Information Technology: Web/Internet Browser
Information Technology: Web/Internet Browser
Information Technology: Web/Internet Browser
Web/Internet browser
A web browser simply refers to a program designed to enable users to access, retrieve and view
documents and other resources on the internet. It is called browser because Web pages often take a
from page to page on the internet.
A web server is a program that runs on a website and is responsible for replying to browsers’ requests
for files.
HTML stands for Hyper Text Markup Language. It is a way of formatting information for display by web
browsers.
Opening a browser
Let us focus on one of the most common browsers called ‘Internet Explorer.’ Internet Explorer comes
already installed on all computers running the Windows operating system.
1. Left click on the start button at the bottom left of your screen.
2. In the menu that appears, move the mouse over the word ‘program.’ A new menu will appear
showing various programs on your computer.
3. Look for menu item: Internet Explorer and left click on it. Internet Explorer will begin to run.
4. If you are not already connected to the internet, a screen will appear prompting you to connect.
5. Left click the connect button as indicated on the screen. There will be a waiting period as your
computer tries to connect to your ISP (Internet Service Provider). When you successfully
connect to the internet then, you can begin to use your internet explorer to browse the
internet.
1. Googlemail
2. Hotmail
3. Yahoomail
To create an e-mail address, for example using yahoo as the host, follow this procedure:
Double click on Internet Explorer icon on the desktop or select it on the Programs menu.
On the address menu, type http: //www.yahoo.com
Click on ‘Don’t have a Yahoo! ID? Sign up’.
If there is any error, it will bring back this same page and pinpoint where the error is.
Correct the error(s) and click on Create My Account. When correct information is given, it will bring a
new page to congratulate you on the successful creation of an e-mail address.
You should now keep and remember to use the correct ID (identification) address and password anytime
you want to check your mail or write or send a message to someone.
To send a message through your e-mail address to someone, first open your e-mail box by
signing in with your Yahoo ID and password.
Look for the send button and click on it. The message will now be sent to the person and a new
message informing you that your message has been sent to the recipient’s e-mail will appear.
1. Faster communication: reliability and speed of communication are two of the most exciting
things about the internet. Email, instant messaging services and video conferencing, are some of
the tools that are making communication cheaper, faster and better.
2. Information resources: The availability of an enormous amount of information on virtually every
topic. This is making research faster and easier.
3. Entertainment: the internet is packed with various mediums of entertainment such as games,,
music, videos, competition, promotional campaigns, etc
4. Social networking: social networking sites have also become important platforms for developing
business relationships, promoting products and services, providing customer service, speaking
against injustices, starting political movements, reporting events around the world, finding jobs
etc.
Abuses/disadvantages of the internet
1. Theft of personal information uploaded on the internet through online banking, social
networking and other online services.
2. Plagiarism, that is, using other people’s work and taking credit for it.
3. Internet fraud
4. Unauthorized copying and distribution of software from the Internet. This is called piracy.
5. Virus attacks.
6. Pornography, which can cause serious social problems that are harmful to teenagers and even
adults.
7. Spamming, that is, sending emails in bulk, which needlessly obstruct the email box.
8. Internet addiction, which can disrupt a person’s social life, affect mental health or even cause
physical problem like neck pain from excessive bending the neck to look into a phone or
computer.