Unit 2 | Apps and the Internet
Browsers and Search Engines
Pre-requisites:
Understanding this section requires some knowledge of the internet. It's a good idea to read the sections listed below before reading this section. Click the links (the blue text) below to go to the prerequisite sections, or use the sidebar on the left.
Why browsers?
After reading about websites, web pages, and web addresses, you may have questions like:
- How do I visit a website?
- Do I have to know the address of a web page I want to visit? That seems like a lot to memorize.
- Do I have to remember the addresses of web pages I've been to so I can go back to them later?
A web browser can handle all of these tasks for you. There is no memorizing of addresses necessary!
What is a web browser?
A web browser is a tool that provides you the ability to browse web pages on the internet. There will almost always be a web browser available on any computer, phone, or tablet you are using.
You use a web browser to navigate to various websites on the internet. If you have the web address you want to go to, you can type that in and go straight to the web page. However, you often wonât know the name of the website that has the information you want, let alone the exact address of a particular web page. Instead of going directly to a web page, you can use the browser to search for keywords related to what you are looking for. It will provide you with a list of web pages that are likely to be relevant to your search. We will show an example of this later.
Some commonly used web browsers and their icons are shown below. They all have similar features, but are owned and created by different companies.
Opening and using a web browser:
When you want to go to a website, you will have to open a web browser first. This involves locating the icon of a web browser on your screen and clicking on it (click with a mouse if youâre using a computer, and click with your finger if using a phone or tablet.) Any of the example browsers above will work, but we will be using Google Chrome for example purposes.
Note: Where exactly you can find a web browser icon on your device will vary depending on what kind of device you have. A web browser is a type of app, and there are more details about opening and closing apps in part 2 of this section.
After clicking a web browser icon, you would see a window like the one below pop up on your screen. A window is a rectangular section of your screen that displays information.
Image source: https://www.windowslatest.com/2021/10/02/heres-our-first-look-at-google-chromes-new-design-for-windows-11/
This is a web browser window. Here is a video that describes how to use some of the basic functions of a web browser:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxirRVJWUTs&t=200s
After watching the video, you can check your understanding with the following quiz.
Quick Quiz If you want to return to the page you were previously looking at, which button should you click? The forward button The new tab button The back button The menu button
Answer: b)
The back button has a back arrow like this: â, and is usually in the top left corner.
Which is the best browser that everyone should use? Google Chrome Firefox Safari There is no objective answer. Itâs up to your personal preference. Answer: d)
Test your understanding
Which is the best browser that everyone should use?
Google Chrome
This is a good web broswer, but it is not the best one.
Firefox
This is a good web broswer, but it is not the best one.
Safari
This is a good web broswer, but it is not the best one. Also, it is only available on devices made by the company Apple, so not everyone can use it.
There is no one best browser. It is up to personal preference.
This is correct! Some people have a strong preference for one web browser, but there is no objective answer for which is the best. They all perform the same basic functions, so you can use any of them.
Downloading and uploading:
Image source: https://computingincpm.wordpress.com/2018/10/17/downloading-uploading/
When you take information on the internet and store it on your device, this is called downloading. For instance, you might download images from a web page so that you can use them in a document you are working on. When you take information from your device and store it on the internet, this is called uploading. For instance, you might upload a document so that you can email it to your boss to read.
Note: Some files are created with bad intentions to cause harm to your device, and it is dangerous to download them. See the cybersecurity section for more information on how to stay safe when downloading files.
Search engines and how to make a search:
One of the most common things you use a web browser for is making searches. You make a search when you want information but you donât know what web address to find it at. This way, you donât have to know the exact web address you want to go to. If you had to know the web address, it would be a lot to memorize and type in!
Image source: https://www.windowslatest.com/2021/10/02/heres-our-first-look-at-google-chromes-new-design-for-windows-11/ (source image has been annotated)
In the image above, the search bar is labeled in red. If you click on this area, type in words on your keyboard, and then hit the enter key, you will initiate a search of the internet for whatever you have typed. Many web browsers also allow you to make searches in the address bar just like in the search bar.
If you want to know what the weather is in Vancouver, you could type âVancouver weatherâ in the search bar or address bar and then hit the enter key. This is what you might see when you make this search:
A search engine is the system that takes the words you searched and finds relevant web pages. The most commonly used search engine is operated by the company Google, which is why people often say they are âgoogling somethingâ when they are searching for something on the internet.
When making searches, it is most effective to only enter the keywords that relate to your search. For instance, it would be more effective to look up âweather vancouverâ compared to âwhat is the weather in vancouver today?â Here is a video that explains in more detail how to make a good internet search:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RlB1CJovTs
Test your understanding
If you are looking for a pizza restaurant in Vancouver, what should you search on Google:
Where can I find pizza in Vancouver?
This search could be more concise, as only the key words "pizza" and "Vancouver" are important. However, this search is an OK option and would probably still return the desired results from most search engines.
Best pizza restaurants
This search is a bit vague and you may get search results from many places other than Vancouver. The place name Vancouver is an important key word to include.
vancouver pizza places
This is a concise search with all the neccessary key words! Some other good searches would be "Best pizza vancouver" or "pizza restaurants Vanouver."
Google, can you please tell me where the best pizza restaurant in Vancouver is? Thank you.
This is a very polite but long-winded way to word the question. Only the keywords "pizza" and "Vancouver" are important, and maybe also the words "best" and "restaurant." The other words are unneccessary at best, and may give you the wrong search results at worst.