Information Technology

Icons in the internet environment

Introducing Windows Internet Explorer

A typical Windows Internet Explorer consists of four main parts known as bars. Each of the bars has a
number of buttons displayed as icons. The following are the four main parts found on a web browser:

1. Menu Bar
2. Navigation Bar
3. Location Bar
4. Display Window

The menu bar

This bar is found at the top of the screen if you are using internet Explorer. All browsers will have most
of the following options, but they may have a different name.

1. File: Opens, saves, prints and exits files. This menu is similar to other office programs.
2. Edit: Allows you to cut, copy and paste some web documents.
3. View: Gives you options for customizing you web browser.
4. Favourites: Allows you to store links or go to your favourites Web pages.
5. Tools: Provides quick access to news and email programs, as well as options to personalize your
browser.
6. Help: Gives you access to information and tips that are related to Internet Explorer.

The navigation bar

All browsers will have most of the options listed below, but they may have different names. As a result
of the navigation bar, your browser remembers where you have been before. Normally, the options on a
navigation bar are displayed as icons.

1. Back: shows you the last web page you were on.
2. Forward: Sends you ahead to the next web page. You are only able to use this button when you
have previously used the Back button.
3. Stop: Stops a website from loading. This is useful if you change your mind while waiting for a
page to load.
 4. Refresh: Reloads a page that is not being display or is being displayed improperly. Sometimes
pages run into problems when they are loading. Using the Refresh button can help if pages are
taking too long to load.
5. Home: This button returns you to your ‘home’ web page. Your ‘home’ web page is a web page
that is set to always show up when you first start your browser.
6. Search: Opens a search program that helps you find key words on the internet.
7. Favourites: Opens a list of web site addresses saved by the user.
8. Mail: Opens the computer’s email programs.
9. Print: prints the web page you are currently looking at.

The location bar

1. Address line: holds the address of the website you are currently at. You can also type the
address of a website you would like to go to in this box.
2. Drop down arrow: Clicking on this arrow will open a list of recently entered addresses.

Network groups

A network group refers to a group of people with related interests that come together with the aim of
forming a group on a computer network. Often, the internet is the most popular system for forming a
network group.

Guidelines for starting or joining a network group

Educational groups

These are groups which exist to provide forums for teachers and students to learn and share knowledge.
Some network groups used for educational purposes are as follows:

 Students Circle Network

 Openstudy.com (now called brainly.com)
 Goconqr.com etc.

Creating your own study group on Facebook

Many social networking sites make provisions for their users to create groups and communicate within
the site. The steps to creating a study group are as follows;

1. Login to Facebook or create an account if you do not have one yet.

2. Click the button arrow at the top right-hand corner of the Facebook title bar. A drop down menu
opens with a list of options.
3. Select “Create Group” from the menu. Enter the group details and select your preferred privacy
option. Click ‘Create’ when you are finished. Personalize the group by uploading a cover picture
and adding a description.
4. Alternatively, from the lower left corner of your Facebook home page, click o create and select
‘Group’ from the menu items.

To add new members to an already created Facebook group:

1. Go to the group you want to add members to click ‘Add Members’ below the group photo.
2. Enter the names of the people you want to add and then click ‘Add’.
3. You can also add people by entering their name or email below ‘Add Members’ I the right of the
group page. For all types of groups (Public, Closed or Secret), group members can add anyone
who is a friend of someone in the group.