How to Set Your Homepage in MS Internet Explorer

1. First launch Microsoft's Internet Explorer.
2. Click 'Tools' on the menu bar.
3. Select 'Internet Options...'.
4. An Internet Options dialog box will open.  On the 'General' tab type in, under the 'Homepage' settings section,  the web address that you would like to have your browser open to each time it is activated.

Watch the video click to see how it is done. (Click the "refresh" button to see video replay.)

How to Download a File

When presented with the opportunity to click-and-save data files, new Internet users find that downloading isn't always as easy as it seems.  Sound files, programs, screen savers, images, documents, zip and .pdf files are all downloadable files. When you click to save them to your computer, don't just hit OK when asked to continue. Ask yourself a few questions about the file you'd like to save.

These are all things to consider before proceeding to download anything.

To answer some of these questions, start by creating a folder on your desktop entitled "Downloads." What you name this folder isn't as important as where you place the folder when you create it. This is why the desktop is the ideal location to store a folder specifically for downloaded files. Once a file is saved to the folder you created on the desktop, you don't have to search long for a file once it's downloaded.

Often, when you go to save a file, it's already named for you. But, the name that appears isn't always the best choice. Many times, names are incomplete and terrible at describing the contents of a file.

The following tips will help you name a file during the download process.

Using an Internet Browser to Download

Netscape and Microsoft's download procedure are different only when it comes to naming what you are trying to download. For example, when you right click on a picture to download it, you'll see a pop-up window that might read "Save Picture As" or "Save Image As" - they do the same thing!

Once you've selected a file eligible of getting downloaded, simply right-click the image or link. Depending on what browser you're using, use the table above to make the appropriate selection. If you use IE (Microsoft's Internet Explorer), you'll be greeted by a pop-up window asking you to "Run from current location" or "Save to disk." In both instances the file is downloaded, but "Run from current location" places the file in a temporary directory and then opens the file after the download is complete. If you choose "Save to Disk," you then will see the same thing a Netscape user sees, the "Save As" pop-up window.

In the "Save As" window, name the file, select where it should be stored and click OK.

Now, go surf the Internet and "Download Away!"

Saving Adobe Reader (.pdf) Files

Have you ever clicked on a link that opened up a file in Acrobat Reader?  Did it take forever to load?  There is an easier and much faster way to view these files.  Here's how it works:

1. Locate the link to the file that you'd like to view.

2. Place the pointer over the link it turns into a pointing hand.

3. On your mouse, click the right mouse button and you will get a drop-down box with many options to choose from.

4. Select the  "Save Target As..." option in the drop-down box.

5. Label the file and choose a place to store it. It's always easier for me to save it to the desktop and then move it to a better location later.

6. Click save.  Wait for the file to download. Then click the close button on the Download Dialog Box.

7. Minimize your browser and locate your newly downloaded file. 

8. You will not need to log onto the Internet next time you need to access this file, it will be right where you saved it!

9. Open the file and watch how fast it loads now!

EXTRA! EXTRA!

You can follow the same steps as outlined above to download a graphic or picture from the Internet!  Just right click on the graphic and select "Save Picture As..."

Content Advisor (Microsoft Internet Explorer)

Are your students surfing the Internet?  Are you concerned with the undesirable content found on some sites?  You have a couple choices: 1) Purchase a third party application such as Cyber Patrol ™ (Cyber Patrol is being used for example purposes only); or  2) Set the Content Advisor in Microsoft Internet Explorer.  These two options are NOT 100% foolproof but will greatly reduce the occurrences of undesirable content popping up for your students.  The best security for your students is adult supervision.

Microsoft Internet Explorer's Content Advisor adheres to the guidelines established by the Recreational Software Advisory Council's (RSACi) rating system.  Please note that only sites that have been rated by this system are subject to the Microsoft Internet Explorer's Content Advisor.

Interested in setting up your Content Advisor?  Follow these simple steps:

1. Open Microsoft's Internet Explorer
2. Click on the TOOLS menu
3. Scroll down to Internet Options and click
4. Find the CONTENT tab along the top of the dialog box and click
5. In the CONTENT ADVISOR area, click ENABLE
6. Here you will find settings to filter language, nudity, sex, and violence.  Click on a category and set a level using the slider below the category box.  For example, click the violence key and set the slider to a 'Level 1 No Fighting' or to 'Level 4 Wanton and Gratuitous Violence'.
7. Finally, set a password.  Click the GENERAL tab and then click CHANGE PASSWORD.  Carefully choose a password, type it in the NEW PASSWORD box and retype it in the CONFIRM NEW PASSWORD box.