FINDING INFORMATIONUSING THE INTERNET

January 2008

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS THE INTERNET?

Basically the Internet is an international network of computers – millions of computers all around the world that connect to each other through telephone lines.

WHAT IS A WEBSITE?

A Website is a collection of pages that are on the Internet – they can be created by businesses, organisations or individuals and can contain text, pictures and sounds.

SO, WHAT IS A HOME PAGE?

This is the first page on a site and will probably provide a guide to the other pages contained on the same Website.

WHAT IS A SEARCH ENGINE?

Search engines work their way through the Websites to help you find short cuts to the information you want. For instance you might want to look for information on your favourite band or find out the times of films at your local cinema.

WHAT IS A WEB ADDRESS?

Every web site has a unique address – examples are www.bbc.co.uk and www.caerphilly.gov.uk

There are several different endings for Web addresses. For instance “.co.uk” shows this a UK company, “.com” shows the company is international, “org.uk” shows this is a UK organisation.

FINDING YOUR WAY AROUND THE WEB

Using this pack, you will be able to:

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Enter a web address

Use hypertext links

Use the and icons

Use search engines

Print required information

End an Internet session

HOW TO GET STARTED ON THE INTERNET

NOTE You need to use a programme called a BROWSER to be able to look at the Internet. The most popular is called

Microsoft Internet Explorer.

1. Click on the Internet Icon on your Desktop

This will take you onto the Internet

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2. To view a different web site, type in a new address in the ADDRESS box at the top of the window. For example, let’s try the BBC’s home page – www.bbc.co.uk

NOTE

A hand appears ‘ ’ when there is a HYPERTEXT link – this just means that by clicking on the hand, you can jump

to a different page containing the information or image.

3. Lets look at what’s on TV tonight. Click on the hypertext link for BBC TV listings.

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Type www.bbc.co.uk in this box

4. Now click on the hypertext link for HOME. You will return to the BBC homepage.

HOW TO GET BACK TO A PREVIOUS PAGE

1. Click on the button

2. You can also use the button to return to a previously seen page.

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SEARCH ENGINES

Search engines work their way through web sites to help you find short cuts to specific information. There are many you can use.For example:-

Google (www.google.com)

Ask jeeves (www.aj.com)

Yahoo (www.yahoo.com)

The idea behind the search engines is that you type in a word or phrase. The search engine then gives you a list of related web sites.

1. As an example, let’s try doing a search on Eastenders

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1. Type in google’s address here

2. Type in the search terms here.

2. Results are displayed in groups of ten – the first ten results of the search are usually the most relevant.For instance, we searched for the Simpsons, from the description given.

The first ten results are displayed.

The www.thesimpsons.com web site looks suitable.

Therefore, just click on the hypertext link to enter that particular site.

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3. Click on “Google Search”.

NOTE If your search does not give you the information you want, just

try changing your search words and see what happens.

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LIBRARY CATALOGUE

You can also search the library catalogue on the Internet to find Books, DVDs, Games and Music that may be of interest to you.

1. Click on the links until you reach the library page

2.

3. Use the search term box and type in a term for something you are interested in and click on GO.

4. A list of results will be displayed. Click on the one you are most interested in to see more information.

HINTS AND TIPS

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Type www.caerphilly.gov.uk in this box

Keep your search simple

Fewer words are better than many

Put “ “ around words to search for a name of a person

Sometimes the first site to come up isn’t always the best one

Don’t always believe everything you see on the Internet

Never give personal details about yourself over the Internet

To close Internet explorer select and or click on the

PRINTING INFORMATION

If you want to Print,

Click on the PRINT ICON in the browser toolbar.

INTERNET QUIZ

Have a go…

1. What is on television on BBC2 at 10.30 pm this evening?

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2. How much would the game “Super Mario Galaxy” for the Nintendo Wii cost at Argos?

3. What is the name of the Caerphilly Castle ghost?

4. How tall is the Great Pyramid at Giza?

5. Name one of the ballets due to be performed at Sydney Opera House in Australia

6. Using the Railtrack web site, what train could I catch if I wanted to travel from Caerphilly to Cardiff Central on Saturday after 11 am?

7. Which two football teams are playing a match at Wembley Stadium on the 6th February 2008?

8. Who played James Bond in the original Casino Royale Film?

9. Who was the first ever Doctor Who?

10. Who had a UK number 1 in 1981 with the song ‘Making Your Mind Up’?

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