A web browser allows you to explore the internet. A web browser is a
program that retrieves a requested web page, converts the code it
contains, and displays a readable page. If you do not have a browser
installed on your computer, you cannot view web pages. Microsoft Internet Explorer is the most popular browser because it comes installed with the Windows operating system.
Alternative Web Browsers include:
Browser Tools
Most web browsers feature a Toolbar that contains clickable buttons for commonly used functions. To customize your Toolbar in Internet Explorer, go to the View menu item, then select Toolbars-->Customize. You will be able to add and remove the buttons of your choice.
Buttons include:
- Back: Returns you to the previously viewed web page.
- Forward: Returns you to the page you have backed up from.
- Stop: Stops the browser from loading a page.
- Refresh (or Reload): Downloads the current web page from the server again.
- Home: Returns you to your home page (as specified in your browser preferences.)
- Favorites (or Bookmarks): A list you can create of your favorite websites. Read the article Selecting Your Homepage and Adding Favorites for instructions.
- History: Lists all the websites you have visited recently.
- Print: Prints the contents of the browser window.
Navigation Basics
There are two ways you can navigate the web:
- You can click on links that appear on web pages, which will take you to other web pages.
- If you know the URL (address) of a web page, you can navigate to it directly. Type the URL into the Address box (or Location box) You do not need to type the http:// because the browser will automatically insert it. Then press the Enter key.
Be careful not to confuse your browser's Address box with a search engine box, such as Yahoo, Google, or AOL. For more information on searching, Read the article Searching the Web.
While waiting for the web page to appear, you may notice the browser
icon moving. That means the browser is loading the page. Once the page
is fully loaded, the browser icon will become static. The icon is
located in the upper-right corner of the browser window.
Another way to tell if the page is still loading is to look at the
status bar, located at the very bottom of the browser window. It will
either say that the page is downloading, or that it is done.
Each time you click a link or enter a URL, your browser requests the page from the web server the page is stored on. If your browser returns a page with a 404 error message, check to be sure the URL typed in the Address bar is absolutely correct. The 404 error message can also mean that the server where that website is hosted is not available or down.
Browser Versions
Most web pages are designed to be viewed in newer versions of
Internet Explorer (because it is the most popular browser.) The same
web page may look different in another browser, or in older versions of
Explorer. It is a good idea to download the latest version of your
browser when it is released. This will ensure your functionality as new
technologies are used in web development. |
