Web Browser 101

What is a Web Browser?

A web browser works by using a protocol (or a universal standard format for transmiting data) called HyperText Transport Protocol (HTTP). This explains why the web sites or URLs that you view begin with http://www.___.com. Using HTTP, the web browser makes a request for a text document from a server. This text document is written in a special computer language called HyperText Markup Language (HTML). It is the job of the web browser to interpret the HTML in such a way that the user can view the content.

What are these buttons on my browser?

 

Can I view more than one web site at a time?

Yes! To have multiple browser windows open at the same time, open the "File" menu and select "New Window" (if using Internet Explorer) or "New Navigator Window" (if using Netscape Navigator.)

How do I save web pages onto my computer?

Simply open the "File" menu and select "Save As." Note: Internet Explorer gives you the option of saving the complete page with all the graphics or just the text by itself. You can save the text with Netscape Navigator, but in order to save the graphics, you must manually save each image.

How do I save a web page for future reference?

Many times you will come across a web site that you might want to view later. To bookmark the site in Internet Explorer, open the "Favorites" menu and select "Add to Favorites." In Netscape Communicator, open the Bookmarks menu and select "Add Bookmark."

How can I tell if I have viewed a site already?

There are two quick ways to see if you have already viewed a particular web site:

  • Check the History. Your browser keeps a record of sites you have visited. Internet Explorer has a "History" button on the toolbar. When you click on it, you can scroll down the list of sites to see where you have been. Alternatively, you can click the "Windows" menu and select "History." In Netscape Navigator, open the "Communicator" menu, select "Tools" and then "History."
  • Look at the hyperlinks. In the Preferences section of your browser, you have the option of controlling the color of visited/unvisited links. The standard/default colors are blue hyperlinks for sites that have never been viewed and purple hyperlinks for sites that have previously been viewed. Individual web sites might set their own set of colors for a visited/unvisited site (different from the standard colors), but the preferences of your browser can override them if you choose!