Web Evaluation - HELP

Topics:

• How to return to previous pages

• How to use the scroll bar

• How to find hyperlinks

• How to enter a Web address (URL)

• How to highlight, copy and paste text

• How to select items in pull-down lists

• How to resize the browser window

• How to adjust frames in the browser window

• How to open a second browser window

• How to toggle (move) between two or more browser windows

• How to close new browser windows

• How to check your browser's version

• How to print Web pages

• How to make Javascript work on your browser

• How to view and print PDF files

How to return to previous pages:

There are several ways to return to a previously viewed page:

1. Use the browser's BACK button.

2. Use the browser's drop-down menu. In Netscape, choose Go | Back. In Internet Explorer, choose View | Go To | Back.

[Use the browser's BACK function to return to the previous page.]

How to use the scroll bar:

When a Web page is longer or wider than the available space in your browser's window, a scroll bar appears along the side (or bottom) of the browser window.

You can use this bar to view the rest of the page the page. Here's how:

Point your mouse at the bar. Click and hold the mouse button to grab it. Then move the bar up or down (or sideways if it is on the bottom of the window).

[Use the browser's BACK function to return to the previous page.]

How to find hyperlinks:

Hyperlinks (or links) are normally highlighted by underlining or color. Sometimes hyperlinks do not display underlining. You can find links by looking for some other clues.

As you pass your mouse's pointer over a link:

1. The pointer changes to a new shape, usually from an arrow to a pointing finger.
   

2. The URL displays in the status bar at the bottom of your browser window.

[Use the browser's BACK function to return to the previous page.]

How to enter a Web address (URL):

You can type the URL for a web page if you know it. Use the browser's location (Netscape) or address (Internet Explorer) slot.

Erase the URL that is currently showing. Type the new URL in the blank space. Press the ENTER (or RETURN) key to fetch it.

[Use the browser's BACK function to return to the previous page.]

How to highlight, copy and paste text:

First select or highlight the text to be copied. Move the cursor to the spot where you want to begin highlighting and click to place it. Now hold down the mouse button and drag the mouse until your cursor is at the end of the text block, then let go. The text you want to copy is now highlighted.

There are several different ways to perform copy and paste. These are:

1. Hot keys, such as Ctrl+C (for copy) or Ctrl+V (for paste). Press both keys at once.

2. Edit menu commands

   

3. Toolbar buttons

   

Use one of these methods to COPY the text you highlighted. This puts it into the computer's clipboard or storage area.

Go next to the file where you wish to place this text and click to insert the cursor where you want the text to go.

Then use one of the methods listed above to paste the text into the new location.

[Use the browser's BACK function to return to the previous page.]

How to select items in pull-down lists:

To use the net.TUTOR Quick Quizzes, you must select an answer from a pull-down list, such as the one below:

To display the complete list, click either the small black arrow to the right of the box (may not show on Macintoshes), or within the box itself.

Point the mouse at the list item you wish to select and click. It will be highlighted in a dark color. Your selection should now be displayed within the box.

[Use the browser's BACK function to return to the previous page.]

How to resize the browser window

For computers using the Windows operating system, there are two steps:

If your computer is a Macintosh, grab the resize box (shown in the illustration below) and adjust:

Note that you can also move the browser window around on your desktop by grabbing the window title bar with your mouse (hold the mouse button down) and dragging it. This works on both Windows and Macintosh computers.

[Use the browser's BACK function to return to the previous page.]

How to adjust frames in the browser window:

Sometimes a Web page display includes multiple windows within the larger browser window. These smaller windows are called frames.

To change the size of a frame:

Point at the border you want to move. If the pointer changes to an indicator that looks like the one in the illustration to the right, click the mouse button to "grab" the border. Hold the mouse button down and pull the border in either direction. Release the mouse button when done.

[Use the browser's BACK function to return to the previous page.]

How to open a second browser window:

Currently this works the same way in both Netscape Communicator and Microsoft Internet Explorer.

1. Point at File in the menu at the top of your browser window and click the mouse button to display the pull-down menu.
2. Highlight New in order to display a second pull-down menu.
3. Highlight Window (Internet Explorer) or Navigator Window (Netscape) on this menu, then click the mouse button again to select this choice.
4. A second browser window should open. This window can be used independently of the first window.
5. Instructions for toggling between all open browser windows are provided below.

[Use the browser's BACK function to return to the previous page.]

How to toggle (move) between two or more browser windows:

You can have more than one browser window open at the same time. When you wish to move between windows, use one of the following methods:

1. Use the task bar (for those with Windows operating systems).
   

2. Netscape users (both Windows and Macintosh versions) can use the browser menu. Select Communicator | Window to see a list of open browser windows. Highlight the window you wish to view and it will move to the top.
   

