- Please ask immediately if I use words you don't understand.
What is a browser and how does it work?
The browser is the software that enables you to see the content of the Internet (i.e. a web page). When you want to see a web page you enter an address (URL Uniform Resource Locator) into your browser's address bar or you click on a link.
Your browser goes with this address into the Internet, turns it into a number and finds the location (server) where this page is stored. It then requests a copy of this pages and shows it to you "at home" on your screen. This process takes a few seconds only, even if the website is stored in the US, Australia or Moscow!
Mozilla Firefox — why do we recommend this browser?
- High level of security
- Cross-platform Open Source web browser - it runs on Windows, Linux and Mac
- Cutting-edge software written by people to help you improve your Internet experience
- Packed with lots of features
- Fully Customizable
- A passionate community
- 100% organic software - Firefox is good for you: it stands for openness, innovation and freedom on the Internet.
We will explore this more in detail in the coming weeks.
How do I get Firefox?
You can download Firefox from the Internet from the Firefox website.. Download it onto your Desktop (take care that you download the English version) and double-click it. Follow the installation instructions. Firefox will ask you to import your Favorites from Internet Explorer. It wants to know whether Firefox should be your default browser. What is your default browser?
Should you face problems please call the Blue Light office 2622500 and we will assist you in the installation.
What is what?
- Bookmarks Toolbar (Personal address bar)
The personal address bar gives quick access to your most commonly used bookmarks - What is a bookmark? - Home page (start-up page)
This is the page that opens automatically every time you open Firefox. - Location bar (Internet address bar)
In the address bar you see the address of the present web page. This address is also called URL (Uniform Resource Locator). - Integrated Web Search
Searching the Web is a breeze with the search box inline, just to the right of your location bar. Use the web engine of your choice to search by typing directly into the box. The width is adjustable so you can make it bigger if you need more space. - Status bar
The status bar gives you information about what Firefox is doing. It is a good idea to pay attention to it while browsing.
Go to the Auroville.org website Hover over the different parts of the website: The images, buttons, links, email addresses. Compare what you see on the website with the information displayed in the status bar.
What is a link (Internet address)?
Internet address belong to a Domain like yahoo.com or auroville.org.
Examples:
http://wiki.bluelightav.org/display/BLUE/Blue+Light+Wiki+Home
Your browser goes with this address into the Internet, turns it into a number and finds the location (server) where this page is stored. It then requests a copy of this pages and shows it to you "at home" on your screen.
Save a bookmark
Information
In Blue Light you will work in Linux, particularly in Ubuntu. Don't worry, the differences will be minor between our set-up and yours at home.
Things to know: Bookmarks Toolbar – Bookmarks Menu – folder structures –
Open Firefox and load a page of your choice i.e auroville.org . What if you want to save this link? What is the difference between saving the web page and link? What means to bookmark this link?
Bookmark the following links:
fs.auroville.org.in
wiki.auroville.org.in
yahoo.co.in
gmail.com
google.co.in
How do I organise my bookmarks?
Organising bookmarks
Under Bookmarks go to Organise Bookmarks. Make a new folder Internet class on the Bookmarks Toolbar and move all your saved links into it. Close the window and check in Firefox what happened.
Then go back to Organise Bookmarks and move the folder Internet class from your Bookmarks Toolbar to your Booksmarks Menu.
How do I send my homework?
Try to avoid doing the homework in the last minute but rather do them in time and email them to bluelight.training@gmx.com. Please do not use the bluelight@auroville.org.in address.
This gives us time to look into what you did and give you some feedback. It is a requirement to do the homework to be able to follow the classes.
You find all lessons and homework here
You might want to take the time and go once more through the lesson to recall what you learned.
You can copy and paste the questions into an email and answer them. In case you don't know the answer you could try to paste the question into google.co.in or the wiki
- Download and install Firefox
- Go to the following webpages and bookmark them in Firefox
- Read the information about the Mozilla Foundation below.
- What is the connection between the Mozilla Foundation and Firefox?
- Why could the intention stated below in the blue box be important for you?
Information about the Mozilla Foundation
What is the Mozilla Foundation?
Mozilla Foundation is a public benefit, not-for-profit organization devoted to enriching people's lives by preserving choice and innovation on the Internet (as opposed to being motivated by profits, shareholder value, usage of proprietary technology, etc.)
Mozilla is a global, grassroots effort - Mozilla's products are a result of a collaboration between employees, volunteers, universities, foundations and corporate partners. Firefox was created by an international movement of hundreds of thousands of people from wildly different backgrounds, all seeking to develop the world's best browser.
Open source means a better browser for the 120 million regular Firefox users. The process is open to anyone and everyone in order to encourage the innovation and development of exciting new technologies that will keep pushing the web forward and making it a better place for all.
- What is the difference between the Bookmarks Toolbar and the Bookmarks Menu?
- What is the default browser on a computer system?
- The appearance of an internet link can be deceptive. Where is the place to check what you really get when you click on it?
- What is the difference between the Location Bar and the Integrated Web Search?
- Firefox is a cross platform software. What does that means? What is the advantage for you?
- Why is it important that your browser is safe? What can be the consequences of insecure software on your computer system?
- Repeat the exercise Organising bookmarks above on your computer.