Browser
![Picture](/uploads/1/9/9/1/1991625/6298301.jpg?1331050335)
Window on The Web
A browser is just a program that lets you access the internet, such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera or Safari. Most PCs come with Internet Explorer as standard and it still has the lion's share of the market, but it's generally considered not to be the best and is being hotly pursued by some of the other big players. You can use any one you choose – after all, it's only a way of accessing the internet, nothing more than that.
Firefox is very popular (and it's my choice, for what it's worth), and one of its advantages is that, being open-source, some very talented programmers have put together a wide range of add-ons to make life easier for the user, in countless and varied ways.
Of course, another major advantage is that it's not Internet Explorer! :)
A browser is just a program that lets you access the internet, such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera or Safari. Most PCs come with Internet Explorer as standard and it still has the lion's share of the market, but it's generally considered not to be the best and is being hotly pursued by some of the other big players. You can use any one you choose – after all, it's only a way of accessing the internet, nothing more than that.
Firefox is very popular (and it's my choice, for what it's worth), and one of its advantages is that, being open-source, some very talented programmers have put together a wide range of add-ons to make life easier for the user, in countless and varied ways.
Of course, another major advantage is that it's not Internet Explorer! :)
Open-source
Excellent software, resulting from world-wide teamwork
An open-source program is one that is designed (usually) by a consortium of interested amateur (but usually very experienced) programmers, and then released for use in such a way that it can be modified and improved upon by others. These programs are usually top quality and often free. And, if all goes well, they get better with time as sthey are tweaked and adjusted by the various contributors. Some of the most well-known open-source programs include OpenOffice, Firefox and Audacity. Freemind (a mind mapping program) is also top rated, as is 7-Zip, a top performing zip program, which is said to outperform WinZip, the brand leader. |
Public Domain
![Picture](/uploads/1/9/9/1/1991625/9700138.jpg?375)
Grab some public domain stuff, but just don't do it in your local book shop
When something is in the public domain it is unprotected by copyright, free to use, or free to amend. Examples are works of literature (such as the works of Shakespeare) which have long run past their copyright limits. You can sell copies of such things if you like and no-one can say a word about it. You won't owe anyone anything - no fees, no royalites, nothing. Another example: open-source programs that are free to use or to make changes to are 'in the public domain'.
When someone publishes an image on the web it is not public domain, even though you can locate it and copy it. I've used some non-public domain images on this site (like the one on the right), but only because I don't intend to make it publicly accessible. If it was publicly accessible, and specially if this was a commercial site, I would be breaching copyright.
Help yourself to books, images, recordings, etc, that are in the public domain (and believe me, there are plenty), but just don't try it at your local bookshop - assuring the assistant that the work is in the public domain just won't work!
When someone publishes an image on the web it is not public domain, even though you can locate it and copy it. I've used some non-public domain images on this site (like the one on the right), but only because I don't intend to make it publicly accessible. If it was publicly accessible, and specially if this was a commercial site, I would be breaching copyright.
Help yourself to books, images, recordings, etc, that are in the public domain (and believe me, there are plenty), but just don't try it at your local bookshop - assuring the assistant that the work is in the public domain just won't work!
Tab
![Picture](/uploads/1/9/9/1/1991625/8925651.png?271)
A separate 'page' in your browser, or a separate section of a program's dialog box. Think of the tab as the little projecting bit of a card file that stands out from all the other pages and dividers. When you click on the tab you bring that 'page' to the front, just the same as if you'd physically got hold of the card tab and opened the file at that page.
'Tab' also refers to the tab key on your keyboard. Pressing it makes your cursor jump across to the next tab stop. If it's a document you're preparing, you can set the tab stops to suit yourself, e.g. at 20px, or every 10px, or whatever you like. px, by the way, is short for 'pixel(s)'. A pixel is a tiny point of light on a screen, millions of which, in horizontal lines, go to make up an image, and are so small and so close that they appear to blend into one another and create the illusion of a seamless image. The word 'pixel' is derived from picture element.
'Tab' also refers to the tab key on your keyboard. Pressing it makes your cursor jump across to the next tab stop. If it's a document you're preparing, you can set the tab stops to suit yourself, e.g. at 20px, or every 10px, or whatever you like. px, by the way, is short for 'pixel(s)'. A pixel is a tiny point of light on a screen, millions of which, in horizontal lines, go to make up an image, and are so small and so close that they appear to blend into one another and create the illusion of a seamless image. The word 'pixel' is derived from picture element.
Anti-virus programYour first line of defence
A programme designed to identify and eliminate computer viruses, trojans, worms, and other such garbage. You should definitely have some sort of anti-virus running at all times. If you connect to the internet without AV protection, you stand a strong chance of being hit by a virus within an hour, probably a lot less. Set the program to run on a regular basis, preferably daily, so that it does a full scan of your system, as well as running in the background, i.e. 'keeping an eye out'. Also, don't forget to set it to update itself regularly, so it knows what it's looking for. New viruses are being created all the time, and the AV companies spend a lot of time finding them and cooking up updates to deal with them. It's worth taking the time to become familiar with the anti-virus software you're using, since it's doing such an important job. You can also invoke the program whenever you download anything - just right-click on the file and select the option to run a scan on it. Virus Alert!! Watch out for the latest virus, it has finally breached the gap between machine and human ... and not only is it able to detect and attack the computer user, it can actually be fatal, which, in extreme cases, could even result in death. From now on, handle all mail only if you are wearing rubber gloves. And don't forget to use the hand sanitizer (but don't be tempted to drink it, even if very thirsty - it contains alcohol, which has been shown to be addictive). Tip! Cats have been shown to be very sensitive to viruses. It's widely seen as good practice to have one sitting on your knee when you're at the computer. If it shows signs of agitation, start a scan immediately, or if possible, even sooner. If you haven't got a cat, you can usually find one in the street and lure it in with some treats. When you've finished using it either put it back where you found it or stick it in the wardrobe till you need it again. Apparently they don't use much air and they sleep a lot, so it'll be fine. Or if there's no room in the wardrobe, a family-size biscuit tin will do and you can shove it on a shelf or under the sink (and if you're feeling a bit squeamish, you can go ahead and poke a few air holes in it just to be on the safe side - the tin, not the cat). |
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