Common Questions About Your Computer

with 31 Comments

Internet | Browsers | Bookmarks

 

 

What Is the Internet?

When you think of the internet, think of it as a huge library of books and each book has a gazillion pages.
Each time you make a click at Digital Scrapper,Β  you are essentially turning to another page in our book.

 

  • Our library is called the Internet (or World Wide Web).
  • Our book in the library is called a Website. We’ve named our website Digital Scrapper (or www.digitalscrapper.com).
  • Our pages in our book are called Webpages (such as www.digitalscrapper.com/plus).
  • Our webpages contain information specific to our website.

What Is a Browser?

You wear shoes to walk into a library (internet) to search for a book (website).
In essence, your shoes are a browser. They allow you to walk around the library and explore (surf).

 

It is important to keep your browser updated for security and compatibility reasons.

 

Here is how to update your browser:

Google Chrome Update

  • Click on the wrench icon on the browser toolbar and choose About Google Chrome.
  • The About Google Chrome window will open and Chrome will begin checking for updates.
    • If updates are available, they will begin downloading automatically.
    • If Google Chrome is already up to date, just close the About Google Chrome window.
  • When the updates are downloaded and ready to be installed, click Update.

Mozilla Firefox Update

  • On a PC: In the Firefox drop down menu, choose Help > About Firefox.
    On a Mac: In the Menu Bar, choose Firefox > About Firefox.
  • The About Firefox window will open and Firefox will begin checking for updates.
    • If updates are available, they will begin downloading automatically.
    • If Firefox is already up to date, just close the About Firefox window.
  • When the updates are downloaded and ready to be installed, click Apply Update.
    Firefox will need to restart for the updates to take effect.

Apple’s Safari Update

  • On a PC: From the Start menu, choose All Programs > Apple Software Update.
    On a Mac: In the Menu Bar, choose the Apple icon > Software Updates.
  • Look through the list of available updates to see if any of them are for Safari.
  • In the dialog box, place a check mark next to Safari and click Install.
  • If you do not see Safari listed as a needed update, simple exit.

Microsoft Internet Explorer Update

  • On a PC: From the Start menu, choose All Programs > Windows Update.
    On a Mac: Windows only offers a trial version.
  • Click on View Available Updates and click Install.

What Is a Bookmark?

An internet bookmark is very similar to a physical bookmark in that you use it to save your place in a book (website).

Bookmarks are unlimited and are stored in your browser’s toolbar or menu bar.

  • A bookmark (or favorite) is a way of saving your favorite Web pages so that you can find them again later.

 

Google Chrome Bookmarks

  • To add a bookmark in Google Chrome:
    • Navigate to a webpage. (ie DigitalScrapper.com)
    • Press Ctrl D (Mac: Cmd D) to add a bookmark.
      (or) Click on the yellow star in the Address Bar to add a bookmark.
    • Name the bookmark and click Done.

  • To use a bookmark in Google Chrome:
    • Press Shift Ctrl B (Mac: Shift Cmd B) to show the Bookmark Bar.
    • Click on a previously created bookmark in the Bookmark Bar. If you want the bookmark to open in a new Tab, press the Ctrl key (Mac: Cmd key) when you click on the bookmark.

 

 

Mozilla Firefox Bookmarks

  • To add a bookmark in Firefox:
    • Navigate to a webpage. (ie DigitalScrapper.com)
    • Press Ctrl D (Mac: Cmd D) to add a bookmark.
      (or) Click on the blue star in the Address Bar to add a bookmark.
    • Name the bookmark and click Done.

  • To use a bookmark in Firefox:
    • To the right of the Menu Bar, click on the Bookmarks drop down menu.
    • Choose a bookmark from the list.

 

 

Apple Safari Bookmarks

  • To add a bookmark in Safari:
    • Navigate to a webpage. (ie DigitalScrapper.com)
    • Press Ctrl D (Mac: Cmd D) to add a bookmark.
    • Open the drop down menu and choose Bookmarks Menu.
    • Name the bookmark and click Add.

