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Page Contents -
1. Overview
2. Internet Explorer
3. Newscape Communicator
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1. Overview
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Browsers are the generic term for the application that
is used to view World Wide Web pages, so called because
the user generally tends to browse through different
sites.
Common browsers are Netscape Navigator (now part of
Netscape Communicator) and Internet Explorer, both of
which are covered here. Other popular browsers which
may be covered at a later stage are Opera, NetPositive
(for BeOS), NCSA Mosaic and Lynx.
Browsers don't tend to need much configuring. The only
thing you will need to know if your computer is connected
to a network would be a proxy address if there is such
a thing on your network. A proxy is a computer that
all Internet traffic goes through, rather than each
PC having its own Modem and telephone line. Proxies
can also keep a log of what each PC and User has been
using on the Internet - you have been warned!
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2. Internet Explorer
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The following screen shots below were
taken from IE4.
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Access this screen via control panel or Load up
IE and select ' View ' then ' Internet
options '. The Security, content, and program
tabs are easy to follow.
Advanced Option Tab:
Everything is easy to follow and this tab contains
the options to disable cookies and more.
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The Connection tab
The ' Connect ' button starts up a connection
wizard. For more details on how to connect to
the net please read the connecting section on
this site.
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The ' Settings ' tab will take you to the screen
below.
Proxy Server. Some ISPs allow you to connect via a
proxy. Whenever you ask for a web page the proxy gets
the page and then passes it to your computer.
Now a common problem is if you're using multiple ISP
accounts. If you have your browser set up for Freeserve's
proxy for example, but then use another account you'll
have problems. All you have to do is disable the proxy.
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These settings are for Virgin Net, but should
be fine with most other ISPs.
The ' Add ' tab will allow you to add
a new account, which is described in the 'connecting
to the net' section on this site.
The ' Properties ' tab takes you to the
modem properties. Again see the connecting to
the net section and choose the ' changing settings
' option.
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The disconnect if idle is on by default and can cause
a lot of headaches for new users. With the box ticked
if nothing happens within the selected time the browser
will tell you your connection is not in use and count
down before disconnecting you, unless you go back to
using the connection. This is useful if you keep forgetting
to disconnect from the net.
If you want the browser to prompt you for a password
before connecting, tick the security check box.
The other options are easy to understand.
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With IE5 you will connect to the internet with
the screen pictured left. If you have more than
one ISP you can select which one you want to use.
Before if you used IE4 you would have to connect
via dial-up networking, but not any more!
Also with IE5 the empty box below will show you
what your modem is doing, and will display any
problems that may occur.
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3. Netscape Communicator
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Contained here is just the basics of setting
up Netscape and what some of its many options do, and
how to solve common problems related to its use.
Netscape can be downloaded from http://www.netscape.com
or if you're lucky enough to have a signup CD for your
ISP it should be on there.
If you don't feel like spending up to an hour downloading
Netscape, have a look around your local shop. Many internet
magazines have cover CDs which always contains the lastst
programs.
Access this screen by loading Netscape and selecting
' Edit ' then ' Preferences '. Following
the diagram below is fairly straight forward. Unlike
IE4 and 5, there is no connection setting. Instead this
is handled by Windows Dial-Up Networking, although you
are able to choose whether to work on or offline by
clicking on the blue socket icon in the bottom left
hand corner of the screen.
Screen shots below were taken from Netscape Communicator
version 4.6
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Proxy Server. Some ISPs allow you to connect via
a proxy. Whenever you ask for a web page the proxy gets
the page and then passes it to your computer.
Now a common problem is if your using multiple ISP
accounts. If you have your browser set up for Freeserve's
proxy for example, but then use another account you'll
have problems. All you have to do is disable the proxy.
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