As more and more technology is moving online (or into the cloud) the most important tool your business needs to be familiar with is your internet browser (this term is interchangeable with “web-browser” or just plain “browser”). Take AppFolio Property Manager, for example. AppFolio is a web-based property management software program that you access over the internet using your browser.
I will be creating a series of videos designed to make the work you do in your internet browser easier. Whether you are using internet based software for the first time, or are already a power user, these videos will cover a range of browser features that will help you get the most from your web-based software.
In this first video I go over the core set of features you can expect to find in any major browser (these browsers include: Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer). For this demonstration I am using the AppFolio-recommended Firefox browser.
Glossary of Terms
Internet – A global system of interconnected computer networks.
Internet Browser or Web Browser – An application to retrieve information on the internet and display it in a human readable format. Examples of this include Firefox (AppFolio’s recommended browser), Internet Explorer (The default on windows), Google Chrome, and Safari (The default on Macs).
Browser Window – The window that appears on your screen when you open an Internet Browser.
Title Bar – The bar at the top of the browser window. This bar usually contains text that describes the contents of the page.
Navagation Buttons – The set of buttons towards the top left of the browser window which provide the ability to move between web pages.
Address Bar – The large bar in the top center of the browser window. This bar contains text showing the Web Address or URL* of the current page. The Web Address or URL is an unique piece of text which tells the Internet browser how to find a specific web page. This text can be edited to go directly to a known web page. press and hold the cntrl key and press the L key to jump to editing the text in this bar.
Search Bar – This bar is found in the top right corner of the browser window. Typing in this bar will use the pre-selected search engine to search the internet for relevant information. Press and hold the cntrl key and press the K key to jump to editing the text in this bar.
Tool Bar – The customizable set of tools that appear at the top of the browser window. Most browsers have a favorites or bookmarks tool bar included.
Tabs Bar – Contains the set of open tabs in that window. Tabs allow you to have multiple web pages open at the same time. This makes it easier to switch between web pages and reduces desktop clutter by needing fewer windows.
Status Bar – shows the current status of a page as it is loaded. The standard progression includes: connecting, waiting, transferring data, done. This bar also shows the destination web address or URL of any link over which the cursor is hovering.
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