Computer Basics for Seniors,
Part 2
The Internet
Internet instructor:
Shayna Keces
236-0302, ext. 441
April 2004
Agenda
Definition of internet
Internet functions
Browsing
Email
Chat
Other
Internet browsers/Internet explorer
What is the Internet?
Network of networks
No overall organization
Content determined by participants
Today synonymous with WWW
Most popular uses of the
internet
Browsing
Research
Finding people
Playing games
Reading newspapers and magazines
Banking
Government information
Job searching
Shopping
Downloading programs or files
Email
Electronic mail
Non-secure
Client software – company or ISP
Resides on computer
Needs special program (eg. Outlook, Eudora,
Netscape Messenger)
Not available in public libraries
Advantage re contacts on web pages
"Ottawa Public Library contacts, "
(http://www.library.ottawa.on.ca/english/contact/in
dex.htm)
Email (cont.)
Web-based email
Program resides on web page
Free service
Available from any internet computer
Must go to website to send/receive mail
Attached files may be problem
Chat
Used most often by children and teens
Safety precautions necessary
Wide variety of chat rooms/subjects
dir.yahoo.com/computers_and_internet/inter
net/world_wide_web/chat/
Should monitor first
IRC, web-based and instant messenger
Web-based chat
Most common with improvements in
bandwidth
Kind used in libraries
Need plugin or applet to use so not all
will work
Available from many websites
Other functions
Usenet
Newsgroups (groups.google.com)
Telnet
Joining another computer system
Often used for receiving non web-based email
Ftp
Site set up to distribute files (called
anonymous ftp)
Browsers
Way to view html documents (URLs)
Often needs plugins for multimedia
applications
3 main browsers
Internet Explorer (Microsoft)
Netscape Navigator (Communicator)
Opera (independent company known for
efficient design, linked to Qualicum)
Web Pages
Effects and display different in different
browsers
Applications not always available on public
computers
URL (address) starts with name of server or
host computer separated from the domain
name (sponsor of the site) by a period. After
domain name have a period and then the
type of domain (eg. gov mean U.S.
government, mil mean U.S. military, com
refers to commercial site, edu a university
site, org a non-profit organization and gc.ca
Canadian federal government)
Web pages cont.
Frames
Scroll bars within page (up and down and
side to side)
Address in address bar belongs to host site
instead of displaying actual address
Printing will print frame unless text clicked
on before printing.
Internet Explorer
Ways to access a Web page or URL
Address bar (type in or use drop-down
menu)
Open file (website or file)
Hypertext links (look for hand cursor)
Bookmarks/Favourites (not available in
library)
Personal links (not available in library)
Internet Explorer menu bar
File
New (CTL +N) – New window
View two pages at once or waiting for new page
Keep to minimum
Open (CTL +O) – File or web page
Saving web pages
Html (open in browser)
Text (for word processor and email)
Print – Page one to see no. of pages or
selection (new version of IE has Print Preview)
Practice
Open a new screen
Use File menu to open
http://www.ithaca.edu/library/training/us
eful.html
Save this web page as an HTML file on
your desktop
Internet Explorer menu bar
(cont.)
Edit
Find (CTL-F)
View
Go To
Stop (ESC)
Refresh (F5) www.globeinvestor.com
Source
Text size
Encoding (for non roman alphabets)
Practice A
Minimize the screen
Open How Can You Find Anything web
page which you saved on the desktop
Find the words EDGAR
Click on that hyperlink
Practice B
Type the following URL in the address
bar
http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/
Click on Stop after a few seconds to halt
downloading graphics
Tool bars
Back and forward buttons
Stop
Refresh
Home (choose wisely)
Search
History
Print
Bookmarks/Favourites
Way to keep track of useful websites
Not available on library machines
Should have organizational structure
Personal links for heavily used sites
Bookmarks/Favourites (cont)
Add to favourites
Create in (choose folder or create a new
one)
Make sure correct folder is highlighted
when creating subfolder or favourite
Press create in
If you already see the list of folders you
only have to highlight the relevant folder
and click on the OK button
Further study
Carroll, Jim. Canadian Internet new user's
handbook. 004.678 C319c 1999
The Internet handbook for writers,
researchers, and journalists. 004.678 I612
2000
Snell, Ned. Sams teach yourself Internet and
web basics all in one. 004.678 S6715s
Kent, Peter. The complete idiot's guide to the
Internet. 004.678 K37 2001
Further Study : Videos
The interconnected world of Internet
basics V004.678 I61
Teach yourself Internet Explorer 5.0
V005.713769 I5v
Internet 1-2-3-- getting on-line V004.67
I616
An Introduction to Microsoft Internet
Explorer V005.71369 I5Lib
Further Study : Websites
Internet 101
http://www.internet101.org/internet101.html
Exploring the Web
http://www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/internet/explore.
htm
Browsing Basics – Internet Explorer
http://www.websearchguide.ca/tools/IE5Win/n
avfram.htm