Resizing Web Browser Windows

Sometimes the default web browser windows are not the right size to view the content on a web page. You have several options to work around this. You can use the scroll bars to move the window content up and down or to the right or left. You can also use the arrow keys and the Home, End, Page Up and Page Down keys. If you click the Resize buttons (top right corner on Windows, top left corner on Macs) the web browser will try to resize the window to fit the content. You can also click and hold on the bottom right corner of the web browser window and drag it make the window smaller or larger.

Open and Manage Multiple Windows

It is often advantageous to have multiple browser windows open at the same time. You can open a new browser window in several ways. Selecting New Window from the File menu always works. Right clicking on a link (click and hold on a Mac) will open a little menu with an Open Link in a New Window option. Typically new browser windows open with part of the original window still visible on the screen. You can switch between windows by clicking on a visible part of the window. You can also open a new window with a keyboard shortcut. Ctrl + n usually works on a Windows computer and Command (Apple key) + n works on a Mac. You can close the window by clicking the close button when you are finished using it.

Open and Manage Multiple Tabs

All of the most recent versions of the commonly used web browsers all make it possible to open new Tabs. Tabs work just like Windows but are easier to navigate. Instead of multiple windows cluttering your screen, the new windows appear with navigation tabs right above the window. You can navigate between tabs by clicking on these tabs and can close the tabs by clicking on the close button on the tab (typically an X).

Important Note: It is recommended that you always resize your web browser windows to less than full-screen size when using the course website. You can use the logo at the top of the screen for a reference point. If you resize the browser window to a width no wider than the logo, there should be room on the screen for other browser windows.

Multiple Web Browser Windows / Tabs

Many of the links on the course webpages are set to open in a new browser window (or browser tab if your browser supports tabs). This will allow you to view the linked webpage without losing your place in the course introduction or assignment webpages.

Practice Makes Perfect!

Practice the procedures described above until you feel comfortable with resizing the browser windows, opening multiple browser windows, and moving between multiple open browser windows.

Here is a link that will open this webpage in a new browser window so you can practice the procedures.

Here are some more advanced browser information if you are interested in customizing your web browser.

Change the Tool Bar Settings

It is possible to customize the Tool Bar setting to display only the buttons that you really need. You may need to check the Help files for your web browser to find this feature since the location of this option varies from one browser to the next. You are looking for an item called Customize. This option is worth finding since it makes it possible to remove buttons that you do not need and add new buttons that you might need. In the classroom, customizing the navigation buttons can help keep students from being distracted.

Change the Home Page

You do not have to use the web browser home page that was set by your internet service provider. Specific instructions for resetting the home page to a new location are found in your web browser's Help files. However, a little shortcut that works on most web browser is to click and hold the little icon just to the left of the web address in the location bar and then drag it on top of the Home tool bar button. A little dialog box will usually appear asking if you want to change the home page. If you click Yes, the home page will change.

Configure the Web Browser Preferences/Settings

This is one option that requires a little bit of caution. It is possible to make changes that will render your web browser unusable so proceed with caution. Options or Internet Options is usually found under the Tools menu on Windows computers. Preferences are usually found under the Application Menu on Macs. Check the Help files if you can not find it. Read the Help files for more information on what each of those options does.

Hide and Display the Tool Bar and Menu Bar

It is possible to hide the Tool Bar and Menu Bar. Check the Help files if you do not find these options under the View menu where they are typically located.

It is possible to perform simple navigation using keyboard shortcuts or right clicks. On a Windows computer the Ctrl key and the arrow keys often work. On a Mac, the Command (Apple) key and the arrows often work. Some web browsers support the use of the Tab key to sequentially select links on a page which open when you click the Enter/Return key. Give it a try to see if it works on your computer. Again, the Help files will give you specific information.

Configure Printing Options

You can make some changes to the default printing options by clicking on Page Setup in the File menu before you print a page. You may find it useful to have the browser print the URL (web address) of each page that you print if you will be later needing to create a bibliography entry for the page. You can also change the print orientation (portrait or landscape) for a page. It is possible to adjust the scale if the page will not print on a single sheet of paper. Check the Help files for details.

Web Browser Helper Applications

Occasionally, you will run into a web page with content for which the web browser needs a Helper Application. This will typically be some sort of player like Flash, Shockwave, Real Player, Windows Media Player, Quicktime Player, etc. Your web browser will typically notify you if a helper application is needed and will then try to download and install the necessary software. Consult the Help files or your local tech guru if you are unsure of how to proceed.

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