One of the most common uses for the Internet (apart from e-mail) is known as web browsing. A web browsing package (such as Netscape or Internet Explorer) is installed on the users computer which, when connected to the Internet, allows them to view pages of information from around the world. To browse the Internet, users can use three very different methods. Experienced users would use a combination of all three methods as each is equally effective and has it's own specific benefits.

1. Entering an Address

This is the most popular method of browsing the Internet. Users enter the URL (Uniform Resource Locater) or Address of the site they wish to access into the address bar at the top of the screen and hit the Enter key.

Example:

Quite often when listening to the radio, reading a magazine or newspaper or watching television you will read/hear about web addresses.
These addresses, if typed correctly, will allow users to visit the web site provided by the company or organisation and view it's contents. They may have promotional details about their products, competitions you can enter or even the ability to purchase many items directly over the Internet.

Sometimes a web address is easy to follow and understand, such as: http://www.microsoft.com. If you were to enter this address exactly into the address bar and hit enter, you would be taken straight to the Microsoft web site.

The Benefits:
This is a very quick and easy method of finding a site if you know the exact address
Users are taken directly to their site of choice
The Downside:
Users may not know the exact address they want to access
Site's may have changed addresses

2. Using Links

Once at a site, you will quite often find many links to other sites of similar interest.These links (called Hypertext links)are generally shown in highlighted text, often a different colour and underlined. To follow a link and see where it goes just single click on the highlighted text. (Note: To go back to the site you came from, click on the Back button on your browser.)

This is an example of a link

The Benefits:
This is a simple way to get to related topics of interest
A URL or address is not required as links take you to the site automatically
The possibility of typing errors is removed.
The Downside:
Users may get lost on the Net as they are taken from site to site without taking note of the URL's
A site visited through a link will not be recorded in a users "Sites last visited" list

3. Using Search Engines

Search Engines may also be used to find products, services and topics of interest on the Internet. Topics or Company names may be entered into a Search Engine window and all related topics are listed. From that screen, users may click on the closest matching link and be taken immediately to that site.
Type any word or series of words into the search window below and click on Go to see how a search engine works.

The Benefits:
Choice of site can be made to suit exact interest
Sites of related interest also listed
Advanced search technique's and options can make browsing very accurate
The Downside:
Browsing this way can be very time consuming, as users may have to sift through potentially thousands of search results
A site visited through a link will not be recorded in a users "Sites last visited" list
Users must know exactly what they are looking for