|  | 1.2 | The Basics of Computer Software
| 1.2.2 | Lab: Verify Web browser configuration

A Web browser acts on behalf of a user by:

- contacting a Web server
- requesting information
- receiving information
- displaying the results on a screen

A browser is software that interprets hypertext markup language (HTML) – the language used to code Web page content. HTML can display graphics and play sound, movies, and other multimedia files. Hyperlinks - computer program commands that point to other places inside a PC, or on a network - connect to other Web pages and to files that can be downloaded.

| Lab Activity
| In this lab, you will learn how to use a Web browser to access Internet sites and become familiar with the concept of a URL..

The two most popular/common browsers are Internet Explorer (IE) and Netscape Communicator. Here are some of the similarities and differences between these two browsers:

[Place the cursor of your mouse over the numbers in the animation to the left to view different

examples of Internet applications.]

Netscape

- first popular browser
- takes less disk space
- considered by many to be simple to use
- displays HTML files, does e-mail and file transfers, and other functions

| Web Links
| Netscape

Internet Explorer (IE)

- powerfully connected to other Microsoft products
- takes more disk space
- considered more difficult to use
- displays HTML files, does e-mail and file transfers, and other functions

| Web Links
| Microsoft

Plug-ins

There are also many special, or proprietary, file types that standard Web browsers are not able to display. To view these files you must configure your browser to use plug-in applications. These applications work in conjunction with the browser to launch the program required to view the special files.

- Flash

- plays multimedia files; created by Macromedia Flash

| Web Links
| Flash Player

Example: Installing the Flash Plug-in.

1. Go to the Macromedia Web site.
2. Download .exe file. (flash32.exe)
3. Run and install in Netscape or Internet Explorer (IE).
4. Test whether you can run a quiz and a movie.

Beyond getting your computer configured to view the Web-based curriculum, you can use computers to perform many other useful tasks. In business, employees regularly use a set of applications that come in the form of an office suite, such as Microsoft Office. The office applications typically include spreadsheet software, a word processor, database management software, presentation software, and a personal information manager including an email utility. Spreadsheet software contains tables consisting of columns and rows and is often used with formulas to process and analyze data. A word processor is an application used to create and edit text documents. Modern word processors allow the user to create sophisticated documents, which include graphics and richly formatted text. Database software is used to store, maintain, organize, sort, and filter records – a record is a collection of information identified by some common theme, such as customer name. Presentation software is used to design and develop presentations to deliver at meetings, classes, or sales presentations. Personal information managers include such things as email, contact lists, a calendar, and a to do list. Office applications are now as much a part of everyday work today as typewriters were before the personal computer.

| Web Links
| Exploring the World-Wide Web
| Browser Basics