Technology Tips
Web Browser Tips
| What | Why | How |
|---|---|---|
| search for text on a page | to find a word or phrase on a long page of text | IE: Edit | Find (on This Page)
or Ctrl-F Firefox: Edit | Find in this page or Ctrl-F |
| open a link or blank page in a new window or tab | to explore current and new pages separately | right-click the link and then: IE: click Open in new window Firefox: click Open Link in New Window or Open Link in New Tab |
| open links for other applications in a new window | to explore links in e-mail messages and other applications separately | Firefox: Tools | Options | Advanced | Tabbed Browsing | Open links from other applications in: a new window |
| view HTML source | to repair pages or see how they were created | IE: View | Source Firefox: View | Page Source |
| change the home (start) page | to always open a page when the browser starts | IE: Tools | Internet Options | General | Home Page; type URL
in address box or click Use Current, Use Default or Use Blank; click OK Firefox:Tools | Options | General | Home Page; type URL in Locations box or click Use Current Page, Use Bookmark or Use Blank Page; click OK |
| rearrange bookmarks/favorites into folders | to organize bookmarks into folders containing manageable lists | IE: Favorites | Organize Favorites Firefox: Bookmarks | Manage Bookmarks |
| increase/decrease font size | to read the text and use screen space well | Hold down Ctrl and scroll the mouse wheel, or: IE: View | Text Size | Largest, Larger, Medium, Smaller, or Smallest Firefox: View | Text Size | Increase, Decrease or Normal; or Ctrl-+ or Ctrl-- |
| print background colors and images | to look more like the original web page (but it uses more printer ink) | IE: Tools | Internet Options | Advanced | Printing | Print
background colors and images Firefox: File | Page Setup | Options | Print Background (colors & images) |
| turn on/off JavaScript | to use programmed features of some sites, or avoid it for security or to load pages faster | IE: Tools | Internet Options | Security | Internet | Custom
Level | Scripting | Active Scripting | Enable or Disable Firefox: Tools | Options | Web Features | check/uncheck Enable JavaScript |
| turn on/off images | to use images, or avoid them for security or to load pages faster | IE: Tools | Internet Options | Advanced | Multimedia | Show
pictures Firefox: Tools | Options | Web Features | check/uncheck Load Images |
| turn on/off popup windows | to use popups on some sites, or to avoid them for security (recommended on most sites) | Google toolbar: click popup blocker button Firefox: Tools | Options | Web Features | check/uncheck Block Popup Windows |
| turn on/off stylesheets | to ignore the provided stylesheet, to use your own stylesheet, or to test a site for accessibility | IE: Tools | Internet Options | General tab | Accessibility |
Format documents using my style sheet Firefox: View | Page Style | No Style (off) or Basic Page Style (on) |
| select default font sizes, styles and colors | to view non-formatted pages with a format you prefer | IE: Tools | Internet Options | General tab | Accessibility |
Colors or Fonts Firefox: Tools | Options | General | Fonts & Colors |
| clear browser cache, history, cookies, or all privacy settings | to speed up browsing, for privacy and security (but you will lose remembered information like passwords) | IE: Tools | Internet Options | General; click Delete Cookies,
Delete Files, and/or Clear History; click OK Firefox: Tools | Options | Privacy | click Clear for one group of items or Clear All for all items |