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The following is a listing of useful internet tips.
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| Please click on one of the following issues to select an item from the list. |
Double vs. single click
Preventing junk e-mail
Make good use of related links
Error messages
Making Online Purchases
Using Bookmarks
Avoid Peak Internet Times
What is a Browser?
Locating a Website |
Double vs. Single click
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Although you normally need to double-click icons in windows to gain access to a program, a single-click of the mouse is generally all that is necessary to access links when exploring the Internet.
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Preventing Junk Email
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Does junk mail bother you? If you’ve had e-mail long enough, you’ve probably realized that technology has made it even easier for advertisers to reach you. To prevent your e-mail inbox from being constantly bombarded with unwanted offers, advertisements, and even e-coupons, take these simple steps…
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Use some discretion when filling in your e-mail address and personal information on the Internet. Sometimes this will get you on one or more e-mailing lists. |
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Read carefully when filling out forms on the Internet. Specifically watch for checkboxes that have already been checked for you – they often signify that you agree to allow the site to send you future offers and information via e-mail. |
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Check your e-mail software or server for a block sender function. If you have the function, use it to block junk e-mails. Any incoming message from that particular e-mail address will automatically be deleted. |
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Most mass e-mails will indicate an address you can reply to if you wish to be removed from their list. Reply to the e-mail address specified and follow the instructions given. |
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Make Good Use of Related Links
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Many websites have the option of viewing Related Links. This gives you the option of going directly from the site you are in to other sites that are in some way related. This option can be useful in getting more information on whatever you are looking for. The key is to not get too sidetracked from your original purpose. It’s surprisingly easy to forget what you were looking for in the first place!
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Error Messages
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At some point, you will likely be faced with error messages while attempting to access a website. There are a variety of possible explanations. Normally it is a temporary problem with the site you are accessing, or your connection. First, simply try re-accessing the site once or twice. If that doesn’t work, wait a while and try again later. Sometimes a site will be down briefly because of a server problem, or for upgrades and changes.
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Making Online Purchases
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Only make Internet purchases through credible companies. Yes, you got it, crime has even found a niche on the Internet – just as you wouldn’t give your credit card number to just anybody over the phone, don’t give it out to just any website. There are sites out there looking to rip people off. A second thing to keep in mind is to ensure that the encryption function engages on your browser when you give out confidential information. Your browser should indicate this to you as it occurs – e.g. on Netscape the small lock icon (bottom left of the screen) will close. You don’t need to switch it on, it merely kicks in when the other side of the connection requires such increased security.
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Using Bookmarks
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| Bookmarks can make your use of the Internet much more efficient. A bookmark records a particular website in your browser in order to access it more easily in the future. Keep your favourite websites close at hand by using this function. Note that bookmark is the term used by Netscape, while Explorer uses the term favourites, but they perform the same function. |
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Avoiding Peak Internet Times
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| There are certain times of the day at which use of the Internet peaks. A good example of this is in the early evening when many people are home from work and are using the Internet. It is good to avoid peak times because a higher volume of users at any given time will translate into longer download times. If you are finding download times to be slow, leave it for a while and come back later when usage may be lower. It is also a good idea to close all other applications running on your computer to free up as much memory as possible. |
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What is a Browser?
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| A browser is a computer program used to explore the Internet. The two most popular browsers are Netscape Navigator and Microsoft’s Internet Explorer. Both perform essentially the same functions, therefore it really comes down to personal preference as to which one you choose. A web browser will normally be included with many of the available software packages. If you would like to obtain a copy or updated version of Netscape or Explorer, simply visit their websites and download a free trial copy. You will, however, need to have a browser in the first place to access these sites. Netscape can be found at www.netscape.com, and Microsoft Explorer can be found at www.microsoft.com. |
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Locating a Website
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| You’re faced with the situation of wanting to locate the website of a company or individual. Where do you start? Well, the first thing you should do is guess. Sound crazy? Well, say you are trying to access Bell Canada’s website. What do you think their internet address might be? If you thought www.bell.ca then you’re right. The beginning part of most internet addresses is normally www, then often comes the name/acronym for the company (in lower case), then an ending (com, ca, org are a few of the most common ones). Each part of the address is separated by a period, or dot (the term normally used). Obviously this method won’t always work, but it could save you time, so it’s worth a try. |
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