Where To Start

by Dick Travis

Using the web to find information is becoming more popular as it becomes easier to navigate the wild and wooly world wide web. But, where do you start?

For some people, you are already there. When you open your browser, it takes you to your start page.

This start page is many times a default address recommended by the internet service provider. If you like the start page and it gives you a nice comfortable feel and has all the subjects indexed nicely and is working for you--stay with it.

For instance, AOL users are familiar with their start page and can use it very effectively to get the information they want or need. Also, many MSN users are happy with the start page for MSN. Your internet service provider’s recommended start page may be the best start page for you, since they offer links for service or contact information which you may need to keep the system running smoothly.

Some computer users, however, prefer to start their browsing other places, such as one's business web site or a personal web site or even a popular search engine, such as Yahoo or Google.

So how does one determine where to start?

If you are using Microsoft's Internet Explorer (which 90% of the us are), you can change the starting address as follows:

While in your browser, click on “Tools” and “Internet Options”. There you will see a box with information about your home page (or starting page). You are given four options. You can use the current page, the default page, a blank page or type in a particular web page site.

The current page is self-explanatory. The default page is the page that your internet service provider recommends. The blank page is just that? I don't know why anyone would want to start with a blank page, but...and the fourth option is just type in the address of a particular web page where you want to start.

I use Cox as my internet service provider, so when I click on the default button and then click on” apply” and “ok” on the bottom of the box, my start page reverts back to the Cox home page.

This is a very nice page, with all kinds of links to current and local news and an excellent search area which is supported by Google. So, try it if you are a Cox user, you may like it.

Try the different options, then return to your browser and click on the HOME icon and you will be off to a great start.

Knowing "where to start" can make surfing the web enjoyable.