What's my Web Browser?

A Web browser is a program you use to view Web pages on the Internet. This text you're reading right now is a Web page. The program you're using to read this text is your Web browser. Just as there are many different brands of toothpaste, there are many different brands of Web browsers. Some popular brands of Web browsers include Microsoft Internet Explorer, MSN Explorer, America Online (AOL), and Netscape Navigator. As near as I can tell, the Web browser you're using right now is:

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If you ever need to ask someone a question about using the Internet, one of the first things they'll ask back is "What Web browser are you using?" If you don't know the answer to that, take a look at the title bar, menu bar, and toolbar above this text you're reading right now. Then as you look through the pictures that follow, you should be able to determine what Web browser you use.

All Web browsers have certain things in common, such as an Address bar for typing the URL (address) of the Web page you want to visit. They also have certain things in common with all program windows, such as a title bar, menu bar, and toolbar. For example, Figure 1 shows some components of the Microsoft Internet Explorer  Web browser.

  Figure 1

America Online's Web browser looks something like the example shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2

MSN Explorer is a simplified version of Microsoft Internet Explorer.. MSN Explorer has no menu bar, but it does have most of the other components found in other programs, as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3

Netscape Navigator also has all the usual accouterments, as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4

Once you know what Web browser you're using, you won't be stymied when some asks, "What Web browser are you using?" And if someone refers to your Web browser's title bar, menu bar, toolbar, or Address bar, you'll know where to look for it on your screen.

If you want to learn more about using your Web browser right now, you can press the Help key (F1) on your computer keyboard. Or, click on Help in your Web browser's menu bar and choose one of the options on the menu that appears.