Lesson 1

 browser
Optimizing Your Browser Framed | Unframed

 

Updating Your Browser


Having the latest version of a browser assures you of having the best security features with the lastest plug-ins to open media files and Acrobat files.  Unfortunately your browser does not include protection against viruses, so remember to update your anti-virus application as well.

 Mouse Race

 

Take this opportunity to update your browser and get a spare!

Most people have a preferred browser.   However, because the WWW is not a perfect place yet, it's a good idea to have two browsers, particularly if you are a Safari user.  Browser plug-ins (PC vs. Mac) are a challenge to web page designers.   Sometimes a feature exists on the perferred browser of one platform and not on the other.  Firefox, an open source browser, has worked to bridge the divide.

Check the version:

  • Sarari - Safari Preferences: About Safari
  • Internet Explorer - Help  Menu
  • Firefox  Win - Help Menu; Mac - Safari Preferences: About Firefox

 

Check for Update Options 
Most browsers will let you check for updates and update from the help menu. Try that option first.

  • Internet Explorer 6 & 7: Tools: Update  or Tools: Advanced Options: Automatically check for Updates, 
  • Safari (comes with automatic system updates);  Apple menu; software update
  • Firefox - Help Menu: Check for Updates

 

Get a Spare Browser
Not every browser displays elements the same.  Ever had this happen?

  • You are logged into one secure site and want to look up something on a second secure site, but can't without logging out first.
  • You are trying to make airline reservations and the menus don't work -- they don't pull down.
  • You find part of the page missing and your browser either tells you to get a plug-in or gives you an error message.
  • You are given an email message window and the toolbar is missing.

In Lesson 7 of this course, you will be using WebAccess, our version of Moodle (open source) to post messages on the forum.  Safari users will find that the browser does not display all the options.  In such a case, they will need to switch to Firefox.  Download it now, so you will be ready.

Both PC and Macintosh users should have Firefox as a spare.

 

BROWSER DOWNLOAD SITE
AOL


AOL  http://www.aol.com/downloads/

*AOL includes: an Internet connection, the Explorer browser; AOL Mail, AOL Net Mail, AOL Instant Messenger (chat) an extensive AOL web site where you can find just about anything.
Firefox Logo Firefox  http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
Internet Explorer logo

Internet Explorer
PC    http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/          (discontinued for Macintosh platform)

Opera Logo Opera  http://www.opera.com/download       (open source)
Safari

Apple's Safari for MacOS and Windows    http://www.apple.com/safari/

Resources

  1. IE7 Take a Tour, http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/community/columns/ie7_toolbar.mspx
  2. Safari. Tour, http://movies.apple.com/movies/us/apple/safari/2007/wwdc/apple-safari_672x416.mov
  3. Version Tracker   (PC/Mac) http://www.versiontracker.com/   (Can't find a file or a version?  Check Version Tracker.)
  4. Mac OS Downloads:  http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/
  5. Windows Downloads:  http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/downloads/default.aspx

Anti-Virus Applications

Once you have updated your browser, make sure your anti-virus application has updated its "virus definitions".   This will be covered in more detail in Lesson 4 Attachments.

AOL users can use AOL's Anti-virus program.

Resources
1. MacAfee, "Recently Discovered Viruses".  http://vil.mcafee.com/newVirus.asp
2. Computer Associates. "Virus Information Center". http://www.ca.com/us/anti-virus.aspx

 

 

Check your browser's capabilities!

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Centers for Teaching and Learning, San Mateo Community College District, CA USA    Updated  2/28/2010  by Sevastopoulos