Do you want to see the world from your home? The internet is a vast place. To travel there, you need a special tool. This tool is called a Web Browser.
Think of the internet like a Great Ocean. It is full of islands. Each island is a website. To visit these islands, you need a boat. The Web Browser is your boat. It carries you across the water safely. It has a large window. Through this window, you see everything the internet has to offer.
At Alaska Digital Partners, we want you to feel safe on this journey. We teach you how to steer your boat with confidence.
TOOLS
Choosing your digital boat
Before you sail, you must find your boat. On your computer or phone, you will see small pictures. These are called icons. Most computers come with a boat already waiting for you.
There are different brands of boats. They all do the same job. You might see:
- Google Chrome: A colorful circle.
- Safari: A blue compass.
- Microsoft Edge: A blue and green wave.
Do you see one of these on your screen?
OPEN
Stepping onto the deck
To start your journey, you must open the tool.
- Use your mouse to move the arrow on the screen.
- Place the arrow over the browser icon.
- Click the left button on your mouse two times quickly.
A large window will open on your screen. You are now inside your boat. You are ready to look at the ocean.
Are you looking at a big, white screen now?
ADDRESS
Telling your boat where to go
At the very top of your browser window, there is a long, white box. This is the Address Bar.
Think of this bar like a map. If you know exactly which island you want to visit, you type its name here. Every website has a unique name. It often starts with "www" and ends with ".com".
For example, if you want to see our list of training sessions, you would type:
alaskadigitalpartners.com/events/
How to do it:
- Click inside the white box at the top.
- The old text will turn blue.
- Type the name of the place you want to go.
- Press the "Enter" key on your keyboard.
Your boat will now sail directly to that island.
SEARCH
Finding what you need
What if you do not know the exact name of the island? You can ask for help.
Most browsers have a Search Bar. This is like a helpful guide at the harbor. You can type words into this bar, and the guide will show you a list of websites that match.
Try these words:
- "Alaska weather today"
- "Salmon recipes"
- "How to knit a hat"
Type your words and press "Enter." A list will appear. These are called "Results." You can choose the one that looks best to you.
Do you have a question you want to ask the guide?
NAVIGATE
Moving between islands
Once you arrive at a website, you can move around.
Links
Websites have "Links." These are like paths or doors. They are often blue words or colorful buttons. When you click a link, your boat moves to a new page.
The Back Button
Did you go to the wrong place? Do not worry. Look at the top left corner of your window. You will see an arrow pointing to the left. This is the Back Button. Click it once to go back to where you were before. It is like walking back through a door you just opened.
The Forward Button
Next to the back button is an arrow pointing to the right. This takes you forward again.
The Refresh Button
Sometimes a page gets stuck. Look for a small circle arrow. Clicking this tells the boat to "try again." It cleans the window so you can see clearly.
TABS
Looking at two windows
Sometimes you want to look at two islands at the same time. You can use Tabs.
At the very top of the window, you will see a small "+" sign. Click it. A second window opens inside the same boat. You can have one tab for "News" and another tab for "Email."
To switch between them, just click the name at the top. To close one, click the small "x" on that tab.
SAFETY
Locking your digital doors
Your safety is the most important thing. The internet is a wonderful place, but you must be careful, just like you are careful in the wilderness.
Look for the Lock
When you are on a website, look at the Address Bar at the top. Do you see a small picture of a Padlock?
- Closed Lock: This means the connection is private. It is like a locked door. Your information is safer here.
- No Lock or "Not Secure": Be very careful. Do not type your name, address, or money details on these pages. It is like an open door in a storm.
Privacy
Never give your password to anyone. A real website or bank will never ask for your password in an email or a message. If you feel unsure, close the window. Your boat is yours to control. You can always leave an island if it feels unsafe.
PRACTICE
Taking your first trip
Learning takes time. Be patient with yourself. Try these three steps today:
- Open your browser boat.
- Search for "Alaska Digital Partners" in the search bar.
- Click a link to see our AI Training Workshops.
The more you practice, the easier it becomes. You are learning a new way to connect with your community and the world.
HELP
Learning together
Would you like someone to show you these steps in person? We offer small, friendly classes. We go slow. We answer every question.
Join us for a Live Virtual Training or visit our Cybersecurity Training page to learn more about staying safe online.
We are here to help you walk this new path…
