Browsing the Web Cyberspace Explorations Class BOLLI – Fall 2005

 The Process of Using a “Browser” Startup your browser program (Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.). Enter the address (aka “URL”) of a specific Web page such as The browser sends a message directly to that address requesting a response. The requested response is returned to your computer and is displayed by the browser. How Does Web Browsing Work?

What’s in a Web Address?  All Web Sites Have a Unique “Domain” Name For Brandeis University, enter: The domain name is “brandeis.edu”  Most Web Sites Have Several “Sub Domains” For BOLLI public site, enter: For Brandeis Arts, enter:  Subdomains Are Often Further Subdivided For the BOLLI private members-only Web site, enter:  Each Page in a Site Has a Unique “URL” The BOLLI members Web site photo page is identified as:

What’s in a Web Address?  URL – Uniform Resource Locator Every one of the billions of Web pages has its own unique URL. URLs are “case insensitive” and comprise letters, numbers and certain special characters.  Format Rules URLs contain a minimum of three parts, each separated by a period “.” (aka “dot”) Last part must be one of following:.com,.edu,.gov,.mil,.net,.us,.ca,.il,.fr,.de,.ru,.name,.info, etc. Cannot contain: spaces Permitted special characters: “-”, “_” “/” and “.”  Web Address Samples ( prefix is optional and implicit) finance.yahoo.comwww.knesset.gov.ilinance.yahoo.comwww.knesset.gov.il

Major Web Browsers  Internet Explorer (Microsoft Corp.)  Netscape Navigator (Netscape Corp.)  Firefox (The Mozilla Organization)  Opera (Opera Software)  AOL (America Online)

Internet Explorer

Netscape Navigator

Mozilla Firefox

Opera

AOL

Major Browser Components Toolbars Sidebar Main Window

Important Toolbar Features Prev Pg Next Pg Stop Refresh Home Pg Favorites On/Off History On/Off Page Print Page

More Toolbar Features Google Search Field Requested Web Page Start Google Search Get Requested Web Page More Toolbar Features

More Toolbar Features (cont’d) Toolbar Shortcuts

Sidebar Palettes Favorites History

Exercise: Web Search

 Go to Google (  Obtain the following information: Dates of Louis D. Brandeis’ birth & death His wife’s maiden name The date he was appointed to the Supreme Court and by whom What does the “D.” stand for? The name of his first law firm Locate a photo of Brandeis dressed in his Supreme Court robe. Bonus #1: What was the composition of the Supreme Court when Brandeis appointed? Bonus #2: What was the “Brandeis Brief”

Exercise: Download & Install Google Toolbar

 Go to Google home page.  Using Google, locate the page to download the Google “toolbar”.  Install the Google toolbar on your computer.

Go to Toolbar Download Page Go to: Toolbar.google.com Then Click Here

Download Toolbar File 1. Click on Save to start the download 2. Select “Desktop” and click on Save

Install Toolbar File 1. 1.Double click the program icon on the desktop 2. Click on the Run button 3. Click on the Agree button

Install Toolbar File (cont’d) 4. Select the “Enable Advance Features” option 5. Accept all entries and click Next

Exercise: Use the Google Toolbar

 Use the Google toolbar to lookup your home address and find a map to your location using only your phone number. Enter phone number in Google toolbar and press “Search Web” Click on the MapQuest link to get additional details Click on the MapQuest link to get additional details

Exercise: Take the Google Toolbar Tour

 Go to: Exercise: Take the Google Toolbar Tour

Exercise: Reset Browser Home Page

 Open Internet Explorer.  Go to Google home page.  Select “Tools”, “Internet Options” from the Browser menu.  Select “Use Current”.  Click “OK”.  Go to another Web page and test the home page button

Exercise: Reset Browser Home Page 2. Select “Tools”, “Internet Options” from the browser menu 3. Click on “Use Current” and select “OK” 1. Locate the desired new home page in your browser

Exercise: Save a Favorite Web Site

2. Turn on Favorites sidebar 1. Visit desired “favorite” Web site 3. Click on “Add” in Favorites sidebar 4.Optionally change Name field and click on OK 5. Optionally click on “Organize” in Favorites Sidebar for more advanced functions

Exercise: Search Within a Web Page

1. Select Edit, Find (on This Page) from Browser menu 2.Enter desired search word(s) in “Find what” box 3.Locate highlighted occurrence of search word(s)

 Work with multiple browsers  Reorganize the toolbar  Use Shortcuts – e.g., Ctl/Enter, Spacebar scrolling  Use mouse scroll wheel  Block pop ups  Control character size Some Additional Exercises

How Does Work?

What’s in an Address?  A specific rigid format is required. “User-name” is typically your login name. “Domain-name” is frequently defined by your ISP.  Format rules Cannot contain: spaces or special characters except “-”, “_” and “.” Must contain the sign  Address samples (note: contains underscore character between the first and last names)

Download & Install Google Toolbar