Internet Tips

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Computer Cookies

Cookies are small files placed on your computer by web sites. In general, they are harmless and help web sites keep track of information. A cookie may remember your name so that the web site can call you by name the next time you return. If you shop on line, the store's web site might use a cookie to store information about your favourite subjects, and later use that information to make valuable recommendations to you. 

ebay.com	amazon.com

Unfortunately, some sites require cookies to operate correctly, and the use of cookies is so widespread that trying to do without them can be more annoying than the cookies themselves. Browsers can be set to warn you before accepting cookies, but this option often results in seeing dozens and dozens of warnings with little productive work occurring on the web.

Deleting Computer Cookies and Temporary Internet Files

If you are using Internet Explorer to view the web, you can delete cookies that have built up on your computer.

1. From the Tools menu select Internet Options. 
   
   
    

2. Click on the button or .

Deleting Cookies

1. After clicking on Delete Cookies, the following dialog box is displayed:
   
   
    

2. Click OK.

Deleting Files

1. After clicking on Delete Files, the following dialog box is displayed:
   
   
    

2. Check Delete All Offline Content.
   This deletes additional files, such as website images, that have also been stored on your computer.

3. Click OK.

Find on This Page

Search engines provide a list of websites that contain the words or phrases for which you have searched. However, once you go to a recommended website, it can be difficult to find your subject on the page. This is especially true on a long page. You may scroll and scroll, reading through all the text looking for what you want.

This is where the menu item called Find on This Page is useful:

1. From the Edit menu select Find (on This Page).
   (Or press Ctrl F)
    

2. Type in the word you are looking for.

3. Click on .
   The first instance of the word is highlighted.

4. Click to see the next instance.

This can quickly help you find information on the page.

There are times where the word you are looking for cannot be found anywhere on the page. This usually happens because the page has changed recently. The web is constantly changing and even the best search engines can't keep up!

Page Not Found

When you start using the Internet and it will not be long before you get an error page. 

It often says: This page cannot be found or HTTP Error 404 Page Not Found.

This means that the computer on the Internet cannot locate the page that you asked for.

This can happen for a number of different reasons.  Many people immediately assume that they've done something wrong but that is not necessarily the case.

Possible Reasons for Page Not Found

• A brief mix-up between computers.
  Refresh the page using the refresh button in the standard toolbar.
   

• Misspelling or mistyping.
  Look for mistakes in the address.

• The web creator or owner may have changed, moved, or deleted the page you are looking for. Even if the web site exists, old pages may be removed or the name may have changed - and you receive an error when you look for the original.

• Old links may be inaccurate. When one web site links to another, the links must be constantly checked and updated for accuracy. This doesn't always happen. Some websites, created years ago, are not maintained.

• The server computer could be having problems. If you know the address is correct, try again later.

Setting Your Home Page

Home page is a term that really has two meanings. Every website has a home page - usually the first page you see when you go to that website.

But you have a home page too. It's the first page you see when you connect to the Internet. Usually your ISP or your computer sets this for you, but you are free to change it.

Setting Your Home Page

1. View the page you want as your home page.

2. From the Tools menu select Internet Options.

3. On the General tab, click the Use Current button.

The next time you start Internet Explorer, it will initially display this page.

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