Sunday, September 11, 2011

...........about Internet.

What is a Web browser?

Web browsers are the Internet equivalent of a magic carpet that can take you anywhere you want to go.  The intuitive, point-and-click nature of thee programmes makes them very easy to uses, and they've had a great deal to do with the popularization of the Internet. 

A Web browser lets users type in an Internet address (called a Universal Resource Locator, or URL) and instantly move to that location on the 'Net'.  If it turns out you really like the site, most browsers will let you mark it in memory, so you can return at the click of the button.  Other prominent capabilities of most most browsers includes access to E-mail and Newsgroups and the ability to help you download files.

Another handy utility of most browsers is that they can keep track of where you have been during your Internet trek.  By simply clicking the back button, or your route and return to sites you've already visited.  The major Web browsers also offer direct accesss to a list of search services, which can help you find what you're looking for free on the internet.

What is a search service or search engine?


Search service is a company that runs a complex programme to keep track of all sites popping up on the Internet.   Users can access a service's listings to try to find sites of interest by using keywords and names.  For example, if you wanted to see what types of sites the Internet had to offer on Mark Twain, you might visit the Yahoo! site (at http://www.yahoo.com).  Once you're there, you simply type mark twain in the search window and away you go.  Yahoo! was one of the first, and is still one of the most popular, search sites because of its simple interface and friendly demeanor. 

Your request for sites about Mark Twain should bring back a list of possible sites.  If they're not exactly what you were looking for, you might try to narrow your search parameters; most search services make it easy to do.

If you're having difficulty with a search or if you just want to find an interesting topic, most search services now offer directories for you to browse through.  In a directory, you can pick a general topic and work your way down to a specific site.  For  example, you could pick the general category of health, then pick the subcategory hospital, and finally pick out a particular hospital's Web site.  Directories are very easy to use and can lead to some great discoveries.  Some search services even provides reviews and ratings of Web site.

It's usually pretty easy to find a search service (more are popping up every day), and most Web browsers offer their own list at the start page or through a button on the browser.  These sites work for free, but beware, most sell space to advertisers who want to sell you something.

What is a URL?     

URL stands for Universal  Resource Locator, which is a fancy way of saying "Internet address".  URLs are those long strings of text that are popping up in everything from newspaper articles to television commercials, asking you to visit a certain Web site.  URLs usually start with "http:" have a mess of letters, numbers, and punctuations marks in the middle; and include a three-letter combination such as EDU or .com  at the end.

By typing a complete URL into the appropriate window of a Web browser, you can jump instantly to a new site on the Internet.  Just like a real-life address, it's very important to make sure you enter a URL, otherwise, it's likely you'll end up in the wrong place.

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