Module 6: Soaring Through the Online Space

Have you ever said to yourself, “I wish I knew how to . . . ?”

Of course, you have!

Well. You’re not alone! Millions of people worldwide ask this same question and find their answers on the World Wide Web with a search engine – a computer program that darts around the internet looking at articles, stories, reports, files, and websites, then creates an optimized report for you in your browser.

Did you know the web holds more information, data, and knowledge than all the encyclopedias in the entire world? An estimated 4.5 billion documents are currently stored in websites and storage mediums! Wow!

The most frequently asked question on any search engine starts with, “How to…?”

You want to know how to change a car tire? Search the web!

You want to learn how to make an omelet or bake a loaf of bread? Ask the web!

You want to know the national debt of Zimbabwe in Africa? Search the web!

You have a headache that won’t go away? Before you pay through the nose at the hospital, ask the doctors on the web for free!

You want know who won the 1958 Nobel Peace Prize?  Ask the web!  I know the answer because I just checked! There were seven Nobel Prize Laureates that year, and one was Frederick Sanger “for his work on the structure of proteins, especially that of insulin.” Sanger’s work in the field of chemistry, particularly with insulin, was a breakthrough about the relationship between proteins and amino acids.

His research and tests have helped to lay a foundation for improving the lives of diabetics. I’m one of those diabetics that he helped. (Bet ya didn’t know that about me!)

I learned something new! Took me less than five minutes to find the information about Nobel Peace Prize recipients and specifically about Frederick Sanger.

Learning how to access this information is not difficult. Every connected computer and its browser has a search bar, an open area on the page where you can type in your query, hit the search button, and be on your way to find the answers to your questions.

In Google Chrome, the search bar is right in the middle of the screen and includes the words, “Search Google or type URL.”

Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Firefox browsers all use Google as their search engine – probably because they are the most popular browsers and Google is King of the Hill on the web!

Other search engine options are available. Each does about the same thing, but gives you a slightly different experience in search and in their presentation of results.

Navigating the web 

As long as I have been active on the web, I’ve found that “doing is learning!” It works backwards as well, “Learn by doing!” 

You can learn from basic instructions about navigating the web, but “getting your feet wet or jumping into the deep end” often educates you more than reading about or seeing it done for you. Becoming proficient in navigating the web will take time. So, grab a cup of your favorite beverage, fluff up a comfy chair, and let’s get cracking! 

Which of your burning passions do you want to know more about? Choose one and begin with a word search in your browser, then select one of the listings the search engine retrieves, and click on the link.  

Upon arriving at a chosen website, explore the menu items, click on the blog links, find an article, read it, and keep following the links until you’ve learned something or your knowledge itch has been scratched!

Explore, expand your knowledge, and increase your online surfing skills. Do something crazy and adventurous! Your adventure into the online nether world on the web will help you gain confidence in locating something of interest, and in the process, you’ll learn something new.

When I first came to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, I knew little about the country, people, culture, or the religion. I was lost on how to navigate around town, and even drove on the “wrong” side of the road! I was used to driving on the right side of the road, which is “right”. Here in Thailand, “right” is “wrong”! After learning about a couple main highways, and way was north or south, I jumped on my old Honda motorcycle and ventured into town – with my home address in my back pocket for backup.

My goal was clear: “to get lost!” And then to be able to find my way back home through trial and error or just plain luck!

Knowing I lived on the east side of the city, I rode my motorcycle up and down the roads, turning wherever I felt. As a result, I know of places no foreigner has ever ventured, experienced the cuisine of out-of-the-way restaurants, and can navigate my way to most any place in the city. 

Sometimes in life you need to go out and “Get Lost!” Immerse yourself in your locale, the sights, the sounds, the flavors – until you cannot lose your way anymore because you now “own the city!”  

What a feeling it is and how comforting it is to know you can maneuver around the web without any fear of getting lost, find what you want to know, and accomplish what you need to do. 

As you gain experience navigating around the web, opportunities are numerous for you to sign up for a newsletter, a report, or additional information offered by websites. They often have something free to give away and want to “capture” your name and email for purposes of future communication, promotion, or contact.

It’s your choice if you want to part with personal information in order to receive something from them. Caution is the word of the day. You can quickly have an email inbox stuffed full of information, advertisements, and promotions of little interest to you. 

Emails from trusted and legitimate websites always offer an “opt-out” or “unsubscribe” link. It’s the law and part of the ICAAN agreement (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) – for websites to include a link to allow subscribers (someone who has signed up with their name and email) to cancel contact and not receive any more emails. Companies, individuals and businesses not conforming run the risk of having their email, internet service, and IP address banned or blacklisted. Not a good thing to happen if you want to create an income on the web! 

So, if you do get excited about all the “freebies” and find yourself on too many mailing lists, clean house and unsubscribe at any time. 

Okay, it’s time to get your feet wet, and your ankles, and everything else including your brain. You’re ready to learn by doing!

On your marks! Get set! Go!

1. Pick one of the subjects below, type (or copy and paste) the words into the search bar of your browser, and click “enter.”

1. How to groom your dog
2. Who won the Oscar for best actor in 1979
3. Basic flight characteristics of gliders
4. What year was aspirin first produced
5. Final score for the World Cup in 2006
6. How many countries make up the continent of Africa
7. How to rob a bank! (Yes, really!)

Note: I’ve done this exercise myself!! I copied and searched each of the topics above and have gone to each website! Wow! What an experience! You can find out how to rob a bank from someone who has actually done it!

2. Once the results of your search have loaded, choose the sixth entry on the search results page. (Why the sixth? Why not? It’s my lucky number!) Click on the link which takes you to that entry.

3. Scroll through the information on that home page. Read the ads, the headlines, whatever text is on that page.

4. Click, if possible, on one of the ads on the page to find out where it takes you.

5. Click the return arrow (top left side of your screen) and return to their home page. Now click on one of the links in the body of the webpage. Very likely it will take you to additional information about the subject or focus of this website. Perhaps there’s an “icon” that indicates some specialty or featured item or copy. Click and experience it.

Hint: To keep from having to use the “back arrow” to return to the Home page, hold down your “control” key (ctrl) and click the link.  This will open up a new tab in your browser. Once you’re finished with the page, simply click the “X” in the browser tab, and that tab will be deleted.

6. Keep returning to their home page or following additional links on other pages as much as you desire.
7. Once you feel you have knowledge of the main content of this website, click the “X” in the top right of your screen to close out and exit that website.

8. Congratulations! You have surfed the net, browsed through a website, and navigated the World Wide Web!

Now let’s conquer world hunger!  Well, maybe not right now. Cleaning the dirty dishes out of my sink is my mandatory goal for today!

VIDEO TUTORIAL: Watch a short video of my experience with this exercise!