Internet Basics

Older Americans are getting wired. According to a study by Pew Internet and American Life, the percentage of Americans age 65 and older who use the Internet has increased by 47% since 2000. Twenty-two percent of those 65 and older go online, up from 15% in 2000. While this is a low number when compared to the rest of the population, the percentages are expected to soar in coming years. The study revealed that 58% of U.S. adults age 50 to 64 use the Internet and are often just as enthusiastic as younger users.

If you're just starting out on the Internet, read our following guide to the web and get the basics!

What is the Internet?
The Internet, or World Wide Web, is a global network of computers that allows people across the world to communicate and access information.

What is an Internet browser?
An Internet browser is the software that allows you to access the Internet and view Web sites. There are many different types of Internet browsers. The most commonly used are Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator.

What is a Web site?
A Web site is information that has its own specific area on the Internet, reserved through an Internet address or URL (uniform resource locator). An address or URL looks like the following: http://www.retiredamericans.org and can be found in the address bar of the Internet browser.

How do I get to a Web site?
To get to a specific Web site type the URL into the address bar. The address bar can be found at the top of your screen. Move your mouse over the address bar, click inside the bar and then type the URL or address of the site here precisely as it is seen when you visit the site.

The address of a Web site is similar to a telephone number, for instance if you dial the wrong number you will either get the wrong person or the operator will tell you to try your call again. If you type a Web address incorrectly you will either be brought to the wrong Web site or a page will appear that may read, "Page Not Found" or "web site not responding". In this case you just need to double check the address and type it in again. If a page still comes up that reads Web site not responding, try again at a later time.

What is a link?
A link is a text or a graphic that takes you to another Web page when you click on it. Links can appear in many different forms (they can look like a button, a picture, or can be a blue underlined line of text), but when you put your mouse over a link a hand will always appear and this is your indication that you can click on the link to get more information.

How do I return to the previous page after clicking on a link?
To return to a previous page you can click on the back button, which can be found on the top left-hand corner of the screen. If you are unable to click on the back button you may have to click on the small X button located on the top right hand corner of the page to close the current window.

How do I access a link sent to me by e-mail?
If someone sends you a link by e-mail you have to move your mouse over the link (in this case the link should look like a blue underlined line of text) and click on it for the web page to open.

How do I fill out an online form?
Many Web sites have forms so that you can sign up to be a member, give feedback, ask questions or make purchases. In a form there is text accompanied by a bar of space (a "form field"), for example:

To fill out the form, move your mouse to each field, click on it and type the appropriate text. Once you have finished writing in one field, move your mouse over to the next field click on it and type the appropriate text until you have filled out the entire form.  Once you have completed the form click on the submit button and you are all done!

How do I print a Web Page?
If you want to print information you have found on the Web, first check if there is a "printer friendly" version. If you are on a Web page that has a print button or printer friendly link, click on it because it will format the page for optimal print output. After the printer friendly version opens up, go to "File" on your menu bar (found at the top of your screen) and click on "Print". If a printer friendly version is not available you can click directly on file and then on print. You can also click on "File" and then "Print Preview" if you want to see how the page will look on paper. Once the preview page opens up, you can click on print from there.

Want to learn more?
If you are interested in learning more about how to navigate the Internet please visit here.