Internet Explorer

[Windows] [Microsoft Office] [Internet]

Listed below are some helpful items to know when using Microsoft Internet Explorer to browse the web:

  • Getting to a site
    • Know the Internet address?
      • Type the Internet address into the address bar
      • The address bar is on the toolbar; it is not the entry box for a search engine
    • Don’t know the Internet address?
      • Use a site with a Search Engine such as www.google.com
  • URL or Internet Address
    • sample address: http://www.georgemeany.org/info.html
      • http:// - Internet addresses must be prefixed with http:// Internet Explorer allows you to omit http:// and will add it automatically
      • www.georgemeany.org - the host address
        • .gov government agencies
        • .com private companies
        • .edu educational institutions
        • .org organizations
        • .net networks
      • /info.htm. - a reference to a particular file
    • Tip: Get an error message that the page can’t be found? Perhaps there is an error in the file name or that page doesn’t exist anymore. Leave off the file reference and you may still be able to get the home page 
  • Getting from site to site
    • Moving or navigating from page to page takes place with links
      • Links with text are underlined
      • Graphical links display a hand with a pointing finger when the mouse moves over them
    • Move to pages you have already visited with the Back and Next buttons on the toolbar
    • Want to know where a link will take you? The status bar displays the destination address when you move the cursor over a link.
  • Page not display properly?
    • Click the Refresh button on the toolbar. Internet Explorer will load the page again.
    • Refreshing the page can also ensure that you have the most current version of the page. Internet Explorer saves page information on your computer.  It can load a page faster from stored information than from the original source. Settings in Internet Explorer determine whether you are looking at stored information or the page has been loaded again.
      • From the menu bar select Tools > Internet Options
      • Click Settings to see how often Internet Explorer checks for newer versions of stored pages
  • Shortcuts to frequently visited sites
    • Designate site as a favorite location
      • Go to the site
      • From the menu bar select Favorites > Add to Favorites
      • The Add Favorites dialog box gives you an opportunity to change how the name of the site is recorded by your browser
    • Go to a favorite location
      • From the menu bar select Favorites
      • Select the site from the list
    • Sort the Favorites list
      • From the menu bar select Favorites
      • Right-click on the menu
      • Select Sort by Name
    • Tip: Want a site to be on the top of the Favorites list? Give it a name that starts with the top of the alphabet and sort the list.
    • Tip: Want to put the link on the toolbar?  When adding the site to the favorite list, click the Create In button and put the site in the Links folder.
  • Set opening page when Internet Explorer opens
    • From the menu bar select Tools > Internet Options
    • Type in the address of the site you want as the home page
    • If your browser is currently on that page, click the Use Current Button
  • Save a picture or graphic on a web page
    • Right-click on the picture
    • Select Save Picture As
    • Choose a name and directory where the file will be stored
    • Consider any copyright issues  with your use of the picture
  • Printing a web page
    • Toolbar. Simplest. Click the Print icon on the toolbar
    • Menu bar. Provides more control of print options.
      • From the menu bar click File > Print or right-click on the page
      • In the Print dialog box make any print setting changes
    • Right-click menu. Provides more control of print options.
      • Right-click on white space on the page
      • In the Print dialog box make any print setting changes
      • If a page uses frames, such as for a navigation bar, this method will only print what is in the frame you clicked on.
  • Can’t find your information on a page?
    • From the menu bar select Edit > Find
    • Enter the word or phrase you are looking for
  • Open a web page in a new window
    • Right-click on a link
    • Select Open Link in New Window

Reference

Lowe, Doug. Internet Explorer 5 for Windows for Dummines. IDG Books Worldwide, Inc., 1999.