Difference between revisions of "How to use a web browser"

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(Using the address bar)
(Summary of the browser interface)
 
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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.
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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.
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The following discussion describes the use of [[Firefox]], because that is the browser that I prefer. Similar functions can be found in other browsers. See the [[#Summary of the browser interface|Summary of the Browser Interface]] at the bottom of this page.
  
 
==Opening the browser==
 
==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]]).
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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:
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When the browser opens it takes instructions from the start-up options set by the user (in the Tools menu), 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]]
 
*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 the last windows and tabs used in the previous session
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==Using the address bar==
 
==Using the address bar==
The address bar (also location bar or URL bar) is a small window, usually near the top of the web browser interface. The address bar shows the [[URL]] of the web page currently displayed.
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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 by [[autocomplete|autocompletion]] while the address is being typed in, based on addresses stored in the browser history.
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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==
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==Using windows and tabs==
 
[[To be written]]
 
[[To be written]]
  
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[[To be written]]
 
[[To be written]]
  
==Bookmarks (Favorites)==
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==Bookmarks (favorites)==
 
[[To be written]]
 
[[To be written]]
  
 
==Browser extensions (plugins and add-ons)==
 
==Browser extensions (plugins and add-ons)==
 
[[To be written]]
 
[[To be written]]
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==Summary of the browser interface==
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The web browser provides a [[Graphical User Interface]] (GUI) for the user. The main elements of the Firefox GUI in a standard configuration are (from top to bottom):
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*'''title bar''': the blue bar across the top of the screen, indicates the title of the web page currently being viewed
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*'''menu bar''': contains drop-down menus (use the View menu to choose to hide the menu bar, in which case it is replaced by a single Firefox button in the upper left corner)
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*'''address bar''': shows the URL of the current web page, with a separate search box to the right of it, offering a selection of [[search engine]]s (in the Chrome browser there is only one box which serves as both address bar and search box)
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*'''other tool bars''' (optional): use the View menu to choose various other tool bars to show or hide
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*'''tabs''': all of the open tabs are displayed in a horizontal row (you can use the View menu to move the tabs to above the address bar)
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*'''side bar''' (optional): use the View menu to chosoe various side bars to display or hide
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*'''main window''': shows the web page currently being viewed
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*'''status bar''': appears at the very bottom of the screen to indicate status of page loading operations, and disappears when loading is complete
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
 
*[[Web browser]]
 
*[[Web browser]]
  
[[Category:Sketch]]
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[[Category:Web browsers]]
[[Category:To categorize]]
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[[Category:How-to]]
 
[[Category:How-to]]
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[[Category:Draft]]

Latest revision as of 14:32, 17 September 2011