Click here for GolfWeb
Browsing the Web
What's the difference between browsing and searching?
How do I access the Web through an online service?
Which Web browser should I use?
Can I change the page that is automatically displayed when I open my browser?
Why do certain pages take so long to display?
What do I do if I get an error message?
Do I have unlimited access to all Web pages?
Can I print Web pages?
Can I use my browser to send e-mail?
How do I tell where links are?
How do I save the URL addresses of pages that I want to visit again?
Should I bookmark every site I like?
How do I go back to a page I was at five minutes ago?
How do I find Web pages?
How do I use search engines?
Why do I need plug-ins and where do I get them?
How do I install plug-ins?

What's the difference between browsing and searching?

Browsing, or surfing the Web, is what you do when you're looking at different pages and links through a Web browser. You search, usually using a search engine, when you've got a specific Web page or subject in mind and you are trying to locate it.

Back to top

How do I access the Web through an online service?

Most online services provide Web access, although if you have an older version of the service's software, you may have to upgrade, because Web access hasn't always been included. You'll usually find either a PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) connection option, or a WWW icon on the home page. Here are some online services to look into: AOL, CompuServe, Delphi, Genie, Microsoft Network, and Prodigy.

Back to top

Which Web browser should I use?

Different browsers offer different ways of viewing the Web. When deciding on a browser, think about what you will be doing online. If you're interested in buying goods with your credit card, you should be sure the browser provides good security and encryption features. If you're picky about the way pages are displayed, you should check out several browsers and graphic display options, including frames. Most people use Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer. If you're interested in seeing what other browsers are out there, look at Cyberdog (Mac only), Lynx (Unix only), Mosaic, NetCruiser (Windows and DOS only), and SlipKnot.

Back to top

Framed
If you're on a page with frames, place your cursor within one of the frames. Right-click on your PC mouse to display a pop-up menu that allows you to return to the previous frame. Clicking the Back button in this situation would take you to the previous page, not frame.

Can I change the page that is automatically displayed when I open my browser?

Most browsers let you customize your home page. You can make it something fun, such as The Dilbert Zone, CNN, or your company's home page.

To change your home page in Netscape, go to the Options menu, which houses General Preferences. From there, click on the Appearance tab and enter the appropriate URL in the field underneath Home Page Location.

Back to top

Why do certain pages take so long to display?

Graphics are almost always responsible for this delay. The delay could also be caused by the page's slow server, over which you have no control. Try connecting to the site at a different time of day, such as in the evening or on a weekend.

In Netscape, you can choose to download the text before the images, so you can at least read the page while you're waiting. Under the Options menu, choose General Preferences, click on the Images tab, and select the After Loading option next to Display Images.

In Internet Explorer, you can configure your browser to ignore graphics and just download text if you're impatient.

Back to top

Forget the pretty pictures
For faster downloading of Web pages, configure your browser to ignore all graphics. In Netscape, under the Options menu, click on Auto Load Images so there is not a check mark next to it. In Internet Explorer, choose Options from the View menu and click on the General tab. In the Multimedia box, unclick the box next to Show Pictures.
What do I do if I get an error message?

Make sure you have the correct URL address, and then try, try again. Sometimes the server is down and pages just will not display. Returning later is a good idea.

You can also try going to the parent site and linking in from there, because many pages are sections of other sites.

For example, if you can't get into http://www.netguide.com/knowhow/index.html try deleting the end of the address and going back to the previous slash: http://www.netguide.com/knowhow/, and so on, as in http://www.netguide.com/.

You can also try finding the page by its name through a search engine. URLs change all the time and you could just have an old address.

Back to top

Do I have unlimited access to all Web pages?

No you don't. Access might be denied in five typical scenarios.

1) You're on the Web via your school's server and access is censored by a system administrator or service provider.
2) If you get a "forbidden" message, the page's server is rejecting your request.
3) Some "forbidden" messages could appear as a result of the Communications Decency Act, which still criminalizes obscenity and child pornography on the Web, even though parts of the law were overturned in June 1996.
4) If a parent or teacher has access to your computer, he or she could be running blocking software on your machine, which could limit your Web access.
5) Some sites require you to register before you see the contents. Of these, many charge you for the service.

