Why Join Backflip?
Adding, Copying, Deleting
What happens if I add this folder to my Backflip directory?
Can I add pages to this shared folder if I don't own it?
Email Updates
How do I receive email updates about my friend's folder?
Do I have to join Backflip? I only want email updates.
Making Comments (Speaking Your Mind)
How do I say something about a folder?
Who can say something about this folder?
Where do I find my comments as well as everyone else's?
Backflip Partners
Where's the partner site (e.g., Red Herring, SF Gate, Upside) I backflipped?
What's the relationship between Backflip and its partners (e.g., Red Herring, SF Gate, Upside...)?
Browser/Internet Topics
What browsers will Backflip work with?
- Netscape Navigator or Communicator: 4.0 and higher
- Microsoft Internet Explorer (MSIE): 4.0 and higher
What is a "cookie"?
Cookies make it easy and effortless for you to sign in to password protected Web sites from your computer. A cookie is information that a Web site puts on your hard disk so that it can remember something about you at alater time. Web users must agree to let cookies be saved for them, but, in general, it helps Web sites to serve users better. For more information on this and other internet terms try www.whatis.com.
How do I enable JavaScript?
If you're using an IE or Netscape browser version 4.0 or higher, you must ensure JavaScript is enabled. To determine your browser version, go to your browser's Help menu and select "About..."
Here's how you enable JavaScript:
Netscape Users
- From the [Edit] menu, select "Preferences."
- Select the Advanced category on the right side.
- Make sure "Enable JavaScript" is checked in this main Advanced view.
- Select OK and you're done!
Internet Explorer Users
- From the Tools menu, select "Internet Options."
- Select the Security tab.
- With the "Internet" globe highlighted, click Custom Level.
- Scroll down to Scripting. Beneath Active Scripting, select Enable.
- Select OK.
- If you're on a local network at work, we suggest going back to Step 3, highlight the "Local Intranet" icon and continuing with the same instructions.
Backflip utilizes this widely used programming language to provide cool features. In particular, we developed our service with the latest version of JavaScript, version 1.2. If you're using an old browser version, such as versions of Internet Explorer or Netscape before 4.0, you must upgrade to take full advantage of our features. Fortunately, free upgrades are commonly available from the Microsoft and Netscape web sites.
Finding Pages
Where does search look?
Searching allows you to find specific Web pages by using words or phrases contained in your Backflip directory. You can search for words in the Title, Description, and Location fields of your pages. Note: Currently our search engine is down.
The Backflip It! Button
What is 'backflipping' and when should I do it?
You're backflipping any time you add a page to Backflip. The easiest way is to use the Backflip It! button on your toolbar. If you haven't added the Backflip It! button, click here. You should backflip any page you find useful. That way you can quickly find in your Backflip directory or by using a simple search!
Can others use my Backflip It! button?
If you are currently signed in to Backflip on a computer, then the Backflip It! button on that computer only will backflip pages into your account. If you are signed out on that computer, another Backflip member may sign in and use the button. That way multiple users can share one button.
Do I need to be signed into Backflip, if I want to backflip?
No. As long as you have the Backflip It! button on your browser toolbar, click it and Backflip will prompt you if you are not already signed in.
Can I backflip pages that are on my local computer or behind a corporate firewall?
Yes. Backflip will treat these pages the same as others on the Web. However, since Backflip does not create actual copies of backflipped pages, you can only access local files from the computer they are on. Files behind a corporate firewall are only accessible within the firewall. If you attempt to access a backflipped page on another machine you will receive a simple error.
Adding Bookmarks and Favorites
Can I upload Bookmarks / Favorites from multiple computers?
Yes! This is another benefit of using Backflip. For example, you can upload Bookmarks from your home computer in Netscape then upload Favorites from Internet Explorer from work. Now you have one place to keep this information.
What happens to my Bookmarks / Favorites after I add them to Backflip?
Nothing. Your Bookmarks or Favorites are unchanged.
Membership and Sign In
How do I sign in remotely?
Since Backflip is a Web site, you can sign in from any computer. Connect to the Internet and go to http://www.backflip.com/. Enter your user name and password and click Sign In.
How often do I need to sign in to Backflip?
Only once per session! If you're surfing around the Web and you click your Backflip It! button to add a new page, Backflip will prompt you to sign in. After that instance of signing in, you won't need to for the rest of your session.
What's the difference between a Name and a User Name?
Most people like to be addressed by their real name. That's what Name is for. The User Name is a name used to sign in to computer systems.
How much does Backflip cost?
It's free! There is no cost to join and absolutely no usage fees. There's no catch!
Security and Privacy
What is your Privacy policy?
Click here to see our full privacy statement.
Who sees the information in My Account?
Any information held in your Profile is held in the strictest confidence. Please refer to our Privacy Policy for more details.
Show & Tell
Intro to Show & Tell
What's Show & Tell?
It's the easiest way to share Web pages and collaborate with your friends. Update your collection of Web pages and your friends instantly see the changes. You can instantly see changes they make. It's also a place to comment, share opinions and ideas about what you find interesting on the Web.
What's a shared folder?
It's a collection of Web pages that that a group of people can look at, make comments about and contribute to. The folder's owner is the person who originally sends the folder to her/his friends.
Why Join Backflip?
For one thing, it's free. If your friend gives you permission, you'll be able to add to this collection of Web pages. And that's just the start. You'll easily save what's interesting to you on the Web and create a private search engine. You'll access it from any computer. And you can choose which stuff you want to share as well as the stuff you want to keep private. Check out all the cool things you'll do.
Adding, Copying, Deleting
What happens if I add a folder to my Backflip directory?
You'll have instant access to lots of new stuff. You'll see it at the bottom of your home page. You'll be able to search its contents. If the owner allows others to contribute, you'll be able to add Web pages to it.
Can I add pages to this shared folder if I don't own it?
Yes, as long as the owner allows friends to contribute. Click the folder and look below the folder's Name. You'll see, "You can add pages to this folder."
How do I receive email updates about my friend's folder?
You automatically receive them! Each time someone adds new pages to the shared folder, you'll get an email to keep you in touch with all the new stuff. If you don't want updates, click the folder, then click [Edit] and uncheck Send me updates about this folder. Select Save Changes. Or, if you haven't added the folder to your Backflip directory, uncheck send me updates about this folder.
Do I have to join Backflip? I only want email updates.
Nope. You don't have to join. Just make sure you've selected Send me updates about this folder.
Making Comments (Speaking Your Mind)
How do I say something about this folder?
Click the folder to see its contents. To the right you may type your comments in the box beneath "I've got something to say" or "Post my comments" and click post comments.
Who can say something about this folder?
Anyone who received it from the owner as well as the owner.
Where do I find my comments as well as everyone else's?
After you share a folder, click the folder and look in the Show & Tell section on the right side of your screen. Just click More Comments. There they are!
Backflip Partners
Where's the partner site (e.g., Red Herring, Upside, SF Gate) I backflipped?
After you backflipped a page from a partner site, we filed it in your "Everything Else" folder.
What's the relationship between Backflip and its partners (e.g., Red Herring, SF Gate, Upside...)?
Backflip provides a free, simple way for you to quickly save pages everywhere around the Web -- including partner sites. By backflipping a Web page, you can keep it in your personal directory and instantly find it again. You'll only need to register at Backflip one time! You may continue to click the Backflip link on a partner site when you want to save pages from that partner site. Additionally, you'll be able to use the Backflip It! button -- which you put on your browser in the joining process -- from anyplace on the Web.
