Volunteer Instructor: April Edmonds9/14/2009

Internet

For Seniors

April Edmonds

Internet Basics

For Seniors

http://

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Internet Basics

Course Length: 1 hour

Introduction

Course Objective: This course is a basic overview of the Internet using Internet

Explorer and the opportunity to become more comfortable with technology.

What is the Internet or World Wide Web (www)?

The Internet is made of many computers that are all connected world-wide. The

connection is like a spider web that is connected in the middle. The Internet

contains an infinite amount of information.

To Start Browsing the Web:

With your mouse, left click twice on the Internet Explorer icon from your desktop.

ADDRESS

SEARCH

HYPERLINKS

FORWARD

BACK

STOP REFRESH

HOME PRINT TOOL

OPTIONS

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TIP:

Using quotes around

your search terms

returns information

with only those

words. Example:

“health”

Moving Around:

To move to a particular Web address:

1. Left click once in the white box that says “ADDRESS” in the upper, gray

header of the Internet Explorer browser window. (Note the example shown

above is Internet Explorer version 7. It does not have the word “address”, just

the white box). USE THIS WHEN YOU KNOW THE EXACT WEB

ADDRESS. When using the address bar, we DO NOT use spaces between

letters or words.

2. Type www.google.com and press the ENTER key.

Hyperlink

To select a link on a Web page, left click once on the underlined works, which

called a link, or use the tab key until you see a frame around the desired link. When

the desired link is framed, press the “Enter” key.

Search

To search for something on the Web or when you do not

have the exact web address, left click once the “Search”

button in the browser toolbar, enter your keywords (e.g.

antique cars, dahlias) into the text entry box that appears

and press the “Enter” key. A list of Website links will appear

after a moment and you can select from these links. Typing

in antique cars will find Websites containing either of the two

words. Typing in antique+cars will find Websites containing

both of the two words. Typing in “antique cars” (including

the quotation marks) will find Websites containing the two

words in sequence just as you have typed them.

To return to the previously viewed Web page, click the “Back” button from the browser toolbar. Repeat to move further back through the WebPages you have viewed.

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Exercise:

1. Left click once in the search box.

2. Type in aarp, then press the ENTER key.

3. Left click once on links within the website.

Favorites

When you find a website that you like, you can save the link to your

favorites.

Look for the yellow star and the yellow star with a plus sign (graphic example

above).

Left-click once on the yellow star to show your favorites.

Left-click once on the yellow star with a plus sign to ADD a new favorite.

Customizing your Browser

Set your homepage

This is a website address that you set in the options. When you open Internet

Explorer, it is the first website that opens.

ADD SHOW ALL

Type in

Home Page

Website

Address here

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1. From the Menu Bar, locate the word “Tools”

2. Left-click once on “Tools”

3. Left-click once on “Internet Options”

4. Left-click once in the box under the words “Home Page”

5. Type in www.yahoo.com

Change text settings.

1. On the menu bar, locate the where it says “View”.

2. Left-click once on the word “View”.

3. Scroll down to the words “Text Size”.

4. Left-click once on “Text Size”. Move your mouse pointer over the arrow.

5. Scroll over to the text size “Larger”.

Internet Security

• Keep Your Personal Information Private.

• Never disclose your personal information; this includes your address,

birth date, Social Security number, and telephone number. If prompted for

this information, practice due diligence—investigate who is gathering the

information, why they are collecting it, and how they will use it.

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Secure Transactions

• Before using your credit card or debit card online to purchase something,

make sure the website address has https. The “s” is for secure.

https://

• This protects you from your credit card numbers from being stolen. If you do

NOT see the “s”, do NOT put in your credit card number.

• Keep Your Password(s) Secret.

Cookies

Cookies are like a “footprint”. Every time you surf to a website, a cookie is placed on

your computer. The cookie in returns tells the website you are visiting information

about you. To delete cookies:

1. Open Internet Explorer

2. Left-click once on “Tools”

3. Left-click once on “Internet Options”

4. Left-click once on “Delete Cookies Button”

Anti-virus Software

Like a cold, a computer virus will try to shut down or damage your computer. Once

your computer gets a cold, it can spread to other computers. To protect your

computer you will need anti-virus software installed. Your anti-virus software should

be set to constantly monitor your system using “real-time monitoring,” and you

should be sure your virus definitions are kept up to date.

Additional security information can be found at this website address:

http://secureflorida.org/

Sites of interest:

CNN News – http://www.cnn.com WebMD – http://www.webmd.com

Medicare – http://www.medicare.gov SeniorNet - http://www.seniornet.org

Weather – http://www.weather.com Security Admin. – http://www.ssa.gov

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Glossary

AOL

AOL, short for America Online, provides both Internet Access and special content to

its subscribers for a monthly fee. (http://www.aol.com)

Browser

A software application which displays Websites and simplifies navigating (browsing)

among the many available sites. Examples: Internet Explorer, FireFox or Chrome.

E-mail

E-mail is a way to communicate, almost instantly, with people anywhere in the world

at low or no cost. Text, pictures, sound, and video can be sent via email.

Internet (or “the Net”)

The Internet is a global network of computers, connected together 24 hours a day, 7

days a week. These computers store vast amounts of information, and the

networks can transmit that information extremely quickly. This makes the Internet an

amazing information and communications resource. The Internet provides a way to

quickly see lots and lots of information such as pictures, sound and video on almost

any subject.

ISP

Short for Internet Service Provider. Internet Service Providers provide Internet

access to those (for a monthly fee) who do not have their own Internet-connected

server computer. Popular ISP’s are Comcast or local phone company using digital

subscriber line (DSL).

On-line

When someone is online, it usually means the person is operating a computer that

is connected to the Internet (permanently or via a temporary, telephone line

connection or high-speed access). An online resource is a resource that can be

accessed via the Internet.

Search Engine

A special type of Website that allows you to search for particular types of Websites

and then access those Websites easily. Most popular is Google

(http://www.google.com).

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Need extra computer time?

The Leon County Library has computers are available for public use during regular

library hours on a first-come, first served basis. Each patron is given 2 - one hour

sessions on Internet computers. Printing is available and shall be limited to a

reasonable amount.

The Tallahassee Senior Center has computers available for seniors use during

regular hours. For additional information call: 891-4000.

Additional Resources

Local Library – http://www.leoncountyfl.gov/LIBRARY

Technology Dictionary - http://www.techterms.com/

Learn The Net - http://www.learnthenet.com/english/index.html

References:

2007. Stuur, Addo. Windows XP for Seniors. ISBN: 978-90-5905-044-0.

Http://visualsteps.com

Resources provided by the Tallahassee Senior Center Computer Lab.

2002. City of Seattle. Training Manual – Seniors Training Seniors in Technology.

Retrieved August 1, 2009, from http://www.seattle.gov/tech/seniors/toc.htm Special

thanks to City of Seattle for allowing permission to use content from their Seniors

Training Manual series.

2009. Learn Free. Retrieved September 10, 2009, from

http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computer/