Browser Basics:
Open IE

Title: Jan's Illustrated Computer Literacy 101
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A browser is a program that allows you to view documents which are written in HTML (HyperText Markup Language). Such documents are usually called web pages, even when they are on a hard disk or flash drive or CD and not on the Web at all.

The first browsers could display only text - no graphics. You could download graphics but you had to view them separately. Mosaic was an early browser that could show pictures on the same page as the text. Netscape Navigator was developed from Mosaic and rapidly became the dominant graphical browser.

Currently, the majority of people accessing the Web use some version of Microsoft Internet Explorer. The battle for users is not over. New browsers are released all the time. Google Chrome is rapidly gaining users (Fall, 2011). FireFox is slowly increasing its share of the market place. Mobile devices like smart phones and tablets have their own browsers. Many of these are not related to the browsers that are popular for desktop computers.

Web pages continue to get more and more complex. People want to see and hear more and more, faster and faster. Web authors want more control of the display of the page. To satisfy these desires the HTML code and associated features like stylesheets keep getting more powerful, and therefore more complicated. Browsers have to change, too, in order to use the new features. Older browsers cannot properly read pages that use new plug-ins or new HTML tags. Some day the situation will settle down... maybe!


Where you are:
JegsWorks > Lessons > Web

Before you start...

Project 1: Browser Basics     Connecting To subtopics
    icon-footprintOpen IE
    icon-footprintGeneral Settings
    icon-footprintOther Settings
    IE InterfaceTo subtopics
    NavigatingTo subtopics
    PrintingTo subtopics
    SavingTo subtopics
    SearchingTo subtopics
    Summary
    Quiz
    ExercisesTo subtopics

Project 2: HTML BasicsTo subtopics

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Glossary  
Appendix

Starting Internet Explorer

You have quite a number of choices of how to start up your browser.

Quick Launch toolbar Desktop icon for Internet Explorer Start menu - IE

Quick Launch: Starting with IE4+ and Win98+ a new area appears on the Taskbar. This area contains shortcuts to several programs, including Internet Explorer.

Desktop icon: Somewhere on your Desktop there is an icon for IE, by default.

Start menu: Open the Start menu and then Programs. The icon for IE is probably in the area below the folders and also in the folder named Internet Explorer.

Since you are reading this page in a browser, you probably already have your favorite method of opening it! However, you should at least read through the steps below. Your particular situation is not the only way to connect to the Internet. You need to be aware of other situations so you won't be totally confused when you use a different computer!

Icon Step-by-Step 

Step-by-Step: Open IE

  Icon Step-by-Step

What you will learn:

 to start IE
to connect to the Internet

Start with: Desktop

  1. Click on IE4 the icon for Internet Explorer in the Quick Launch area of the taskbar. One click does the trick!
    What happens next depends on the status of your connection to the Internet.

    1. Default home page for IE5: Microsoft NetworkAlready connected to the Internet:
      Internet Explorer opens and loads the page you have assigned as the Home page, the first page to load. You are ready to start using your browser.
       
      This happens if your computer is part of a network that is connected directly to the Internet or has a DSL or cable modem connection, or if you have already established a connection separately.

    2. Dialog- Dialing ProgressNot connected to the Internet & IE is set to connect automatically: 
      Your computer automatically attempts to connect or to dial up your default ISP or online service.
       
      A dialog tells you what is happening throughout the dialing process.

      Connected To message boxOnce the computers talk to each other a bit, you may be prompted for your user name and password, but an automatic connection may take care of that for you. You must wait for the name and password to be verified. Then you should get the message that you are connected. The dialog box shows the how long you have been connected and the base connection speed.

      The Connected to dialog is a bit different, depending on your Windows version. If your dialog has an OK button, clicking it minimizes the dialog to the Tray on the Taskbar. If the dialog has a Minimize button on the title bar, clicking it minimizes the dialog to the Taskbar. 

      Next IE opens and loads the page you have selected to be your Home page.

      You will see an icon in the System tray like Tray with icon for connection or Tray icons - modem connected for your modem, unless you chose to hide it. The icon's colors will blink between red and green to show modem activity.

      Tip A modem usually makes a lot of very odd noises as it dials the telephone number and then tries to find a common language with the modem on the other end. With a little practice, you will learn to recognize when the modem is having trouble and when it is just babbling along. An ISDN terminal adapter, a cable modem, a DSL connection, and a network connection do not make noises.
       

    3. Dialog - Page not available offlineNot connected & IE is not set to connect automatically:
      Most people use a page on the Web as their Home page , the page that loads first. The default home page for IE is at Microsoft. (Surprised?) If your browser's home page is on the Web, when you try to open IE, you will see a dialog that tells you that your online home page is not available. The dialog offers you the choice between Connect and either Stay offline or Work Offline, depending on your version of Windows.

      Boring page: Navigation CanceledIf you choose Offline , a boring page will load and tell you the obvious. 

      If your Home page is a on your hard drive, it will load even when you are working offline. This is a good reason to write your own Home page that contains links to the places you go to often.