Explorer Basics

Microsoft brought out IE 5.0 in March 1999 and it was an instant success. One reviewer called this version - gold. IE5 is faster than IE 4.0 was in displaying web pages and has some handy features to help you search the Web. IE 5.5 is better still for viewing web pages. Explorer by late 2000 commanded between 80 and 90% of the market.

Using IE, you can surf the Web, save Web pages easily for offline reading, download software, send e-mail, and participate in newsgroups.

Just a few words about terminology. People browse the Internet - as they would a bookstore. They also surf the Net - just as they surf television channels or waves off Hawaii - staying for a moment in one place and then moving to another.

With skill in using just a handful of Explorer's features, you will be able to navigate the Internet easily and comfortably. This segment will introduce you to the main features of the Windows version of this software package.

What You Need to Know

• Explorer Web Browser: Learn about the main parts of the Explorer browser window - the menubar and toolbar.

• Web Browser - more: Look to the right, the left, and the bottom of the browser window.

• Print web pages: Print the whole page or just a specific frame. Print Preview is available in IE 5.5.

• Navigate between pages: Use hypertext links, move back and forward between pages, review where you have been.

• Go to other places: Learn how to enter the address of a site you want to see.

• Cache in on history: Revisit sites by using your history list.

• Open a new window Display a new site in a second browser window and be able to flip back and forth between two sites - or more.

• Add favorites: Save the addresses of places to which you wish to return.

• Change start page: Have IE open automatically to a site you choose.

• Set appearances: Customize the appearance of Explorer's Web browser to your own preferences. Find out how to turn off images.

• Get help: Get additional information about the features of Internet Explorer from Microsoft.

Where to next?

Start by looking at the parts of the Explorer Web browser.