Get to know the most used software program on your computer

When shopping for a new computer, people consider many variables such as screen size, memory, processor speed, price, and more. However, when it comes to choosing a web browser, most people have little idea what they’re using or why. Your web browser is an important piece of computer software that allows you to visit websites, and it is probably the most used software on your computer.

Most newbies use whatever web browser comes with their computer. For most PC owners running Windows, it’s Internet Explorer (or the little blue ‘e’), and for Mac owners it’s Safari. A previous noobie.com article took you inside Firefox and how you can improve your web browsing with add-ons. But there are other options too, like Opera and Google Chrome, and they are all free to download and use.

Understand your web browser

Web browsers communicate with web servers, turning pages and pages of programming code into a graphical representation that you can browse and enjoy. Because web browsers are separate software programs, you can download as many browsers as you like on your computer. When browsing, run them side by side to help you decide which one you like best, or switch between them based on your needs. You may find that different browsers have different features that you like for different tasks. And, some pages may look better in one browser than another.

Design Disaster Decoding

The variety of web browsers available and their frequent version updates pose a challenge for web designers. When building a site, they need to make sure that every browser on every type of operating system (Mac OS X, Windows, etc.) is reading and interpreting the code correctly, giving it the visual representation they intended. More complicated designs and less tested sites are at higher risk of miscommunication. So if you come across a site where text and images overlap or menus don’t expand as they should, try opening the page in another browser for a better experience.

making a change

Do you still feel indifferent with your browser? It plays an important role and, fortunately, you have options. Google has created a tool that helps you learn more about web browsers and encourages you to shop around. Going to http://www.whatbrowser.org, a tool created “by some folks at Google,” will tell you what browser you’re currently using. A one minute video does a great job of explaining the important role of your web browsing software, and you can follow the links to download alternative browsers available for your computer.

Whether you stick with your current browser or decide to make a change, http://www.whatbrowser.org also provides instructions for customizing your current browser. These commonly requested settings will help personalize your browsing experience. You may:

• Change your home page – Decide which page you want to appear when you first start your web browser.
• Designate a search engine preference – This is the search engine your browser will use when you type keywords into the browser’s search field.
• Choose a default browser: The default browser will open when you click on website links found in other applications, such as email or PDF files.