Browsers
Browsers

WHAT IS A WEB BROWSERS?

A web browser is a program we can run on our computer so we can view information stored on the World Wide Web. A browser allows us to view web pages on the Internet.

There are two main browsers in common use on the web: Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator.
Internet
Explorer
Netscape
Navigator

Internet Explorer is the "chosen" browser for NISD. You may use either browser on school computers.

Both browsers have a set of tools that help you navigate around your web pages. As you can see, they are very similar.

Internet Explorer

 

Netscape Navigator

 

To start Internet Explorer, look for this icon on your desktop and double-click.

You should see a window similar to the one below....

There are two ways to determine if your page has loaded to your computer from the Internet:

"Done" appears at the bottom of the screen
The Explorer logo in the upper right corner of your screen is no longer rotating.

WHAT IS A HOME PAGE?

A home page is the first screen that appears when you link to a site. It is the welcoming message, or opening statement of a site.

WHAT DO I CLICK?

When a link is clicked, it will take you to another page at the same site OR to a completely different site in another part of the Web. A link can be a word or words or graphics. Text links will sometimes appear in a different color from the other text and is usually underlined. On a graphic link, the mouse pointer will turn into a hand.

TIP: When your mouse pointer turns into a hand, you have found a link (graphic or text).

HOW DO WE GO FORWARD AND BACKWARD BETWEEN LINKED PAGES?

Click the BACK icon on the Explorer toolbar. Each BACK click moves you backward one screen at a time.

Click the FORWARD icon on the Explorer toolbar. Each FORWARD click moves you forward one screen at a time.

HOW DO WE GO HOME QUICKLY?

Click the HOME icon on the Explorer toolbar to return to the opening page.

PRACTICE: One of the pictures below is a link. Find the link and explore the new Web page. Click the BACK button on the toolbar until you return to this page.

PRACTICE: Use the BACK icon and return to the first screen. Click on the FORWARD icon until it turns a light gray. This light gray color indicates there are no more pages that you have visited.