3. America Online (version 5) users may also use the menu to move between open windows. Select Window to see a list of all open windows. Highlight the window you wish to view and it will move to the top.
   

4. Internet Explorer users must click on the History button in the browser toolbar to view a combined list of pages from all the browser windows that are open. Click on a page title to bring it into the window you are using.
   

How to close new browser windows:

Clicking on some links causes a new browser window to open. The new window may partially or completely cover the old one.

You cannot use BACK to leave this new window. To close new windows:

Use the drop-down menu option, File|Close, or Or use the regular Windows or Macintosh window closing technique (shown in the illustration)

[D]

[Use the browser's BACK function to return to the previous page.]

How to check your browser's version:

Companies that make Web browsers issue new, updated versions of their software on a regular basis. This software is usually free and can be downloaded from the company's Web site.

To determine which version of the Netscape or Internet Explorer browser you currently have:

1. Point at the word Help on the browser's menu bar.
2. Click the mouse to display the Help menu options.
3. Pull the mouse down this list to the option About [your browser's name here].
4. A screen with the browser version number will display.

[Use the browser's BACK function to return to the previous page.]

How to print Web pages

To print a Web page that is currently visible in your browser window:

• select Print from the browser's File Menu
• or use the Print Button

Netscape Communicator 4.0

To print a frame from a Web page:

• First select the frame to be printed by clicking somewhere within it.
• Then choose Print Frame from the browser's File menu.
• Newer versions of the Internet Explorer browser allow you to print all available frames of a Web page, as illustrated below.

Internet Explorer 4.0

To print from a computer in the OSU Libraries, you must have a Copez card to pay for your printouts. Copez cards can be purchased from vending machines in Main and EHS Libraries or at Copez Centers around campus.

Usually several computers share one printer. In this case, you must also:

• Determine whether you are computer A, B, C, etc. (look for a label on the front of the monitor).
• Then toggle the switch on the box where you insert your Copez card accordingly.

[Use the browser's BACK function to return to the previous page.]

How to make Javascript work on your browser:

Some features in net.TUTOR, such as the Quick Quizzes, use small programs, called Javascripts. Your Web browser must understand Javascript for these to work properly.

Most browsers have this capability, but sometimes it is turned off. If you wish, you can change your browser's settings to correct this problem. The Javascripts in net.TUTOR pose no security risk to your computer.

For Netscape, choose the Edit menu, then Preferences. In the box that appears, select "Advanced," then check the box next to the option "Enable Javascript."

For Internet Explorer, choose the View menu, then Internet Options. In the box that appears, select the "Security" tab, then choose "Medium" to allow Javascripts.

[Use the browser's BACK function to return to the previous page.]

How to view and print PDF files:

PDF stands for: Portable Document Format. When you open or download a document, if the filename is followed by .pdf, that document is a PDF file. PDF files retain the original appearance of documents with graphics and color intact. Online versions of journal articles which were originally published in print format are often provided as PDF files.

In order to read and print out PDF files, your computer must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader. PDF files cannot be viewed, printed out, or edited by word processing software, such as Microsoft Word. Computers in OSU computer labs are already equipped with the Reader. Most new computers come with Web browsers that also already have the Reader installed.

If you do need to download this software, the latest version of Acrobat Reader is available free from:

• Software To Go (OSU) (includes detailed installation instructions)

• Adobe

There are two ways to display PDF files:

• Plug-in: If the Acrobat Reader is installed as a plug-in, when you click on a link to a PDF file, it is displayed within the Web browser window. After viewing a PDF file that is dispayed in your browser, you can return to a previously viewed page by using the browser's BACK function.

• Helper Application: PDF files are displayed within a separate Acrobat viewer window. Depending on the type of browser you have, you may first see a dialog box that gives you the option of either saving the PDF file to your computer or opening it. Unless you wish to keep a copy of the document, select the radio button next to "open the file."

Click on this link to a sample PDF file to see how your Reader is installed. It's possible to switch the way your Reader is configured (for example, from a Helper to a Plug-in). See the Adobe Technical Guides page for illustrated instructions.

To print a PDF file, click on the printer icon in the Reader toolbar (as shown in the illustration below). NOTE: If your Reader is set up as a plug-in, you may use the printer icon or the browser's Print button to print PDF files.

Because PDF files are often larger than other types of documents, downloading and printing them may take much longer time.

[Use the browser's BACK function to return to the previous page.]