Browsers Are Getting Smarter and Smarter: Guide to Internet Basics

On the second floor of the Wallace Library, 1998 graduate of RIT and current Wallace library web designer, Patrick Reed, teaches an audience of parents and few students how to increase their productivity on the Internet.

With everything the Internet can do, whether it’s shopping, searching, or blogging, people who aren’t web wizards may feel overwhelmed and misled. Reed explains, “There is so much information out there, it can be hard for people to find what they’d like.”

Today, people access the Internet from their desktop or laptop, but it is not uncommon for people to access their Internet through their phone. Before bringing the audience up to speed on the current powers of the Internet, Reed gave a brief history, explaining how the internet went from ARPAnet (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network) used in the 1970s, to present day user-friendly search engines. “Google is the best internet search engine out there,” admits Reed.

He also cautions his audience by encouraging them to research anything they find suspicious. “If you get an E-mail saying ‘This is your bank, and we need information on your account’ you shouldn’t give them any personal information and head directly to the bank’s website.” Stick to websites you're familiar with, and if you’re skeptical about an unfamiliar website don’t hesitate to do some research. There is no harm in going above and beyond to protect yourself.

Eric Walker, a 1991 graduate in Manufacturing Engineering Technology, has recently moved back to the Rochester area and explains how excited he is to be back on campus. “This was very helpful because I’ve always been curious about how to use different operators on Google and this gave me some clearer ideas,” explained Walker. “I feel a little more comfortable with web pages overall and using the tab function,” Walker added.

Maximizing your search methods will increase your efficiency on the Internet. Though it can be frustrating at times, relax, play around with it and protect yourself. The Internet is here to help make your life easier.