Safe Computing

The World Wide Web is a convenient media for sharing documents, pictures and information. Web Pages are actually documents on a particular type of computer called a Web Server. The most common name for a web server is www, so a lot of webpages have the address www.something.com (for commercial, .edu for educational .net for network.) Your Web Browser navigates the Internet to find the particular document you want to look at.

How do I use it?

First to use the web, you need to have a connection on a network or to the Internet then simply open up your Web Browser program. The most common Web Browser programs are Internet Explorer, Netscape and Opera. When the program opens up it will automatically start with your Home Page. Frequently your computer manufacturer will set this to be one of their sites. You may change the Home Page to whatever web site you want to be the first you see every time you open your Web Browser program.

Search Engines

Search engines offer the ability to search the Internet for specific information. Many search engines have been developed; each looks for information in a slightly different way. We suggest that you use several different types of engines to fully cover any one topic; each will produce a unique list of resources. To sample some of the best search engines link to http://www.case.edu/UL/REF/indexes.html. Happy surfing!!

Common Problems

Error 404: web site not found

Web site addresses are very specific, you will get a 404 error if you entered an address that the computer does not recognize. First check your typing and make sure you have the address correct. If you do, contact the person who gave you the address or the administrator of the web site and let them know the address is incorrect.

Changing your Home Page

In Internet Explorer go to 'tools' and select 'internet options'. You can type your home page in at the Address box, or click 'Use Current' to set your homepage to be the webpage you currently have open. Click OK.
In Netscape go to 'edit' and choose 'preferences'. Select 'Navigator' and type in the home page you would like. Click OK.
In Opera go to 'File' and choose 'Preferences'. In the 'Start and exit' preferences, put a dot next to 'Show my Home Page' and either type in the URL (address) or click on the 'Use active' button to use the webpage you currently have open. Click OK.

November 22, 2009

The ITS Help Desk is OPEN.