  • To use a bookmark in Safari:
    • Press Shift Ctrl B (Mac: Shift Cmd B) to show the Bookmark Bar.
    • Click on the Bookmarks Menu icon.
    • Choose a bookmark from the list.

 

 

Microsoft Internet Explorer Favorites

  • To add a favorite in Internet Explorer:
    • Navigate to a webpage. (ie DigitalScrapper.com)
    • On a Mac: Ctrl click any where on the webpage and choose Add Page to Favorites.

  • On a PC: Right click anywhere on the webpage and choose Add to Favorites.
  • In the Dialog box, name the favorite and click Add.

  • To use a favorite in Internet Explorer:
    • On a Mac:
      • To the left of the browser window, click on the Favorites tab.
      • Choose a Favorite.

    • On a PC:
      • In the Menu Bar, click on the Favorites button.
      • Choose a Favorite.

31 Responses

  1. Penny Parello
    | Reply

    Jen, you are the best…you make everything so easy!
    You are my favorite teacher…have always liked your tutorials best & I like your mischivious new photo.
    Thanks for your patience!!!
    Penny

    • Jen White
      | Reply

      Thanks Penny! That is so kind of you to say. πŸ™‚

  2. Chris knight
    | Reply

    Nothing like visualizing using something familiar. Thanks so much. Very helpful.

  3. Barb
    | Reply

    Wow, Jen! valuable information!

  4. Mary
    | Reply

    Thanks so much. I never could figure out Google Chrome bookmarks

  5. Dottie Gawley
    | Reply

    This is a great reminder – I often just stumble around till I get to the right place. Thanks.

  6. Traci Brennan
    | Reply

    Nicely done and good info!

  7. Woodie
    | Reply

    Wow you make it sound so simple! Thank you thank you!

  8. Jane T
    | Reply

    Has anyone ever told you that you would make a great school teacher? Your analogy is fantastic in today’s explanation and I have no doubt you could make learning anything meaningful and fun. I am a retired teacher with 35+ years and believe me when I say I know a good teacher when I see one. Have a lovely day.

    • Jen White
      | Reply

      Thanks, Jane! I appreciate your kind words! πŸ™‚

  9. Linda McGue
    | Reply

    In your opinion which browser is the best for a PC – Windows 7?? I’m using FireFox now, but have been thinking about changing to Chrome.

    Good basic information you put in here, it should help a lot of people.

    • Jen White
      | Reply

      Hi Linda. Great question. When you say “opinion”, that’s exactly what it is…personal preference. πŸ™‚ That said – I personally am a Firefox lover, but Sharon (our web guru) swears by Chrome. Whether you are a PC or a Mac, the results are pretty much the same. The only one I do NOT recommend is Internet Explorer. πŸ™‚

      • Linda McGue
        | Reply

        Thanks for your “opinion” on which browser you prefer. I was just trying to find an answer from Dell on how to troubleshoot my nonworking DVD player on my Dell laptop and their help indicated their online tools would only work with IE. I have IE on my computer but when I opened it up all I could see was the Crawler. I tried to search on how to uninstall it, but their directions didn’t work, and other downloads seemed to involve downloading a 3rd party something with a fee (no thank you). I think I have the latest IE downloaded since I tried to download and install IE 9 and it said I already had a newer version installed, so must have 10. I don’t like the looks of the crawler at all, it has stuff I don’t want to use. Do you know how to get rid of it? I think it is a good idea to keep IE installed because sometimes online help will only work with it (dumb of them, huh).

        • Jen White
          | Reply

          Hi Linda. I agree… toolbars are annoying! you should be able to hide/show any toolbar. Go to View > Toolbars. Then put a check mark next to the bars you want to see.

          • Linda McGue
            |

            That’s one of the problems, there are no menu items to select. Oh, well, I’ll just try and ignore it.

