Browsing online
25 Jun 2013
What browser do you use to surf the internet? While one will come pre-loaded onto your computer, it’s not necessarily the one you need to use.
Your Internet browser is a software application that allows you to browse the online world.
When purchasing a new computer, more often than not it will come with a browser pre-installed.
There are multiple Internet browsers available on the market for free, so don’t feel that just because a browser came with your computer that you have to stick with it.
Rather, do your research and settle on a browser that you find easy to navigate and that suits your needs.
Safari
The Safari browser comes pre-installed on all Apple Macintosh devices, including desktop computers, laptops, iPhones and iPads.
Safari has all the standard features of a browser, including tabbed browsing, bookmarks, an integrated search engine, security features such as a pop-up blocker, Help support and browsing history.
Safari also has a number of its own unique features.
An extremely user-friendly feature of Safari is that there is one field to type search terms and web addresses. As you type in the field Safari predicts your search term and suggests the closest website match to what you are looking for.
If you have an iPad or iPhone, Safari can use iCloud to remember the pages you were viewing on your computer and reopen the same pages on your tablet or phone.
Another standout feature of Safari is the Offline reading List, which stores content from web pages in your reading list that you can continue to read even when you aren’t connected to the Internet.
Intuitive features such as spell check, zoom and a feature that automatically fills in your contact details on forms, makes Safari a very user-friendly browser. Safari comes pre-installed on all Macintosh products, however PC users can download a Windows compatible version from www.apple.com/support.
Internet Explorer
Microsoft’s Internet Explorer is most commonly used on a PC.
The latest version, Internet Explorer 10 makes the most of the space on your screen, hiding the web address bar and tabs while not in use, making it perfect for viewing videos, images and long web articles. All you need to do to reveal the address bar is right-click at the bottom of the screen and it will re-appear.
Like Safari, Internet Explorer uses what is aptly named One Box to search and type web addresses. However, unlike Safari, when entering a search term in Internet Explorer once you have your result, the box doesn’t switch to a web page URL, the search term remains so it can be further refined.
Microsoft has gone to great lengths to make Internet Explorer customisable and intuitive. Users favourite web pages can be dragged and pinned to your Start or ‘home page’ that automatically opens when you launch Internet explorer. These pages appear as easily identifiable tiles and can be saved in multiple numbers, easily accessed by scrolling between screens.
A Tracking Protection feature protects users from third-party tracking. Much like being on a telemarketer ‘do not call’ list, tracking protection stops sites mapping your browsing behaviour and in turn prevents them targeting you with advertising. The latest version of Internet Explorer can be downloaded from http://windows.microsoft.com.
Google Chrome
Google Chrome can be used across multiple devices, including computers, iPhones, iPads and android devices.
By logging into Chrome you can access your bookmarks, apps, history and other settings across all your devices. Anything you update on one device will automatically be updated everywhere else.
Google Chrome allows for multiple users to hold accounts on the one computer, which protects privacy and prevents your bookmarked pages getting mixed up with the rest of your family members’.
Google Chrome is customisable to your needs, down to being able to change the colour scheme of your browser.
A standout aspect of Chrome is the number of privacy preferences it offers users. The Incognito Mode allows users to browse the web without the pages they visit or their downloads being recorded. There is also a built in feature in Chrome that allows you to block advertisers targeting you with personalised ads based on your browsing behaviour.
Google Chrome is simple to use and pre-emptive of your needs.
Chrome can be downloaded at www.google.com/chrome.
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