Enable more features to improve your web experience

Most web sites offer extra features when you have javascript enabled on your web browser. For example, on our site, we offer easy access to our 'Internet for Beginners' lessons and one-stop access to popular retail stores through the use of drop-down lists. These drop-down lists require javascript. Javascript also allows users of this site to use the 'Change Text Size' feature in the top of the right column on each web page. This features allows users to increase the size of text on our web site to make it easier to read.

There are some web sites that will not work at all unless you allow javascripts. For most of you, javascript is already enabled by default. If you have reached this lesson but are still unsure whether or not you have javascript enabled, try to increase and then decrease the size of this text. Again, you will find this feature in the top right column of this web page. Click a couple times on 'Increase'. If the text increases in size, you are all set to go and do not need to continue with the rest of this lesson. If the text size did not increase, you can enable javascript with the following steps.

Most of you will need to follow the directions for Internet Explorer. Once you make the change, you will not have to worry about it again because it will keep javascripts enabled until you manually turn them off. Following the directions, I will provide some background information about javascript.

Internet Explorer

  1. Click on Tools - Internet Options.
  2. Select the Security tab.
  3. Click the Custom Level button.
  4. Scroll down until you see 'Scripting' (near the bottom). Select the 'Enable' radio button under 'Active Scripting.'
  5. Click OK to save changes.

Firefox

  1. Click on Tools - Options.
  2. Select the Contents tab.
  3. Check the 'Enable Javascript' box.
  4. Click OK to save changes.

More about Javascript

Javascript was automatically enabled with Internet Explorer 6. However, the newer version of Internet Explorer (IE7) does not have javascript automatically enabled. This change is due to concerns that users may visit unfamiliar web sites that wish to spread a computer virus. This could occur when a user takes an action such as pressing a button or link on the web page created by a criminal.

What is javascript? Most web sites use programming code known as javascript. Javascript allows web sites to provide more useful and creative features (bells and whistles). Many web sites will continue to work just fine with javascript turned off. You will just be missing the bells and whistles. Other sites (including some very recognizable names) will not work unless javascript is enabled. If you have run into problems shopping online, booking travel or signing in to a user account, chances are these features will work once you enable javascript. A few web sites, such as www.expedia.com, will inform you that javascript is required. Others will just fail to work when you try to execute an action.

For a point of reference, a report from the antivirus provider, Symantec, noted "Many people enable the execution of JavaScript code on their Web browser. Formal studies show that 95 percent of Internet users fall into this category [2]. In fact, nowadays almost all popular Web sites use JavaScript, so it's necessary to have it functioning properly."

Our advice would be to enable javascript but to make sure you always keep your software up-to-date. This include your anti-virus program, your operating system (Windows XP, etc.) and your web browser. Most of these programs should be set up to update automatically. In addition, never respond to an email, even if it looks like it is from the government or your bank, if it asks you to go online and enter personal information. These organizations will never ask you by email to supply this data. If you follow these two security measures, you should have a safe and enjoyable experience surfing online.

That ends this lesson on enabling javascripts. Hopefully, you have finally solved the problem of why so many web site features do not seem to work for you. Earlier we mentioned that you only have to enable this feature once. However, it is possible this feature will be turned back off when you install a new or upgraded version of your web browser. Should your javascripts fail to work, you can always come back to this article by selecting 'Advice Articles for Beginners' near the top of the right column on any of our web pages.

More Lessons on Internet Help for Beginners
See also Internet Security for Beginners and Email for Beginners

  • Lesson 1: Computer Mouse - How to use it and when to push the buttons
  • Lesson 2: Hyperlinks - How to open a new web page
  • Lesson 3: Back Button - How to return to the previous web page
  • Lesson 4: Windows - How to manage windows on your screen
  • Lesson 5: Web Browser - What are Internet Explorer, Firefox & Safari?
  • Lesson 6: Address Bar - How to enter a web address
  • Lesson 7: Web Page vs. Web Site - Learn the difference between the two
  • Lesson 8: Menu Bar - Access to everything you need
  • Lesson 9: Bookmark Favorites - Save your favorite web sites
  • Lesson 10: Drop-Down-Lists - How to make selections on web sites
  • Current : Javascript - Why some web sites do not work for you
  • Lesson 12: Web-Accessibility - Problems reading web sites

Help Others & Good Luck

Our goal is to make you comfortable using the ever expanding internet. We especially want to reach out to online beginners and let them know it is not too late to get started. As more services, especially free ones, move online, we believe it is important that everyone learn the basics for navigating the internet. Think of a family member or friend who may find this web site helpful and forward it to them today. We wish you Good Luck and an Enjoyable Journey on the Internet.

ShopWithTrust.com also provides easy access to trusted retailers. We keep things simple for you by only listing stores with a long history of name recognition. We would like to be your one stop source for online shopping with stores like Macy's, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy. Thank You and Best Wishes.

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