INTERNET FAQ If the internet is new to you, read through these frequently asked questions for some guidance:

What is a link? A link is a web site feature that when clicked on will take you to more information on the subject indicated. (A link may bring you to a different web site.) Click on this link to practice: cakemixdoctor.com. Use the back arrow , to return to this page. Why does my mouse arrow change to a hand when I'm on the Internet? When you move the mouse arrow onto a link the mouse becomes a hand. It is a web site's way of saying "Hey, notice me! Click here!" How do I get from the web site a link took me to back to the original web site I was on? The first thing to try is the back arrow . If that doesn't work you may have to re-access the original web site by retyping the web address in the address text box at the top of the window. You can also find the address of recently visited sites by clicking on the down arrow at the right end of the address text box. (Click on the web site you want to access). Or, if you bookmarked the site, go to your Bookmarks (or Favorites) and access the site from there. What does "loading" mean? "Loading" (a.k.a. downloading or opening) refers to the process of a web site, an attachment or an image being transmitted from the Internet to your computer. Sometimes when the object being transmitted is large it will make the web page take longer to "load in." It is best to sit tight and not click on anything until a web page has fully loaded. Sometimes when a web site is opening another smaller window opens on top of it. How do I get rid of that window? Why does that happen? That top window is usually an advertiser making a special offer. Look at the title bar (at the top of the window) and simply click on the close box of the advertiser's window. What if a web site takes forever to open? If web site is just taking too long to open you can abort the mission by clicking on the stop icon in the tool bar. This instructs the web site to stop loading, but you will remain connected to that site. Why does it take so long for some web sites to open? There are several factors that play a role in how long it takes a web site to open. First of all, there is your connection. The slowest connection to the Internet is a dial-up phone line. The fastest are cable, DSL or T1 lines. If your Internet Service Provider (the company you pay for access to the Internet) is very busy it may also slow things down. Next, the amount of RAM (random access memory) on your computer effects how quickly images appear on your screen; along with how many graphics or what type of images are on the web site. For example, I tried to access NASA's web site to see photos from Mars, but my computer didn't have enough RAM and my phone connection was very slow. I waited a solid 15 minutes before I gave up, clicked the Stop icon, and moved What is an URL? URL stands for "Universal Resource Locator". It is the street address for a web site. No two URLs are alike. So, if you type in a web address and you get a page that says something to the effect that "No such URL exists" it can mean that either you mistyped the address or the web site may not be up and running at that time. What does it mean when a web site "times out"? That means that the web site you were trying to open has taken too long to open and the process has been stopped by your browser. Do I always need to type "www." before a web address? Not necessarily. Some web sites require that you do and others don't. To be on the safe side and prevent confusion about whether it is necessary, I always type in the wwws. What does it mean to "reload" a page? Sometimes a page just doesn't open up properly - could be a slight glitch in communication. Before you give up on the page ever opening, give it a second chance to load in. There is an icon on your tool bar for reloading. Click on the reload icon and the page may open the second time around. What does http:// stand for? Hypertext transfer protocol. UGH! It used to be that you had to type http:// before the wwws in a web site address. It used to be such a pain to type - thank goodness that is no longer true. Don't be surprised, however, if http:// is in the web site address box even if you didn't type it. It appears automatically. What is the difference between "surfing the net" and "surfing the web"? They are one in the same and both indicate that you are on the Internet traveling on the "Information Super-Highway". I have trouble reading some of the text when I'm on the Internet. Can I increase the size of text on the web? Each web site is designed slightly differently and some fail to take into consideration ease of viewing - especially for those that wear bifocals or have cataracts. Here's how you can increase the font size while on the Internet, but keep in mind that not all sites will improve: First, sign onto the Internet as you normally do. If your browser is Internet Explorer, first click on View, then click on Text Size, next click on Largest. If your browser is Netscape Communicator, first click on View, then Increase Font. If you use AOL, click on My AOL and then click on Preferences. A window will open that allows you to customize your AOL account. Click on General and now click the circle next to "Where possible, display text as large".

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