1. Basic concept and vocabulary:

   • The WWW - the world wide web
     collections of documents on different servers all around the world linked to one another by the Internet.

   • URL - uniform resource locator
     the address of a web page/document - e.g. http://servername/directory/filename

   • web browser
     a tool or software for viewing web pages

   • hypertext and hyperlinks
     text/websites interlinked with one another

   • surfing
     exploring the web by clicking from webpage to webage

   • homepage
     is the first page seen when a browser is opened. "Homepage" is also used to describe the first webpage presented for a website.

   Want to Test your knowledge of the WWW ? - complete this crossword puzzle

2. How to use the web browser Netscape

   • Buttons: Back, forward, home, stop

   • Menus: Go, bookmark

   • Open:
     open new web browser, open location & open file

   • Print

3. Navigation Tips:

   • To view text quickly, uncheck auto load images and then reload images.

   • When printing, alter the page setup. Choose A4 paper (if necessary); set header & footer; reduce size.

   • To view languages other than English, change the font in the Options Menu.

   • To e-mail comments/questions to author(s) of the page, set mail preferences first.

   • When pages cannot be loaded, the reasons may be:
     not found= error in http address, or the file has been moved to another location; or
     the server is busy, etc.
     Advice: try the address again during non-peak hours or email the webmaster/author of the page.

4. Search Tips:

   • Use the Netscape Search button for quick access to search engines.

   • Go directly to search engines and look for "hint," "tips," "advanced search," etc. buttons.
     Yahoo at www.yahoo.com
     Infoseek at www.infoseek.com
     Lycos at www.lycos.com
     
   • Write good search terms using some of the following:
     capital letters
     quotation marks (to show phrases)
     + signs to include items
     - signs to exclude items.

Exploration of the web by participants

1. Netscape Tutorials

   An excellent multimedia, step-by-step tutorial on how to use the browser, including audio as well as written instructions. The graphics of menus are for MACs but this doesn't matter as the menu options are still the same for PCs. (Annotation by Nick Noakes)

2. More advanced features of Netscape

   • Netscape Email Tutorial

   • Newsgroup Tutorial

   • Net tutorial

     A detailed tutorial on the Internet produced by the University of Albany. Users in Asia may try the adapted and mirrored version at HKUST.

3. Resources for Students

4. Resources for Teachers

5. TESOL Convention '98

   from March 17-21 in Seattle, Washington

6. On-line journals and Magazines

   1. Journals and Newsletters in TESL/TEFL, Linguistics,and Communication
   2. E-zines: Electronic Publications (Full list)

7. Visit the White House (http://www.whitehouse.gov) and send Bill Clinton a message

8. Don't forget to send yourself a card to congratulate your success in surviving this PCI!
   • Electronic Postcards
   • HKNet iCard Centre
   • Bluemountain Animated Electronic Cards
   • Awesome Cyber Cards

   Or you may send us flowers or presents!

Back to Getting Your Virtual Feet Wet

created March 7, 1998 by Linda Mak
revised on March 16, 1998
http://www.ilc.cuhk.edu.hk/english/suzan/tesol98/pci/outline.html