Create Your Own Start Page

Create A Start Page For Your Web Browser

It isn't necessary for you to know the language of the Web to create a Personal Start Page for your browser. Netscape Navigator Gold 3.0 users have a built-in editor that's perfect for building a start page. We'll guide you through the steps you need to take to make your own page of handy links to your most visited Web sites.

By Neil Joost

Surfing the Web can be loads of fun, but your Netscape Navigator bookmarks will soon become a jangled mess as you add references to your favorite places.

Why not create your own Personal Start Page? It teaches you how to make a basic web page, shows you how hyperlinks work, and makes surfing the Web more efficient.

For Netscape Gold 3.0 Users Running Windows 95:

Netscape Navigator Gold makes it easy for anyone to build a Personal Start Page. Start by launching Navigator while off-line. After the program opens, hit the Stop button on the toolbar at the top of the Navigator window. Now, select File, then New Document, and click on Blank. This will open a new window with a fresh, blank page ready for you to construct your page.

You can do this many ways. The method I suggest is to type the title of the page, select it, then right click on the selected text and choose Link Properties. Here you can type the Universal Resource Locator (URL) of the page. The URL is the complete address of the Web page. It's easy to notice. It always starts with that http:// thing.

For instance, WebNovice Online's complete address is http://www.webnovice.com and the address of this page is http://www.webnovice.com/startpg.htm.

To add WebNovice online to your Personal Start Page type WebNovice Online. Then, select what you just typed by holding down the left mouse button and dragging the cursor across the words to highlight them. Release the left mouse button then click the right mouse button. Choose Link Properties and type http://www.webnovice.com in the URL field. Click okay and the editing window will reappear.

Repeat this process plugging in any other relevant information for the other pages you wish to add. Just make sure you enter the URL exactly. Any mistakes here and the link will not function.

After you complete your page you'll want to save it to your hard disk. Select File, then Save As. Give your start page a special name like,mypage.htm, then click Okay to save it to your disk. Remember the name because you'll need it later.

Close the editing window and Navigator will appear. In the Location window type the name and location of the file you just created to open it in Navigator. Look it over for spelling mistakes and other errors. If you're satisfied with the results, make this the page that will open each time you start Navigator. To do this select Appearance and in the text box type in the location and file name of your start page. Click Okay and your new Personal Start Page will open each time you start navigator.

You can also use the "copy & paste" method to build you page while you're actually online. This method also makes it easy to edit your page while your surfing and happen across a page you want to add to your Personal Start Page. Just select the URL of the page you are currently at. The URL will appear in the Location window on Navigator. Highlight it with your mouse, then select Edit then Copy. On your start page place the cursor where you want the link to appear, then Edit and Paste. The link will then appear on your page.

Categorize Your Links

Setup sections on your Personal Start Page for different family members with all the favorite spots they like to visit. Or, set up categories for business, games, educational, etc. That's the nice thing about having a personal start page -- you can set it up any way you wish.

Using Your Personal Start Page

Using you page is easy and makes visiting you favorite places as easy as pointing and clicking. Start Navigator as usual. If you did everything correctly your Personal Start Page will appear. To follow a link, hold down the Shift key while clicking on it. This will open the link's page in a new window. Your start page will minimize and remain accessible. To bring your page back up to choose another link, just click on the title in your system tray located at the bottom of your screen where the start button is.

That's all there is t it. You can edit and add links as you travel. Later on you can spice the page up as you desire adding graphics, backgrounds and other fancy stuff -- just use your imagination. Remember, this is your page, so make it anyway you wish.