Friend don't let friends use internet explorer.
Try another browser

I guess I really worry about privacy stuff, and don't trust google.

A company which makes all of its money from selling information about your browsing habits, and then gives you free browsing software - I don't think so!

Microsoft is not exactly anyone's friend either, but at least they make money by selling you stuff, so you have some power in the relationship.

There is no such thing as a free lunch.

The point of my initial post was not to go on a rant against google though. I was hoping someone might be able to tell me where my settings are going wrong

(interestingly I am writing this using google chrome, and the spellchecker doesn't like "google". Perhaps it's a microsoft dictionary)

GreenPat said..
^^ So why are you on Chrome and not Firefox?

following the advice from westozwind and captain loopy

laurie said..

Weird - I tried IE and all looks fine, but that's the thing with IE .. they change so much between versions that each version renders a little differently, and web developers end up chasing their tale trying to get it to work with all versions of IE, and other browsers.

Chrome / Firefox are my preferred browsers...

Must drive you crazy. been happening for about 3 months. Thanks anyway