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General Browser Questions
Internet Explorer
Netscape Navigator
What
is an Internet browser?
Your Internet browser is the program that allows you to view websites on the
Internet. The Windows 95/98/NT operating systems come preloaded with a version
of the Internet Explorer Browser. You should see the icon for it right on your
desktop. It will be called 'The Internet' or 'Internet Explorer'.
Microsoft's major competition in the browser industry is Netscape. Netscape
Navigator (and the newer version of Netscape Communicator) is used by about half
of all people on the Internet.
Both browsers have integrated email and news services, chat features, and other
advanced feature. Netscape Communicator even has it's own HTML editor for creating
your own web sites. 
Can I use more than one browser?
Yes. You can use as many browsers as your hardware can handle. You can even
use them at the same time. One thing to note is that you should decide on using
only one mail program. This way you can keep all of your messages in one spot.
Where can I get the newest version
of my browser?
You may download either browser from the Infinet Download section, or you may
go directly to the Browsers web site for the most up-to-date version.
Note: If you are connected during the evening you may want to try Infinet's
site since the Netscape and Microsoft sites can become very busy.
How can I go to different web sites?
There are 4 basic ways to get to different web sites or "surf the web"...
- Click on a link.. almost all web sites include links to other web pages, these
links are represented either as underlined text or as pictures. To determine if
a word or picture is a link, move your mouse cursor over the text or image and
if the cursor turns into a hand that means you can click on it and you will be
brought to another web page.
- If you already have the address or URL you want to visit, you can enter it
in the box near the top of the screen labeled Location, Address or Netsite, then
press Enter on your keyboard or...
- Click on File in the upper left of the browser screen then click on Open or
Open Location, then enter the web site address and click OK or...
- Use the keyboard shortcut to get to the Open Location screen.. using Windows
the shortcut is usually either CTRL+L or CTRL+O; if you are using a Macintosh
press your Command Key+L, then enter the web site address.
Depending on your connect speed, where the web site is, and the size of the
page, the page will be retrieved and displayed in a few seconds or up to several
minutes. If you need clues about where to find good links to Web sites, you may
want to try visiting a Search Engine. If you get lost, just click the Home button
near the top of the page and you will be returned to the Infinet home page, or
the page you have specified as your Home or Start page.
How can I save my favorite sites?
If you see an interesting web site you may want to return to later, you can
save the address as a Bookmark in Netscape or a Favorite in Internet Explorer.
To do so, go to the site you want to save, then click on Bookmarks or Favorites
at the top of the browser, then select Add Bookmark or Add to Favorites. Next
time you want to visit that site, just click on Bookmarks or a Favorites and select
the site you want from your list.
How can I search for Information with
my browser?
The easiest way to search for information on the Internet is to use a Search
Engine. Some of the most popular Search Engines are listed below:
Once you have selected a search engine, look for a space on the page to enter
a key word or words, this space will usually say Search beside it. By entering
a key word or words in the Search field you may search for any subject or web
page on the Internet. Most search engines will also have instructions on their
pages on how to search effectively.
How come some pictures don't appear
on web sites?
Sometimes if a web page is under construction, or if the creator makes an
error in programming, pictures may not show up where they are supposed to. By
default, if a picture on a web page does not exist or has some problem with its
link, your browser will display the image of a broken picture. There is nothing
that you can do to fix this, other than sending an e-mail to the web page creator
to notify him or her of the problem. If you don't see pictures on any websites,
you may have your browser set not to "Auto-Load pic", you should check your
browser's preferences for this setting.
Setting the home/start page for Internet
Explorer
- To configure your Internet Explorer settings, you can either open the browser
and go to View at the top, then click on Options or Internet Options. Or, if you
are using Windows'95 or NT, you can use your right mouse button and click once
on the Internet Explorer / The Internet icon on your desktop click on Properties.
- If you are using Internet Explorer 3.0, click on the tab that says Navigation
- If you are using Internet Explorer 4.0, click on the that says General
- On this page you have a place to enter a Home or Start Page, this is the web
page your browser will start with, and the page your browser will open when you
click on the Home button. If you would like your browser's start page to be Infinet's
web page, enter: http://www.infinet.net
- Click OK to save the changes
How do I clear the History folder
for Internet Explorer?
- On the desktop right-click on the Internet Explorer Icon.
- Select Properties.
- For Internet Explorer 3 users: Under the Navigation tab click CLEAR HISTORY.
- For Internet Explorer 4 users: Under the General tab click DELETE FILES.
- Click OK to exit the properties.
Note: You may also edit the properties from within Explorer by clicking on
View and selecting properties.
How do I set the Home/Start page for
Netscape?
Netscape Navigator 3
- Open Netscape.
- Select Options, General Preferences.
- Under the Appearance tab enter the URL of the site you want for your home
page.
- Click OK to exit the properties.
Netscape Communicator 4
- Open Netscape.
- Select Edit, Preferences.
- In the left hand column select Navigator.
- On the right side you may enter your home page in the home page section.
- Click OK to exit the properties.
You will find many other optional settings in these areas.
Netscape is unable to create a socket
connection
Essentially, this means you are not connected to the Internet. You need to
connect to the Internet before you can use Netscape or Internet Explorer using
Windows'95 Dial-Up Networking.
If you are connected to the Internet: If your dialer shows you are connected
to the Internet, you may have been disconnected, or your dialer is not working
properly. Try re-connecting to the Internet, if that does not work, try re-starting
your computer, then try re-connecting.
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