You actually DON’T visit websites

Many people believe that they actually “visit” websites — that somehow their browser magically shows them what appears on that website’s computer screen.

But the truth is very different…

Imagine for a moment that your best friend just came back from a one-week trip to Hawaii. You’re anxious to hear about the adventures, see the photos, and hopefully get the authentic souvenir Hawaiian shirt. You rush to the phone and make the call. “Sure” your friend says enthusiastically. “I’ll be right over!” In a few short minutes your doorbell rings. Behind the door your friend stands with a menagerie of photos, odd yet wonderful tiki-trinkets, and the much anticipated multicolored Hawaiian shirt.

This is exactly how surfing the Internet works (minus the Hawaiian shirt.)

What you see on your screen when you “visit” a website is actually stored on your computer. You see, when you click on a link that takes you to a website you’ve never been to before, your browser basically invites the website to “come over to your computer” to play.

Here’s how it all works.

There is a special computer called a server. This special computer has a 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week, 365 days-a-year connection to the Internet. The server simply stores all of the images, graphics, text, and a host of other files that make up a website.

When you click on a link that takes you to a website, your browser contacts the server computer where the website is kept. All of the files (images, graphics, text, etc.) of the page you want to see are sent to your computer and stored on your hard drive. As these files are being sent to you, your browser organizes them into a readable website. (Yes, the words you are reading right now and the graphics you see on Newbie Website Design are actually stored your computer!)

Where is it all stored?

All of the files you get from the websites you visit are stored in a place called the cache. The location of the cache depends greatly on which browser you are using (Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, etc.) and on the operating system you use (Mac, Windows, Linux, etc.) But don’t lose any sleep over it.

All browsers are very smart. Each has a maximum cache size — usually about 50 MB — that prevents your hard disk from overflowing with website files. When the cache reaches its maximum, the browser will automatically erase the oldest files to make room for the new stuff. Nice. Neat. And hands-free simple.

Your cache does more than just store the files that are downloaded from the websites you visit. The very next time you view the same website, your browser first checks the cache to see if those files already exist. If the content of the files remains unchanged since your last visit (images are a perfect example of this) then your browser uses the one already stored in your cache. This greatly speeds up the time it takes for the website to appear on your screen.