Lani,
If you are using the Apple Safari browser, and switching windows within that browser is not working for you, you could add Firefox as an additional browser
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macos...lafirefox.html
Then you should be able to toggle back and forth (maximizing and minimizing the browser windows as you wish) and hopefully not lose any info. I do this all the time on my Mac. I don't know if the Operating System no. would make a difference -- I have OS X (panther).)We can't let you get stymied by a technology glitch -- your input is too valuable!