page created 6.1.04

Once you been able to connect to the Internet, the next step is to beable to move about (surf). The main way to do this is by using the world wide web (www) and the web sites on it. Otherwise you can use FTP and before www gopher to find data files and communicate with people on the Internet. The main way to get about on the Internet is by using hyperlinks, hyperlinks are pictures or text that you click on and they then send you to another web site / page address. The next problem is finding hyperlinks that send you to web sites / pages you want to view. The best way to find hyperlinks that interest you are by using search engines and directories. Search engines allow you to search online databases of web sites and directories are lists of web sites for certain categories.

Search Engines - Google, Fast, AskJeeves - Teoma, Yahoo
Directories - ODP, Looksmart, Yahoo, BBCi

• Your connection is slow or your modem is slow
• Traffic on the Web site you are loading is heavy
• The web page contains large files such as pictures, or the html source code is large

Solutions:

• Buy a faster modem or connection
• Download the latest version of your browser software
• Browse during off-peak hours
• Turn of images so the pages just load as text