To proceed directly to ~
~ please the Title Link above.
Windows-based PC's:
Pentium III or + equivalent processor.
Firefox Browsers best, BUT require the "IE Tab", See FAQs.
Internet Explorer 5.5 & 6.0 Browsers okay.
IE 7 has not been debugged - - Like to REMOVE IT?
Macintosh:
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor ~ ~ Safari Browser.
1024 x 768 Screen Resolution / 17" Monitor.
(Browser should auto-size to same dimensions.)
Browser TEXT SIZE should be set to MEDIUM.
Tools *, URL, & Status Bar display okay.
( *Small Icons selected on toolbars )
Hide add'l Search and / or other Accessory Bars.
Sound should be ON.
DSL or + Broadband REQUIRED.
Your Browser's View should appear similar to this:
~ with the bottom PUMPKIN-BAR visible in window.
~ back ~
More Info
~ forward ~
( * ) Attempting to experience this entertainment without the requirements and connection-speed
recommended may only frustrate many viewers.
This site is designed to display on a 17" monitor at 1024x768 resolution.
It may not display correctly in other screen resolutions, and will best display in IE 5.5 & + browsers,
and in FireFox browsers with the "IE Tab" add-on (get it HERE).
Portions of this site will now display in the Safari Browser for Windows .
N.B.: Due to the GIF image display "bugs" in Internet Explorer 7, WE DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS BROWSER YET.
This site will display faster and more enjoyably the more its basic elements are cached,
so the more often you visit and explore, the better your entertainment experience will be.
Apple Macintosh Users, please take particular note: 
This site makes extensive use of ANIMATED TABLE BACKGROUNDS and MULTIPLE INTERACTIVE SOUND ELEMENTS
which will not function properly on most Macintosh computers at present.
We have previewed this entertainment on pre-'06 Mac OSX systems in a variety of browsers,
none of which will reliably display the full playability available on Windows-based PIII+ PCs in IE 5.5+
We are however pleased to note that the Intel Core 2 Duo Processor Macintosh
has overcome most of these compatibility issues.
PRIVACY INFO
Original sm Internet Entertainments Created & Produced by Johnny Curtis
Web Presentation created by
   
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In October 2006, Microsoft released "Internet Explorer 7", actually forcing it on Windows users via "Automatic Updates". This browser will not allow many animated .gifs to "preload" in advance of viewing, and grossly interferes with their proper display. We have done our best to install "conditional tags" which will help prevent IE7 from corrupting our artwork, but will still not allow the artwork to preload. This slows down and damages our entertainment presentations, because images (which will preload normally in IE6) must now be called from the server, adding to our Visitors' waiting time, impeding our storytelling flow, and marring a great deal of our site's former functionality.
Installing these IE7 conditional tags sitewide has forced us to incur unexpected and unfair expense, which we will very possibly have to endure again when the geniuses who released this beta-fest browser finally fix it properly, and we have to un-install all these tags at a later date. Microsoft is entirely unforthcoming about when (and indeed if) that may occur.
We are stunned and dismayed that Microsoft's IE7 Development Staff is apparently unable to differentiate between a normal, straightforward .gif animation, and a coded security threat.
We are further aggrieved that Microsoft, when contacted, shows no regard whatsoever for the tremendous expense and labor which has gone into the creation of our (and others') animated artwork. They have, by inability or inconsideration -- and certainly by an aloof lack of concern -- in essence denied small businesses such as ours the democratic platform that Internet Explorer had, until the release of IE7, previously allowed. Our resources are allocated foremostly to the creation of content, not the support of an IT staff on a par with major corporations.
Repeated attempts to discuss this problem in ernest with Microsoft have been unsuccessful.

It would seem that Mr. Gates, if he is aware of this browser's harmful aspects, is unmoved when independent artists are economically disadvantaged by the forced dispersal of a browser which should have been made backward-compatible before its release. We ask no favors, just predictable reliability, to prevent the field from being unfairly seized by the "majors", which have the technical staff and resources to absorb the expense of sitewide damage control. Does Mr. Gates indeed care if the independent's vision and voice are excluded? He has not directed his company to indicate so. As a creative small business commited to sharing our unique work with our site's Visitors, we are left with no other choice at present, but to offer the following option.

INTERNET EXPLORER 7 -- UN-INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS:
If you have a Windows PC with the Windows XP Operating System, and Internet Explorer 7
has been automatically installed on your PC computer via Windows Automatic Updates,
AND, ONLY IF YOU WISH TO UN-INSTALL IT (necessary to best view this website),
follow these instructions:
On your Desktop Taskbar, go to:
Start > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs.
Find "Windows Internet Explorer 7", highlight it, and click "Remove".
This will take you back to IE6, which automatically re-installs in place of IE7.
NOTE: User assumes all responsibility for uninstalling the IE 7 browser, and should only do so if comfortable with
using their computer Control Panel's ADD / REMOVE feature. While this is a relatively simple, commonly-used process,
Users who may be unfamiliar with this feature should seek advice and assistance
from someone familiar with this procedure.
CLICK HERE TO BLOCK IE 7 AUTOMATIC UPDATE INSTALL
( link to Microsoft's IE7 Blocker Toolkit )
or, CLICK BELOW to access a nifty, user-friendly Personal or Admin IE7 Blocker:
http://www.intelliadmin.com/blog/2006/10/disable-automatic-install-of-ie-7.html
SECURITY / PRIVACY CONCERNS:
SECURITY / PRIVACY CONCERNS:
PLEASE NOTE: WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THE SAFETY OR PRIVACY OF THE OFF-SITE LINKS INCLUDED HERE.
Visitors choosing to use the "Links Pit" links displayed on this site do so at their own discretion.
COSMIC ASSOCIATES ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONTENT OF OTHER WEBSITES.
Some of these sites may use covert information-gathering or advertising features,
and/or may offer malicious or damaging downloadable content;
and/or may contain content, or promote activities, that certain persons may deem objectionable,
PLEASE USE CAUTION WHEN SURFING THE WEB OUTSIDE OF THIS ONLINE ENTERTAINMENT ENVIRONMENT.
assures our Visitors that we honor your personal privacy throughout this online entertainment experience.
NO PERSONAL INFORMATION WHATSOEVER is covertly gathered ( * ),
nor is any ADVERTISING, SPYWARE, MALWARE, or SCUMWARE of ANY KIND
covertly conveyed to our Visitors.
( * We now utilize Google Analytics, for general statistical information. More info on our FAQ Page, HERE. )
We welcome support through our merchandising: www.cafepress.com/thepumpkinshop , if you would like to help keep "The Patch" green.
IE 7 UN-INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS   PAGE TOP