A web site is viewed using a special piece of software called a browser. This software accesses the files on the website and translates them into a visually coherent page on your computer screen. A browser also enables hyperlink navigation and functions such as downloading files, filling in forms, and watching live video.

Major Browsers

The main web browsers are:

• Internet Explorer
• Mozilla Firefox
• Opera
• Netscape Navigator

Some ISPs (AOL for example) provide a specially customised browser that enables you to access additional services available only to subscribers. However, the major browsers are available free on the web or on CD-ROMs given away with computer magazines. Your computer may have come with a browser already installed.

If you plan to take browser software from the Internet, bear in mind that the programs can be very large and take a long time to download, especially if you're still on dial-up.

Cross-Platform Compatibility

If you're planning to design your own web site you should bear in mind that different browsers (and different versions of browser from the same manufacturer) are likely to display your web pages differently. This 'cross-platform compatibility' is the biggest bugbear for the web designer and if it isn't dealt with correctly it can result in your carefully designed pages looking messy, or at worst being unreadable, on some computers.

Keeping Updated

To get the best from the web it's important to keep your browser up to date. Increasing numbers of web sites today use advanced features to bring you rich multimedia content and if your browser is an old version you may not be able to access this material. Updates are available on the web or on CD-ROM and it's a good idea to check for the latest version every few months.