Reference Shelf: Tips for Better Browsing
Bookmark sites that interest you
Use the "bookmark" or
"favorites" feature of your browser to add interesting sites
to a permanent address list inside your computer. Later, you can simply
click on the name of a site in your list, and your computer will
automatically take you to the correct URL.
Because browsing can often lead you along a
complex path of links from one site to another, it's usually better to
bookmark anything of interest rather than expect that you will be able
to find your way back. Start making this a habit by adding EDSITEment to
your list of favorites!
Take advantage of plug-ins
Your browser may need an additional piece of
software, called a "plug-in," to handle some of the more
sophisticated materials available on the Internet, such as video clips,
audio clips, and interactive games. Some browsers notify you when a
plug-in is needed and offer to find and download it for you
automatically. In addition, many websites contain links that will lead
you to the plug-ins you need.
Because most plug-ins are free, there is no reason not to use them, but
you might want to be careful about download times, which can run nearly
an hour in some circumstances. If you're in a hurry, bookmark the
plug-in page and return to it at a more convenient time. Check too that
your computer has enough memory to run the plug-ins you want.
Double-check your URLs
Although EDSITEment and its featured
websites offer you convenient links to abundant resources, there will
come a time when you must type in a URL to access information. Be
careful to type a URL exactly as it is shown, shifting to upper-case
where necessary and including all periods, tildes (~), and other
characters. Like most marvels of the computer age, the Internet is
intolerant of typographical errors.
Forget about "File Not Found"
Occasionally when you click on a link you will
come to a very grim-looking page that announces "File Not
Found." This is simply the Internet's way of letting you know that
the page you wanted is no longer available. It's also a reminder that
the Internet is a growing and changing information environment, with new
content being added and old content being removed constantly. Don't be
surprised or disappointed if you run into the "File Not Found"
message, and certainly don't worry that you have done something wrong!
Just use the "back" button on your browser to step back a page
in your quest for knowledge and launch out in a new direction.
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