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INTERNET> Change
your web browsers default home page
Internet Explorer:
Click on Tools then Internet Options...type in the new www. ??? address.
Netscape:
Click on Edit then Preferences...type in the new www. ??? address.
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INTERNET> Clear
History in your Internet Browser:
This is basically the same as with AOL except you are probably either using
Internet Explorer or Netscape.
Internet Explorer:
Click on Tools/Internet Options...Click on Clear History
Netscape:
Click on Edit/Preferences...Click on Clear History
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INTERNET>What are "Zip"
files:
A "Zip" file is a compression format used to reduce
file size for transport over internet or to save space on your hard
drive. Sometimes called an "Archive" file, they are used
most often for taking a batch of several files and compressing into one while
reducing the file size in the process. For example if you had 3 documents that
you wanted to e-mail to a friend you may ZIP them up using a utility like WinZip
(my personal favorite). Downloadable for free on the Download
Page. Keep in mind that to receive a ZIP file you must also have an
UNZipping utility like WinZip. A good idea to get a copy today if you do not
already have it.
Receiving ZIP files:
Once you have WinZip installed and you receive a ZIP file there is
really nothing to do. Just double click on the file and WinZip will launch
automatically and you will see a list (or perhaps just one large file) of files.
You have two choices at this point. You can double click on them right from
there and they will open the program associated with the file(s) and you can
save them in that program. Or you can click on the EXTRACT button and save them
all to folder on your hard drive at the same time. It depends on what they
are.
For example if I receive 3 zipped pics from my mother showing off her favorite
daffodils, chances are I will double click on them from within WinZip,
acknowledge their beauty then close the file. I do not wish to save pictures of
daffodils on my computer. However, if my brother sent stage pictures of his
restored Mustang, I would probably save them to my hard drive. It is up to you
really. The rule of thumb is that if you are going to save them them go the
Extract method otherwise just open within WinZip.
Extracting:
When you extract a ZIP file you are simply decompressing the ZIP file to
a location that you specify on your hard drive.
Creating your own ZIP files:
1. Open WinZip and click on the NEW button. It will ask you for a
name for the ZIP (archive) file and a location. (I have created a folder under
my C drive called "ABox" for things like this...see creating a new
folder)
2. Next, click on the ADD button and the top and select the file or files
that you wish to add to the ZIP archive.
3. Click on the other ADD button within this dialogue box.
4. That's it really. Look at the top of the WinZip window you will see the name
or your ZIP file which is stored in the location that you specified earlier.
(Note also that this is what a ZIP file looks like when you open it.)
5. At this point you can close WinZip, and to test the one you just made go the
location where you saved it and double click on it.
If you need any help with ZIP files drop me an e-mail.
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INTERNET> Refreshing
your Browser
When surfing the Internet, sometimes it seems to "hang" or lock up.
This would be an instance where you can hit your "Refresh" button at
the top which reloads the page...kind of like a reset button. From a Web
Designers point of view, this is especially important if the website has been
modified. Even though changes were made to the site your browser may be pulling
the OLD page from cache or memory. AOL is particularly bad about
this...sometimes you have to hit the Refresh several times or perhaps close and
restart AOL before the changes take effect. I find this irritating and have told
them about it via their version of the Suggestion Box.
There is an alternative which seems to make a difference although pages load slightly
slower...but not noticeably.
In AOL:
1a. Open AOL and click on My
AOL ...you do not have to be signed on.
1b. Click on WWW button
In Internet Explorer:
1a. Click on TOOLS / Internet
Options
2. Under the Temporary Internet files section, click on Settings
3. Choose Every visit to page to make sure that it always loads the
most recent version of all web pages you go to.
4. Click on OK and OK again to get out....DO NOT change any other
settings.
In Netscape:
1. Click on Edit / Preferences
2. On the left, click on the "+" next to Advanced
then Cache
3. At the bottom choose Every time
4. Click OK
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INTERNET>
Security
Shopping on
the Internet
While using your credit card over the Internet can be safer than shopping at the
mall, there are ways that credit card numbers can be snooped out on the
Internet. Most businesses that take credit cards take a variety of precautions
with credit card number transmissions to and from their Web sites:
Secure
Sockets Layer (SSL):
stands for Secure Sockets Layer; a technology that encrypts information that
travels from your browser to the Web server, so that while you're sending and
receiving information within a secure server, your credit card number and any
other information you send and receive is much harder for anyone to steal.
You'll know when you enter a secure server because
in your browser you will notice a little "lock" either on the bottom or
top of your browser window. If the lock is closed then you are on a secure
site...if it is open you are not. Do be careful when you shop on the
Internet, and if you have doubts about the reputation of the merchant, check
them out before sending your credit card number. Or, you can do your comparison
shopping online and when it comes time to actually place the order call the 800#
to close the deal.
The Web and Children
As in any walk of life, there are certain things you don't want your children to
see online. AOL makes it easier for children to explore the online world with
“Parental Controls”. Parents can set a variety of options for
children on secondary accounts using a Web content rating system and flexible
blocking options. Visit Parental Controls at Keyword: “Parental Controls”
for more information. There are
a variety of great programs specifically with the parent in mind. Nortons
Internet Security 2001 which also includes Anitvirus 2001, is a great program
for filtering out unwanted sites and material. You can set "Access
Rights" for different users or children and restrict permissions as
necessary.
Also
see AOL Security
Some content providers have set up Web
"certificates" with trusted third parties (like a company called
Verisign) so that users can authenticate that the content they're getting is
trustworthy. If you do business with providers who use certificates, you can use
those certificates with your browser.
In Internet Explorer set up a list of
"Trusted" sites:
1. Click the Tools / Internet Options on the toolbar
2. Click the Security tab.
3. Click on Trusted Sites a list appears. These lists
are called "Zones"
4. To add a site that you know is secure (see above), type in the WWW address
and click Add.
NOTE: Conversely you can create a list of sites that you do not
trust by clicking on Restricted Sites and following the same procedure
above.
Note:
Files that you download from the Web can contain computer viruses or Trojan
Horse programs. Viruses and Trojan Horse programs can cause damage to your
computer files, contain objectionable graphics, or compromise the security of
your account. You should always check files you download for viruses and Trojan
Horse programs before you open them.
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Internet>
How
To Save an Image from a Web Page to Your Computer or Disk:
1.
Position the cursor over the graphic you want to save.
2. Right-click over the image. A pop-up menu appears.
3. Select Save Picture As.
4. Navigate to the location on your hard drive in which you want to save the
graphic.
5. Click OK.
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