Meeting 2/7/2014

Notes for Meeting 2/7/2014

Discussion on web browsers

The schedule called for presentations about three browsers; Safari, Google, and Firefox.  Unfortunately, time expired before all were covered.  

What is a browser?  A software application used to view HTML documents on the world wide web.  Since sites use HTML (hyper text markup language) to construct their documents they should appear the same regardless of which browser is used.  That being said; if you're having a site built to sell a product it would be a good idea to test with different browsers.  Problems may arise due to incorrect writing of HTML or improper encoding or minor differences in the way a browser reads the HTML.  Most browsers will overcome errors though.  

Here is a site explaining how browsers work: http://browsers.about.com/od/howbrowserswork/a/whatisabrowser.htm  This site has a lot of info about the net and the WWW (world wide web).  

Here is another site focused on terms we should know.  http://netforbeginners.about.com/od/internetlanguage/tp/the-top-internet-terms-for-beginners.htm   

After spending a few hours researching browsers I've come to the conclusion that using one over another is a personal choice as most of the features are duplicated in each.  Except for Internet Explorer.  As near as I can tell there is no version for MAC. If you want it, get a PC with Windows 8.  

There are at least 20 different browsers and currently Google Chrome is by far the most used.  2.4 million customers as opposed to a little over a million for Safari.  

At this point Google is still supporting Firefox with about 2% of its advertising dollars and seems likely to continue as Firefox defaults to them with advertising inquiries.  Since I was assigned the presentation for Firefox I am including a website http://browsers.about.com/od/historylesson/a/firefoxhistory.htm which will talk about its history and development.  I don't use it on my MAC as I feel Safari is best suited to Apple programs and works fine for me.  I use Firefox exclusively on my Linux system and like it.  I personally can't tell much difference in functionality.  

Keyboard Commands

There are many commands starting with CMD+whatever.  Jack McCleskey has taught us some which are very useful and quicker than using your mouse.  

Here is a site with more keyboard shortcuts than you can imagine:  http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1343 

Next Meeting 2/14/2014

Projected topics are mail and iPhoto.

How to leave a comment on the blog

I've enabled comments from anyone including anonymous.  Therefore, you should see a comments link at the end of whatever post you are viewing.  If you click this link you'll be able to leave your comment.  

Larry; you said you weren't able to leave a comment but it came through.  

Geek

The word geek is a slang term originally used to describe eccentric or non-mainstream people, with different connotations ranging from "an expert or enthusiast" to "a person heavily interested in a hobby", with a general pejorative meaning of "a peculiar or otherwise dislikable person, esp[ecially] one who is perceived to be overly intellectual".^[1]

Although often considered as a pejorative, the term is also used self-referentially without malice or as a source of pride. Its meaning has evolved to connote "someone who is interested in a subject (usually intellectual or complex) for its own sake."  I think this may describe me.  

Here are a couple of sites Larry suggested.  The first from PC classes online.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rblx-K2XMOU. Info for people who have recently switched to MAC.

The second for recent PC owners:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twf70Tl7piY  Thanks, Larry.  

See you next time.  

Mike