View source for How to use a web browser

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A [[web browser]] is a software application that finds and retrieves information resources on the [[web]], and displays the retrieved information on the user's computer screen.

The following discussion describes the use of [[Firefox]], because that is the browser that I prefer. Similar functions can be found in other browsers.

==Opening the browser==
The browser is a software program installed on the user's computer. Different browsers can be installed on the same computer, and can even be opened at the same time (for instance opening both [[Firefox]] and [[Internet Explorer]] - in separate windows).

When the browser opens it takes instructions from the start-up options set by the user, which may be one of the following:
*load a [[start page]], which is the [[web page]] (or a local file) that the browser routinely starts with – this is often set to a [[search engine]] website such as [[Google]]
*open the last windows and tabs used in the previous session
*open a blank page

==Using the address bar==
The address bar (also called location bar or URL bar) is a long box of short height, usually located near the top of the web browser interface. The address bar shows the [[URL]] of the web page currently being displayed by the browser.

The address bar will also accept a typed URL that the user wishes to go to. Most address bars offer a list of suggestions while the address is being typed in, formed by [[autocomplete|autocompletion]] based on addresses stored in the browser history.

==Using the browser interface==
[[To be written]]

==Browsing history and back arrow==
[[To be written]]

==Bookmarks (favorites)==
[[To be written]]

==Browser extensions (plugins and add-ons)==
[[To be written]]

==See also==
*[[Web browser]]

[[Category:Web browsers]]
[[Category:How-to]]
[[Category:Draft]]