Because Smartspace is set up to be as fast and efficient as possible, it often instructs you browser to save local versions of files to

• Ensure page load times are as fast as possible
• Help reduce server loads
• Serve and somtimes create files.

As a result, there are some times that the local version of a file becomes out of date.

In most cases Smartspace changes the names of files to ensure that the latest version of special files, such as CSS (style sheet)  and script (Javascript) files, are served.

There are times however that users (especially site administrators) need to specifically get the latest version of a file.

File Types

Smartspace instructs the browser to hold local versions of the following file types:

• Image files
  • .jpg and .jpeg
  • .png
  • .gif
• Site control files
  • .css files (stylesheets which affect how your site looks)
  • .js files (scripting files which affects how your site works)
• Content Files
  • .pdf (static content files)

How to Clear Your Cache

How to get the latest file versions

Different browsers allow the cleariing of the cache in different ways and use different terminology in describing these files. Here is how each common browser handles these cached files.

In some instances, it is enough simply to click the Refresh or Reload button at the top of the browser to get the latest version of the file on the next viewing. This will usually only reload the elments that are on that one page.

Otherwise use the following instructions to clear the cache more thoroughly.

Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer calls these files Temporary Internet Files

To clear the files, go through the following process:

• Go to Tools > Internet Options > General (tab) > Delete (button)
• Tick the Temporary Internet FIles box
• You may tick the Save Favourites Website Data box as well depending on the file (you may need to experiment with this setting)
• Make sure all other boxes are unticked
• Click Delete >  OK

Firefox

Firefox call these files Cache files

To clear these files go through the following process:

• Go to Options (or Tools) > Options > Privacy > Clear Your Recent History
• Select Time Range To Clear : Everything (usually)
• Tick the Cache box and untick all others
• Click Clear Now > OK

Chrome

Chrome call these files Cache files

To clear these files go though the following process:

• Go to Customise and Control Google Chrome (spanner) > Tools > Clear Browsing Data
• Select The Beginning Of Time from the time field and Tick Empty The Cache box and untick all others
• Click Clear Browsing Data then close the tab that had opened up

Safari

Safari calls these files Cache files

To clear these files in Safari go through the following process:

• Go to Settings (cog) > Reset Safari
• Tick the Empty The Cache box and untick all others
• Click Reset

Now, when you next view the file you are wanting the latest vesion of, it should be availble.

Click here to get extra info on clearing a browser cache.