          • Jen White
            |

            Yep! I know what you are talking about! IE hid their Menu Bar a couple of versions back. To find it again, click on the Tools drop down menu and choose Menu Bar. That should fix you right up. πŸ™‚

  10. Dorrie H.
    | Reply

    Jen, You sure put a lot of work into this, and it’s wonderful. However, if I don’t bookmark it then where would I go to access it from the Home Page. I can’t find access anywhere. Sorry for being a pest.

    • Jen White
      | Reply

      Hi Dorrie. Great question! The Common Questions pages will reside on our FAQs page. Click on Learn > FAQs. πŸ™‚

  11. Bonnie
    | Reply

    Love your talent. Love your spirit. Thanks Much for all you do – my question is with regard to Windows Explorer. Please explain why you prefer Firefox (or any other browser) to Explorer for a PC. I’ve never known how to use anything browser other than Explorer…

    • Jen White
      | Reply

      Thanks Bonnie! You’re so sweet! πŸ™‚

      Why I like Firefox… Firefox is smooth, sensible and geeky. Everything about it works and it’s expandable with add-ons and third-party plug-ins. Yet, you don’t have to be geeky to use it.
      Why I do not like Internet Explorer (IE)… 9 times out of 10 – when a friend or family member is having problems on-line – simply moving from IE to Firefox solves the issue.

      Change is rarely fun. So if you are satisfied with IE, then there is no need to move over. But if you find yourself mildly frustrated, save yourself some blood pressure points and dump Internet Explorer. xoxo

  12. Cindy Borklund
    | Reply

    Thank you Jen, this made things a little clearer for me. Look forward to more information like this.

  13. Phyllis
    | Reply

    The only browser I have ever used is Internet Explorer and I AM frustrated with it. It frequently says, “Internet Exploer has stopped working” or “Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage” Now for my dumb question…How do I drop IE and get a new browser?

    Thanks for your great tips and I love your sense of humor.

    • Jen White
      | Reply

      Hi Phyllis. πŸ™‚ Thanks for your kind words. πŸ™‚ I’ve provided links for you to download the other browsers covered in this post. You’ll see the links at the beginning of the “What Is a Browser?” topic.

      Just like you have many pairs of shoes, you can many browsers installed on your computer. You can even use them all at the same time! πŸ™‚

      To surf with a different browser: Simply choose the Firefox browser (icon) instead of the IE browser (icon) next time you want to surf the web. Your computer will most likely notice you are using a different browser and ask you if you want to make Firefox the Default Browser. Click Yes and be on your way. πŸ™‚

  14. Mary
    | Reply

    Although I’ve had a computer since 1984, your article is a great one. It’s chockful of interesting explanations. Thank you for your great tutorials.

  15. Judy Anderson
    | Reply

    Really great info and answers alot of my questions. Love…love…love all of your tuts! Thanks a bunch!!

  16. ouisiekelly
    | Reply

    I am giving this article to my computer “challenged” husband. Big help!
    Thanks a lot.

  17. Priscilla Ware
    | Reply

    Hi Jen! I have a lot of bookmarks which I would just hate to lose – either because of a computer crash or buying a new computer or changing internet provider. Is there someway we can save these bookmarks and move them to a new computer? Thanks for all you do!

    • Jen White
      | Reply

      Hi Priscilla. Yes, you most likely can save your bookmarks. Which browser are you using?

  18. Bonnie
    | Reply

    As always an awesome explanation, so well written. I have to go back and read it again so I can keep all the search engines straight. I just stick with the one I learned, because I hate change:) I know this would
    help all people starting, plus it helps me who never had it right to start with. Love you tips! Keep them coming.

  19. Bonnie
    | Reply

    Sorry me again, can I save this to a PDF, again I seem to have lost the spot to do that. I might want to change search engines and wanted to be able to look up the information on that site. Now I know how to do the favorites and save, but if I switch I need to look at bookmarks etc.
    Thanks Bonnie

  20. Kathi Blythe
    | Reply

    I’m having difficulty “unzipping” a file. Having never done it before, I tried to google how and came up with a lot of free downloads that I’m not sure I want to do. Is there a method to unzip a file? Appreciate your expertise.

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