How to use a graphical browser to help you return

Suppose you find some interesting information on the Internet. How do you use a graphical browser to help you come back to that information later?

Method #1: Use "bookmarks"

You are using a computer system to display the interesting information. Suppose you want to look at the information later via the same computer. Then try this "bookmarking" or "hotlist" method. (If you are not allowed to use this method with this computer, try Method #2).

1. Add a bookmark (when you see the interesting information):
   1. Look near the top of the window.
   2. Look there for the expression, "Bookmarks", "Favorites", "Bookmark...", "Hotlist", or a similar expression.
      Or look for a small picture of a bookmark.
      If they're not there, try looking for the expression, "Navigate".
      Are you having difficulties here? If yes:
      1. Look near the top and bottom of the window.
      2. Move the pointer's tip there - to the word, "Help", or the question mark, "?".
      3. Then tap the (left) button on the mouse or keyboard.
      4. Look for how to use "Bookmarks" or "Favorites" or "Hotlists".
   3. Move the pointer's tip to the "bookmark" or "favorites" or "hotlist" expression or picture.
   4. Tap the (left) button on the mouse or keyboard.
   5. Find an expression like "Add Bookmark", "Add to Favorites", "Add Current to Hotlist", "Add This Document", or a similar expression.
   6. Move the pointer's tip to that "Add" expression.
   7. Tap the (left) button on the mouse or keyboard.
      Do you now also see an expression saying "OK"? If yes:
      1. Move the pointer's tip to the "OK" expression.
      2. Tap the (left) button on the mouse or keyboard.

   You have added the location or "URL" of the interesting information to a list of "bookmarks".

2. Return to the interesting information:

   Suppose you are using this computer system later. Then, to return to the information that you bookmarked:

   1. Move the pointer's tip up to the "Bookmarks" or "Favorites" or "Hotlist" section again.
   2. Tap the (left) button on the mouse or keyboard.
   3. Look for that "interesting-information" location or URL you added earlier.
      Different browsers might work differently. You might need to do a bit more to display that location or URL. If you wish, try these steps:
      1. Move the pointer's tip up or down to the word, "Help", or the question mark, "?".
      2. Tap the (left) button on the mouse or keyboard.
      3. Look for how to use "Bookmarks" or "Favorites" or "Hotlists".
   4. Move the pointer's tip to that location or URL.
   5. Tap the (left) button on the mouse or keyboard.
      Do you now also see an expression that says "Go To"? If yes:
      1. Move the pointer's tip to that "Go To" expression.
      2. Tap the (left) button on the mouse or keyboard.

   If all goes well, the interesting information is displayed again.

   Different browsers might work differently. The browser you're using might have special useful features:

   1. Move the pointer's tip up or down to the word, "Help", or the question mark, "?".
   2. Tap the (left) button on the mouse or keyboard.
   3. Look for how to use "Bookmarks" or "Favorites" or "Hotlists".

Are you using a computer where you are not allowed to use bookmarks or hotlists? (For example, you might be using a computer at a public library).
If yes, then try Method #2.

Method #2: Manually copy the location or "URL"

Suppose you are using someone else's computer to display the interesting information. Suppose you want to look at the information later via a different computer. Then try this "copy the URL" method.

1. Display and write down the current location (when you see the interesting information):
   1. Look near the very top and bottom of the window.
   2. Look for the words, "Location", "Address", "Go To", "URL", "Document URL", "Document", "Current URL", "Netsite", or similar expression.
      Suppose you don't find those words. Then look for "http:", "telnet:", "gopher:", "ftp:", "wais:", "news:", "mailto:", "finger:", or a similar term.
   3. Very accurately write down the entire address (or "URL"). It starts with "http:", "telnet:", "gopher:", "ftp:", "wais:", "news:", "mailto:", "finger:", or a similar term.
      
      • Be careful to copy correctly.
      • Note upper-case (or capital) letters, underscores ("_"), tildes ("~"), and punctuation.
      • Suppose you see more than one URL. How do you know if you are writing the correct URL? These tips might sometimes help:
        • The "correct" URL might be in a rectangular area or box.
        • If you can, scroll the page vertically or horizontally. (If necessary, find out how to scroll, when you use a graphical browser). The "correct" URL should not move, while you are scrolling.
2. Return to the interesting information:

   When you want to return to the interesting information, what do you do?
   The answer might depend on which browser you'll be using to return to that information:

   • If you'll be using a graphical browser to return to the location of interest:
     1. Try moving the pointer to the rectangular area or box where you see a URL displayed.
     2. Tap the (left) button on the mouse or keyboard.
        Does a blinking vertical line ("insertion point") appear?
        • If yes:
          1. Type accurately the URL of the location where you want to go.
          2. Tap the Enter or Return key.
        • If no:
          Use the "Help" system (or other "documentation") for the browser:
          1. Look near the top and bottom of the window.
          2. Move the pointer's tip there - to the word, "Help", or the question mark, "?".
          3. Then tap the (left) button on the mouse or keyboard.
          4. Look for how to use "Bookmarks" or "Favorites" or "Hotlists".
          5. Find out how to go to the URL you've copied.
             You might look for an expression like "Open URL", for example.
   • If you'll be using a non-graphical browser to return to the location of interest:
     Find out how to use a non-graphical browser to return to locations of interest.

This page was updated on April 6, 2002.

Copyright © 1998-2002 by Barry G. Wong. All rights reserved.