Stop, Browser time (27)

Sorry about the M.C. Hammer reference – it was too hard to resist.

April is browser time. Sure, we use the Internet Explorer browser all the time at work, to look at the Intranet, search the databases, or glance at the headlines on the Tennessean website. But do you know what to do when you can’t see all of a webpage? Have you had to deal with tabs yet? Do you know how to verify if a website is secure?

This month, we’ll go over this and more – it’s browser time. Do, do, do, do, do-do, do-do. Do, do, do, do, do-do, do-do.

What is a browser?

A web browser is software that allows you to locate and display web pages. Web pages are written in a special computer language called HTML code. A web browser translates HTML code into the the text and pictures we’re familiar with.

Here’s what the library website looks like without a browser:

Browser Bits

Mosaic was the first web browser to make a big splash – back in the early 1990s. Netscape appeared in 1994. Internet Explorer didn’t show up until 1996. It came standard with every new Windows computer and it quickly replaced Netscape as the most popular web browser. Mozilla Firefox is a popular open-source browser started in 2004. Opera is a useful browser for mobile phones. Safari is the browser standard for Apple.

Each browser has its own special features, but the main elements are the same. So, if you are familiar with using one browser, then you should be able to easily navigate another.

What are the parts of the browser?

Take a tour of the Title bar, Menu bar, Address bar, Content Area, Search Box & Scrollbar

Your mission, should you choose to accept it: 1. Watch the movie. 2. Tell us your browser questions!