Browsing and Searching the Web Chapter 8 Browsing and Searching the Web Practical PC, 4e Chapter 8

Browsing and Searching the Web In this Chapter, you will learn: What a Web page is What a URL is How a browser works How to use a search engine How to save text and graphics found on the Web How to create your own Web page About protecting and sharing your Internet connection with a router Practical PC, 4e Chapter 8

Web Pages A Web page is a document that can contain text, graphics, videos, sound clips and links to other pages. Links between pages are called hypertext links and allow you to follow an information thread. A computer linked to the Internet that holds a Web page is called a Web server. Practical PC, 4e Chapter 8

Web Pages A group of related Web pages that contain information about a specific topic (such as a company, person, event, etc.) is called a Web site. Each Web site is created and maintained by one or more people called Webmasters. The main page on a Web site is called a home page. Practical PC, 4e Chapter 8

Web Pages A Web page often contains many links to other pages. These links may be from a particular string of words (called a text link) or from a picture (graphics link). When you move your cursor over one of these links, it turns into a hand-shaped link pointer. Clicking a link sends a copy of the new page to your PC for you to view. Practical PC, 4e Chapter 8

Web Pages A typical Web page Practical PC, 4e Chapter 8

What’s a URL? Each Web server is located by a specific address called a URL (uniform resource locator). URLs are constructed of several pieces: Most begin with http:// (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), https:// for secure sights. Web server’s name – i.e. www.amazon The top-level domain – i.e. .com, .org, or .edu Using these three pieces connects you to the Web site’s home page – http://www.amazon.com Practical PC, 4e Chapter 8

What’s a URL? URLs are constructed of several pieces (cont): You can also connect directly to a specific page on the Web site using the folder and file name Web pages are normally stored in HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) format Path names follow the server name and are separated from it by slashes. The world news site on CNN is: http://www.CNN.com/world/ Practical PC, 4e Chapter 8

What’s a URL? The format of a URL Practical PC, 4e Chapter 8

Using a Web Browser A Web Browser (Browser) is software that reads Web pages and interprets the HTML tags embedded in each page so that it can be displayed on your screen. Two popular browsers are Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator. Some times in order to display special files or media, you might need to install a special plug-in. Browsers often store information about you and your preferences in cookies on your PC. Practical PC, 4e Chapter 8

Looking at a Web Browser Using a Web Browser Looking at a Web Browser Practical PC, 4e Chapter 8

Using a Search Engine A search engine is a giant catalog similar to the one at your library that allows you to locate information on Web pages. Search engines work with key words or phrases Most can handle both simple and combination searches. Google and Yahoo are two common search engines. Practical PC, 4e Chapter 8

The Google search engine Using a Search Engine The Google search engine Practical PC, 4e Chapter 8

Saving Text and Graphics from the Web You can print a Web page by using your browser’s print button. You can copy text from Web pages by highlighting it and using the copy option on the browser. You can then paste it into any program. You can copy graphics from the Web by right-clicking them and using the Save Picture as option. Be aware that most information is copyrighted! Practical PC, 4e Chapter 8

Saving Text and Graphics from the Web Copying information from a web site Practical PC, 4e Chapter 8

DSL and cable connections are always on Hardware – Protecting and sharing your Internet connection with a router DSL and cable connections are always on Always-on connection puts the computer at risk of hacking A firewall is a software program or hardware device that protects one or more computers from outside intruders Practical PC, 4e Chapter 8

Hardware – Protecting and sharing your Internet connection with a router A router is a hardware device that connects a local area network to a larger network such as the Internet. Because most routers use NAT or Network Address Translation, hackers on the Internet typically can only reach the router. Practical PC, 4e Chapter 8

Hardware – Protecting and sharing your Internet connection with a router Practical PC, 4e Chapter 8

Creating your own Web Pages Using Word to create a Web Page Practical PC, 4e Chapter 8

The Filtering Controversy What do you think? The Filtering Controversy If you had children, would you use filtering software on your home PC to block access to certain Web sites? Do you think schools and public libraries that provide Internet access to children should use filtering software? Do you believe that in some situations it is appropriate to use filtering software on computers accessed only by adults? Practical PC, 4e Chapter 8

Chapter Summary You should now be able to: Understand how to locate Web sites. Understand what the parts of a Web Page URL mean. Work with a Web browser Use a search engine Save and print text and graphics from a Web page Understand how to protect and share your Internet connection with a router Practical PC, 4e Chapter 8