Back to top

Let me see!
If you need to see more screen real estate, try removing the directory buttons and that pesky toolbar. In Netscape, select Show Directory Buttons or Show Toolbar from the Options menu. If the option is checked, the toolbar will be displayed. If it's not, you won't see it. In Internet Explorer, look under the View menu to hide the toolbar. To get rid of the standard buttons in Explorer, choose Options from the View menu. Under the General tab, you'll find a box next to Standard Buttons.

Can I print Web pages?

Most of the time you can. You print Web pages just as you would any other document. In Netscape as well as Internet Explorer, the Print option is under the File menu. However, if the Web page includes graphics, the printing process will take longer than it does when printing text only.

Back to top

Cache in
You can decrease download time by accessing pages you've recently visited through the Go menus of Netscape and Internet Explorer. The URLs are already stored in the cache, making them quicker to access.

Can I use my browser to send e-mail?

Yes, it is very similar to sending regular e-mail. Once you've set up your browser with your e-mail account information, you can send mail. On Web pages, a Mailto: box will show up when you click on e-mail addresses or on an individual's name. You enter a subject and a message and send as you would within your e-mail program. You can also send e-mail through a site's form-based page, usually set up to give feedback to the author.

Once you've configured the browser with your e-mail information, you do not need to have your e-mail program open when sending mail; you can just use the mail functions within the browser. To send a new message in Netscape, select New Mail Message from the File menu. Internet Explorer houses the New Message option under the File menu as well.

Back to top

Home run
To return to your browser's home page, instead of typing in the URL address or using a bookmark, click on its icon--the "N" in Netscape, the "e" in Internet Explorer--in the upper right-hand corner of your browser screen.

How do I tell where links are?

On most pages, links appear underlined or in a color different from the rest of the text. Images can be links as well. A good rule to follow: Put your cursor on the word or image and, if it changes into a hand, you're on a link. You can also check the bottom of your Web browser screen to see if the text changes. If it does, you're on a link.

Back to top

Stop in the name of time
When accessing a Web page in Netscape or Internet Explorer, sometimes you have to wait a long time for the page to display. Try reloading the page by clicking on the Stop button in the toolbar and then hitting the Reload button or the hyperlink again.
How do I save the URL addresses of pages that I want to visit again?

You can "save" URLs by bookmarking; Internet Explorer calls this adding a favorite. Bookmarking a site in Netscape adds its URL to a file on your hard disk. When you launch the browser, it reads this file and adds the URLs it finds to the Bookmarks menu.

To bookmark in Netscape, go to the site you wish to save, pull down the Bookmarks menu, and click on Add Bookmark.

You can also rename the page bookmark if you wish. Go To Bookmarks, in the Bookmarks menu, will show you a list of the bookmarks. Click on the one you want to rename, select Properties from the Item menu, and enter the new name in the Name field. To delete a bookmark, after you've chosen Go To Bookmarks, select the one you want to remove, pull down the Edit menu, and click on Delete.

In Internet Explorer, bookmarks are called favorites. Add To Favorites is located in the Favorites menu. When you select this option, a dialogue box pops up with the name of the page highlighted. If you want to rename it, this is your chance. To delete a Favorite, choose Organize Favorites from the Favorites menu, highlight one and click on the Delete button.

Back to top

Should I bookmark every site I like?

It's not a good idea, because you'll never find the bookmark you want. However, both Netscape and Internet Explorer allow you to organize pages into folders. This is especially helpful if you bookmark many sites, some for pleasure and others for work. Check out the bookmark section in the Netscape Handbook and the Help Topics menu under the Help menu in Internet Explorer.

Back to top

How do I go back to a page I was at five minutes ago?

