Saving a Web Address

This lesson is on how to save an address.  An address looks like this: http://www.family.org. Sometimes you'll find a cool website when you're surfing and you'll want to save it so you can come back later.

1. To save the address in Internet Explorer, go to the "Favorites" toolbar at the top of the screen and click on "Add to Favorites." You can just add it or you can put it in one of those folders that are already there so their more organized. You can also create your own folder if you don't like the default ones.

2. For Netscape, you need to "Bookmarks" at the top of the screen and click on "Add Bookmark." To organize your links, go to Bookmarks and then click on the "File Bookmarks" or "Manage Bookmarks." link. The latter has more options to work with.

3. If you want to save a webpage onto your computer, then you need to go to "File" and then "Save as..." in Internet Explorer, but make sure you change the file type (located next to "Save as type") to "Web Page, HTML only (*.htm;*.html)". For Netscape, you do the same thing, but you don't need to worry about changing the file type.  (For more information, see my other "How-To" guide on saving.)

What happens if you are surfing, find a cool website and then forget to add it to Favorites (AKA: "bookmarking a website")??? 

1. Well, in Internet Explorer, you can click on "View" (at the top of the browser) and then "Explorer Bar" and then "History" and it'll bring up a list for you to choose from. It'll give you a set of days to pick and you click on the appropriate link. You can also search for a certain word/phrase. 

a. Other ways to bring up "History:" Push the sundial icon that's in the second toolbar underneath the line that says "File," "Edit," "View," etc. It's to the left of the printer icon...or you can just push CTRL+H.

2. Netscape is a little different. In version 4.x to 5.x, you need to go to "Communicator," then  "Tools" and finally "History."  In version 6.2 you have to click on "Tasks," then "Tools," and then "History." It also has the option of just hitting CTRL+H. 

* But what should you do if someone sends you a link in an email that you want to save?
* To save that link to your Favorites/Bookmarks, you'll probably have to copy and paste that address into your address bar. Some email programs allow you to click on the link and they open a new window with that address in it. Hotmail opens a new window, but it messes up the address. 
* If yours messes with the address, just copy the address and open a new window (by pushing CTRL+N or going into "File --> New --> Window.) and then paste that address in there.
* Then follow the above instructions!


Note: The reason I change the file type is that when you save it as to "Web Page, Complete (*.htm;*.html)" then you end up with a bunch of little icons in a folder that you don't need. If you want all the pictures and extra junk on the web site, then save it Completely, otherwise, forget it. It takes up a lot more space if you do it that way! If you have a big hard drive, then you probably don't care. 

Addendum: It should be mentioned that accessing your stored bookmarks/favorites is as easy as a click of a button. Just go to the "Favorites" menu in Explorer and click on the appropriate link/title. To do the same thing in Netscape, you go to "Bookmarks."
If you need another copy or an updated version of this paper, go to the homeschool website and download it:  http://iowahomeschool.tripod.com