Whitehall On-line

Whitehall College's virtual learning centre
Information on Web Browsers

Your web browser is the software that allows you to view pages on the World Wide Web. Browsers capable of running the site include Netscape Navigator 4 (or more recent) and Microsoft Internet Explorer 4 (or more recent). Earlier version browsers by Netscape and Microsoft may also work but could prove unreliable as Whitehall On-line's internal and external resources develop. Other companies are also developing browsers that may be compatible with the site such as Opera but these have not been tested.

Obtaining a Web Browser compatible with the Whitehall On-line site

If you expect to use Whitehall On-line from work or college you may be using a computer that is administered centrally. If so you may not have the rights needed to upgrade your browser. If this is the case you should use the links provided for low specification browsers and arrange with your network administrator to have the network's browsers upgraded. A good network administrator should be keen t to upgrade browsers. They will be aware that resources available on the World Wide Web are being delivered in new and varied ways.

Like other software, web browsers are programs which can be installed (set up) on your computer. These browsers are freely available. They are often found on the CD-ROMs attached to the covers of computer magazines or they can be downloaded from websites. 'Downloading' a browser means transferring software across the internet to your computer. Because web browsers come as big files this can sometimes take a long time. If this creates a problem for you check out the covers of computer magazines first to obtain an uptodate browser.

If you are prepared to download a new browser from the internet connect to either of these sites:

Download	Download

Installation instructions will be given at these sites.

If you have never downloaded or installed software before you may find the idea worrying. In fact the procedure is quite straightforward. You will be asked to identify what operating system you are running (Windows 3.1, Windows 95/98, Windows NT or Mac for instance).

You may be asked to select a download site. The default download site (where you obtain the bowser from) will be the USA but if a European site is available you may find this works more quickly.

Follow the instructions you find at the site to download the browser you require. You will be asked which folder or directory on your computer you wish to save the file to. If you're in the habit of downloading files from the internet it is a good idea to make a folder called Download before you start into which these files can go in the first instance. This way you can be sure where any file is after download!

When the download is complete you will find a single file has been added to your computer's hard disk. This file is like a package in that it will contain lots of other files that will be automatically extracted so that your new browser works. To extract (or install) these files you will probably have been instructed to double-click the downloaded file and to then follow the instructions that appear. It is recommended that you accept the default options presented to you during the installation process unless you have a good reason to select custom options.

Once installation is complete you may wish to delete the original file that you downloaded which is no longer needed. First you should check that your browser is running as you wish.

Finally, now you know how easy it is to upgrade your web browser, consider checking the Netscape and Microsoft sites every three months or so for new upgrades. It is not just Whwitehall Online, by any means, that require users to have uptodate browsers.

If the power of the web is to be properly developed, harnessed and exploited it can only do so with the agreement of those that browse the web. This means it is in our collective interest to keep uptodate.