I noticed that the back and forward buttons of a browser are easily
disorientating me. For example, I start looking for some information
from point A, I dig down through A->B->C>D->E, then back to B and
branch into A->B->C->Q->R, then again A->B->Y->Z, etc. etc. to realize
that my answer lies in the thread A->B->C->D.

The problem is that although I have all these URLs in the History
area, but I no linger have the links between them. I am really
interested to see the paths/URLs linked as I surfed.

Useful information leading to free-tools etc. to overcome this
problem, $5.
Programming help with source codes etc. Upto $50

Thank you

Hi, and thanks for the interesting question.

I hope I can offer some solutions to your problem - here are some
ideas:

1.  Click on "history", click the "view" button, and change to "order
visited today".  This shows you the pages you have linked recently in
order, which could be of use.

2.  You can try this program:

WebTree 1.5  
http://download.com.com/3000-2366-881452.html?tag=lst-0-1
"The purpose of WebTree is to display the links between visited Web
pages. WebTree does this by monitoring your browser's cache and
dynamically building a Windows Explorer–like tree structure. By
bookmarking and structuring your pathway through the Web, WebTree
enables you to quickly and easily find your way back to pages of
interest. More complex than Back, Forward, or Go, it lets you navigate
the Web with more precision."

3.  This may be impractical, but I often use the CONTROL N function to
open a new page when I find a good source.  This opens the source into
a new window that I can leave in the background, and the new window
maintains the same back and forward history.  This way, you can come
back to the information you originally found, and still browse with
back and forward.

4. Try this program:

Ultimark 2.2
http://download.com.com/3000-2370-912418.html?tag=lst-0-24
"UltiMark is a URL management and Web navigation tool. It takes the
unique approach of allowing you to separate your bookmarks into two
categories: temporary and permanent. Its features include password and
ID storage, a searchable database, hot key control, and browser
independence. In addition, it is multiuser ready. UltiMark can help
you to surf faster with less frustration. Version 2.2 features an
Explorer-like interface, a favorites/bookmarks import tool, and
numerous other enhancements. This is a 30-day fully functional trial
version. The registered version can be purchased for $17.50."

I hope this helps your problem, and if you are still unhappy, need any
clarification at all, or need more suggestions, please feel free to
ask.

Thanks again,
Bobby_D-ga

---

Request for Answer Clarification by rollback-ga on 23 Oct 2002 10:07 PDT

I am concerned with the paths I create during a surfing sesson. The
path is indeed a tree with some termination nodes. I need accompanied
information which enables me to re-do the previous surfing sesson.

I am still trying with the software you suggested, but can't really
capture anything like that. It seems that they are simply
re-organizing the cache.

---

Clarification of Answer by bobby_d-ga on 23 Oct 2002 23:04 PDT

I am very sorry that I did not satisfactorily answer your question.  I
hope that this clarification may help you in your problem.

Here is another program that may be of use:

SurfVCR 3.0
"SurfVCR records your Web surfing and plays it back. It remembers
everything you've done on the Web page , what you entered and what you
selected .The import / export option lets You send your records to
friends . An additional option lets You generate executable file that
will perform recorded actions. You will be able to invoke it using the
button 'SurfVCR' on your I.E. 5.0 toolbar.”
http://download.com.com/3000-2378-8300340.html?tag=lst-0-20

This may also help:

Surf Assistant 2.0 
"Save your favorite sites with one click. Sort 4 ways. Never lose a
web site link, and find it fast. Two simple buttons, no menus,
everything is automatic. Surf Assistant installs two simple buttons on
your Intenet Explorer toolbar, no menus to navigate. Click the Add
Surf button and a tone lets you know a web page link has been saved.
Click the View Surf button and your favorite links appear. Just click
and go. SORT -- you can sort by any column. The default 'Used' column
puts your most visited sites on top. FILTER -- did you ever need to
find a page from long ago? The filter sifts through your links by any
keyword."
http://download.com.com/3000-2370-10150555.html?tag=lst-0-14

I have done a lot of searching, and have not found a program that will
function specifically as you asked (as in, saving surfing 'threads'). 
I believe that you will have to compromise, by saving links as
'temporary' when you reach something that may be useful, or sorting
chronologically.

If I can help you with any further questions you may have, or in any
other way, please feel free to ask for clarification.

Again, please accept my apologies that the answer did not satisfy your
question.  If you believe it is necessary, please request a refund
from Google Answers.

Thanks again,

Bobby_D-ga

The answer contains partial solutions to my problem. It does provide
some information to cope with disorientation problems during web
surfing, but my concern is to find/trace all the paths I create during
a surfing session. I tried the 2 software referred but could not
manage to discover anything special.

I don't know if this would work for you, but I rarely, if EVER, use a
website's "Back" button (Sorry, Google, not even you). I always use my
browser's "Back" button, which has a drop-down list of the sites I
came from, in reverse order. That way, I can easily click
A->B->C->D->E<-D<-C->X->Y.

Hope this helps!

Thank you for your comments!

The problem is when I am at A->B->C->D->E<-D<-C->X->Y but want to use
the browser provided easy interface to go back to E, if you click back
button twice you will be cak to C, but how to go to E through D.

Of course, things become complicated when I create a few traversals
path in my surfing session, nobody can exactly remeber the all the
paths although all the (URLs) nodes are there, the (edges) links among
the nodes are not there. Or at least I don't know how to find them.

Regards!