Web browser hints and tips
The three main web browsers - Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome, each have their own unique features to help you enjoy a better browsing experience. Find out how to get more out of your web browser.
Internet Explorer 9
Pin sites to the taskbar
This feature allows users to pin their favorite websites as a link on the taskbar of windows. This allows for quick access and acts as an impromptu favourites bar with the added bonus of not having to open the browser to access all of your favourite websites.
New browser controls
The new 'browser controls' panel is a simplified control system that is incorporated into IE9. It lets you see the favorites bar, your feeds and browsing history all in one place.
Search directly from search bar
This feature allows you to start typing right into the address bar for any search criteria that you want, this allows for fast internet searches. The default setup of this feature uses the Bing search engine, but you can change this in the options menu if you prefer to use another provider.
Follow the orange link for more IE 9 features.
Firefox
Tab Functionality
All of the browsers are capable of using tabbed browsing, Firefox adds its own twist to this by adding additional features , such as:
- App tabs: Turns websites into permanent additions to your web browser, by adding tabbed pictures to the top left of the browser window
- Switch to Tab: This function checks to see if any duplicate websites are open when you are typing in a web address. If it finds the website already open it will switch to it rather than open a duplicate window
- New Tab: Firefox will keep thumbnail images of your most visited websites and displays these images in a new tab window
Stay in Sync
This allows you to bring across all of your information from one Mozilla device to another. Information taken across includes browsing history, passwords, bookmarks and even tabs. If you download Firefox Home on your iPhone, or Firefox for Android, when you are browsing on your desktop and swap to your handset the same web pages will be there waiting for you! A very convenient feature for those who are always on-the-go.
Awesome bar
The 'awesome bar' is an auto complete form that will try to match any terms that are entered into the address bar. This lets you just type key words into the awesome bar (Address bar) and have the browser go to the most likely website that you are after. Overtime the bar will adapt to its users preferences and it will get better over time at predicting what websites you want to visit.
Follow the orange link to see more Mozilla Firefox features.
Google Chrome
Chrome Web Store
This is exactly as it is described, a web store for your browser. This store allows you to buy thousands of apps, extensions and themes. We'll be looking more in-depth at the Chrome extensions that are available, very soon.
Translator in Browser
Chrome incorporates a translator without any need for additional plug-ins or add-ons. When the language on the webpage does not match the preferred language set it will automatically ask if you would like a translation.
Incognito Mode
This mode allows you to go 'Incognito'. While in this mode websites and files that are downloaded will not leave a trace on your computer. All new cookies are deleted after the incognito browsing window is closed, any changes made to favourites bars or settings are saved even in this mode. This is good when performing secure actions like online banking.
Follow the orange link to see more Google Chrome features.