Simple Surfing Tips

If you are not used to the Internet, here are some very basic tips to help you find your way around websites.  Note: the word "click"  means click once with the left-hand mouse button. 

A web page has clickable links, which open related pages. A clickable link means the mouse cursor changes to a pointing hand when you move the mouse over a piece of text or a picture.  Click when you see the pointing hand.

Click the back button at the top left-hand side of your window if you need to go back to the previous page.  Keep  clicking the Back Button to go further back in the sequence of pages you have opened.  

Always use your scroll bars especially down.  Many web pages are longer than your screen so often you can't see the whole page at once.  Small scroll bars sometimes appear in smaller frames within the main window. 

Learn how to interpret how the page is arranged.  Many web pages contain masses of information which can be overwhelming.  Look for the contents lists which take you to the main "sections" of the site, often down the side of the page, or arranged as tabs across the top as in our own site.

Look for the layout structure: is it in columns, how many are there?  Identify which areas contain primary information.  Identify which areas contain additional details eg special offers, and which areas contain sponsor advertisements.

Be wary of any tempting or alarming flashing advertisements that occasionally pop up trying to sell you something; if you click on one you sometimes cannot get rid of it.  Do not click on anything that has the words "DOWNLOAD" unless you are absolutely certain you know what it is.

Many web pages require you to type information into special slots . Click in the slot and make sure that the cursor is flashing there, otherwise typing will not appear in the slot.

A small black arrow at the end of a slot indicates a drop-down list giving you alternative responses.  Click on the arrow then click on your chosen alternative in the list to "load" it into the slot.

Often there is a useful search function within a site, usually at the top. Type key words of your choice into the search slot and click on a nearby button that says something like "search", "go" , "find now" and so on.

To enlarge the text size either click on the View Menu at the top of your screen and select Text size or Zoom or look for a percentage figure or slider at the bottom right hand corner of the screen. This size will remain in force until you change it again.

Use the Favourites  (sometimes called Bookmarks) function to bookmark useful websites and be able to return to them directly whenever you wish. (On Internet Explorer 8 it is the gold star near the top.)

Stay Positive!  Practise with one or two you like and gradually try new ones.  Don't be tempted to dismiss the whole Internet if a few websites seem confusing or you get lost.