unfortunately, the send to a friend function is not supported by certain email clients, such as AOL and Lotus Notes.
    
    
15. I want to uninstall the RSS Reader, how do I do that?
    
    There are 2 ways to uninstall the RSS Reader application.
    1. From Windows Add/Remove Programs, located in the Control Panel (please consult Windows help for information on how to do this).
    2. From the Start Menu. When it is installed, the RSS Reader application creates an uninstall icon in its program group in the Start Menu. Clicking this will start the uninstallation process.