This site is as you can see graphically intensive. It also runs on a database with a pre-processed web language called PHP. The first time you enter the site it may seem slow to load until your browser has properly cached all the content for use. Using the default settings for Internet Explorer will result in the page being checked every new visit (browser closed and opened again) and this may also take a little more time than usual. Typically after the site has been cached you can move relatively quickly through the site without hesitation. It by default is also going to be slower to load than most other sites because it has to 'pre-process' database queries before it serves you up the page. I have taken the initiative to optimize PHP by using the Zend Optimizer so that the PHP processing is done much faster than usual.

The reason we do not fully support browsers other than Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5+ is because other browsers (Netscape, Mozilla, Opera etc.) do not display or support some or all of the features in use by JRRTolkien.net. Since we target a wide range of people by running a community based site we lean toward supporting the most popular platform for viewing web sites. Currently the most popular platform is Microsoft Internet Explorer. Aside from this the other browsers do not display some of the enhanced features in use by JRRTolkien.net

I have custom designed this site to take advantage of Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5+. I have tested it with other browsers such as Netscape, Mozilla and Konqueror only to find that they just don't have the support for some of the cooler features in use by this site. While I would love to be able to support all platforms equally, I just simply do not have the time to maintain the site and keep up with other browsers on a release to release basis. Pretty much any OS that is running MSIE 5.5+ can view this site the way it was intended to be viewed. Netscape, Mozilla, Opera etc. view the site just fine with the exception of font sizes, styles and image placement on specific pages.

Basically this is how registration occurs:

The dragon you see flying around from time to time is a character from an old story I wrote. He is what we call a PseudoDragon. You'll see him flying around from time to time on the site. If he gets in your way just pick him up and toss him!

Grond is the massive battering ram used to destroy Minas Tirith's Great Gate during the Battle of the Pelennor. It took its name from the ancient weapon of Morgoth: Grond, the Hammer of the Underworld. Grond is Morgoth's mighty mace that he bore when he slew Fingolfin before the doors of Angband. Presumably, but not certainly, destroyed in the War of Wrath at the end of the First Age. Also according to The Etymologies (The History of Middle-earth Volume 5, The Lost Road and Other Writings III The Etymologies), where the word is associated with a root runda meaning 'rough piece of wood'.

I have had MANY requests for the Postnuke theme I created for JRRTolkien.net. I appreciate all of the comments and praise I have recieved regarding this theme as well. I regret to inform the public that the theme will not be released as it employs some heavy modifications to many different areas of the site. I still plan to release a templated set of different colored themes using the same basic layout of the site at some point in the future. As far as a release date is concerned all I can say is "When it's done".