If you have bookmarked the site, you can call up the bookmark and go back. You can also use the Back button in Netscape or Internet Explorer. In addition, both browsers keep the page names under the Go menu, which you can pull down to access. Click on the page name you want, and you'll go back to it. Another option is to use the pulldown menu on the address bar of your browser. Accessible via a down arrow icon just to the right of the URL address, this menu keeps the addresses of recently visited pages. Highlight the one you want to return to it.

In Netscape, you can also access the History function in the Window menu to get to the most recent pages.

Back to top

Skip the formalities
Type the URL in the location or address field and hit enter instead of using the pulldown File menu and the Open Location function. Additionally, Netscape and Internet Explorer do not require you to enter http://. Start the address after the slashes; that is, start right out with www, ftp, or news. Also, when going to a page in Netscape, you can type x when the URL is http://www.x.com, and you'll get there. For example, try typing just cnn instead of the full URL, http://www.cnn.com.
How do I find Web pages?

The best way to find a page on the Web if you don't know the URL is through a search engine. These programs search their own databases and the Web to find the pages you want by accessing key words that you enter.

Your Web browser will probably provide you with a few links to search engines, as well as with a few cool links to start you surfing. For a thorough list of search engines, check out the All-In-One Search Page.

You can also consult lists, directories, and indices, which are all similar to search engines but more limited in scope.

Back to top

How do I use search engines?

Most search engines have a tips link, which should help you get the most out of your search. You should look for specific features that will aid in your queries and cut down on your search time. For example, see NetGuide Live's Search Advisor.

Boolean searching uses qualifiers such as AND, OR, and NOT to limit queries. AltaVista, for instance, lets you use commands, such as NEAR, to find terms in close proximity, as in Fabian NEAR lyrics.

If you're looking for a phrase, most search engines let you use quotation marks to denote your intentions, as in "Elvis Costello FAQ." Additionally, you can use a concept to describe what you want, such as vegetarianism, to get a list of relevant sites.

Searching is usually very straightforward. If you are offered options of what to search, choose one. Many search engines have "the Web" and a local database as choices. Enter your query as specifically as possible and hit the Submit button. The resulting list may be quite long. But you can usually scroll or page through the list of titles of the sites, which should help you decide which are worth a look. Then it's just a matter of clicking on the title or URL to go to the page.

Back to top

Why do I need plug-ins and where do I get them?

Plug-ins are invaluable if you really want to experience the Web. Cool things are on the Web that you can't access if you don't have certain software. You can check out QuickTime movies, get into chat rooms, listen to music, or participate in videoconferencing--if you have the right equipment.

The great thing about Web plug-ins is that most of them are free. If you can locate the right page and follow the downloading directions, you'll have no problems. For descriptions, software and hardware requirements, and instructions on downloading several plug-ins, see What's On: Resources.

Back to top

How do I install plug-ins?

First, check the plug-in's requirements to make sure it will work on your operating system and that you have enough memory to install it. If you're downloading multimedia plug-ins, you may need additional hardware, such as sound cards. If you've got a Macintosh computer, you have a sound card. If you have another type computer, check the specs.

You'll usually be prompted to select a version of the software; many times both shipping and "beta" versions will be offered. You may also have the option of reading the license agreement and accepting its terms. Select your operating system and, if you're given a choice, a site from which to download the plug-in. If sites are listed by location, choose the one closest to you, because it will be faster. After you click on the download button, you must select a name and location for the file, to be saved on your computer. Once you do this, the program will download, so just sit back and wait.

Back to top

Resolve that space problem
To see more of the Web pages you're accessing, try switching to a higher monitor resolution. Go to your PC Control Panel, for example, select Display, and click on the MGA Settings tab. You can move the Display and Desktop area sliders to alter the way pages appear on your screen.

By M. Trouble Sample

Return to Net Coach

Have suggestions, tips or advice for the Coach? Drop a line to NetCoach.


Help | About NetGuide Live | Feedback

Home | What's On Now | Search+Browse | Explore | Net Know-How | News/Reference

Copyright © 1997 CMP Media Inc.