Loading-Text Options             

While an applet downloads to the user's system to be shown on the web page, the browser displays a blank area (usually gray or white) where the applet should appear. (We can't change that, of course: the applet can't cover that area with something more attractive until it has downloaded and started running!)

Next, the applet has to read its parameters, and load any images, sounds or text files it uses. While this happens, the applet displays the words Loading [applet name]... in green text on a black background. The five parameters described below let you choose whether this should happen, and (if it should) select your own colors and text.

ShowLoad
 If you don't want any loading-text to be displayed, include the parameter <param name=ShowLoad value=no>. The four parameters below will be ignored if they are included, and nothing will be displayed until the applet is ready to run. If you change your mind, you must remove this parameter from the page - just changing the 'no' to 'yes' will not work.

LoadBgColor
 This sets the background color of the applet area while the loading-text is displayed. The default is 000000 (black).

LoadTextColor
 This sets the text color of the loading-text. The default is 00FF00 (bright green).

LoadText1
LoadText2
 The loading-text may span up to two lines. These lines are fixed in position at the top-left of the applet. Our own preset text usually uses only one line and the second parameter is blank. (For applets with long names, the first parameter defaults to 'Loading' and the second parameter contains the applet name.) You can choose your own text for either line like this:

<param name=LoadText1 value="Loading menu">
<param name=LoadText2 value="Please wait...">
If one line should be blank, you can use value="" to prevent any default text being displayed. And if you just want to set the background color of the applet without displaying any text, set both of the parameters to value="".

Three Important Notes
1. Using the loading-text options does not slow down the loading of the applet (well, perhaps by a few milliseconds!). They just fill the browser space while the applet finishes setting itself up.

2. You may not always see the loading-text displayed. If the applet has nothing to download, or it can load images and other files from your cache, its setup time will be very short and the applet itself can be shown almost immediately.

3. Please make sure the applet is wide enough to display your chosen LoadText1/LoadText2, and tall enough to show both lines (if you include text in both parameters).




























.