BASIC INSTRUCTIONS
FOR ACCESSING A WEBSITE ON THE INTERNET
WHAT YOU NEED
TO KNOW TO USE THESE INSTRUCITIONS:
a) how
to use a mouse on a computer, b) what the cursor is and c) how to place the cursor on the screen of the computer.
Helps to know
about a text box, however, this is explained in the directions.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Use
the mouse to move the cursor* (the arrow on your screen that is controlled by the mouse and moves around the screen as
you move the computer mouse) to the text box at the top of the page.
A text box generally will be a long, horizontal,
slim box to the right of the word "Address".
This long, slim text box should have a
URL address of http://www.whatever-page-you-are-on already written out in it. This generally appears automatically when you
access a site on the Internet (a website or web page). For example, while reading this page, you should see https://eqagent.tripod.com/lrfolio/id9.html in the text box.
a. Look
for the "http" or "www" prefix in order to identify the box properly.
b. OR if the box is blank—look for the long, slim oblong white area at the top of
the page.
2. If
the box contains a URL address, place the cursor arrow at the end of the address and left-click the mouse. This should
turn the url address that is in the text box blue. Then hit the “backspace” button in order to
erase the address that is already in the box.
a. If
the box is blank, move the arrow cursor to the left edge of the box with the mouse, and left click the mouse. There
should be a blinking vertical line on the left side of the text box.
3. Move
the cursor arrow over to the left end of the address/text box and click on the left side of the mouse. This should bring
up a blinking vertical line in the text box, and turn the cursor arrow into a solid line that you can move around with the
mouse, as you did the arrow.
Then, you may have to make one additional left click on the mouse.
Position the vertical line with the mouse at the left end of the text box and
simply key in (type in) the URL--the address of the website you want to access.
Then, hit the enter button on your keyboard; OR move the cursor over to the "GO"
button at the right end of the text box and double right click on that button with your mouse.
NOTE: Most of the time, you will NOT have to key in the http:// prefix--just start with the www prefix.
The computer should
automatically include the http://
HOWEVER, if using
just the www (followed by the website name/URL) is not successful, try one of the following:
A: add the http:// before the www address OR
B: do NOT use the www—just use the http:// before
the address OR
C: try not using either the http:// or the www prefixes before the URL address
D: If all else fails, try a fairly reliable website
URL to test your computer, browser and inputting. Examples of those that
“make it their business” to be up and running constantly are www.ebay.com; www.yahoo.com; or the home page for your browser or ISP--and any other website that is time-sensitive and time-dependent on the Internet. These will just provide you with a basic “baseline” check to make certain
that you are inputting the URL properly, and that your computer and browser are working properly.
If these are working properly, there may be a problem with the website you are trying to access. You generally should
receive an error msg on a seperate page if this is the case.
If you continue to
have problems, call your Internet Service Provider Help service or ask a person knowledgeable to watch you input to verify
that you are doing so correctly.
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*the mouse will generally
have a left side button and a right side button to control the cursor. Use the left side button for this procedure.
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This completes basic
instructions for accessing a URL. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
