While most people prefer to use a specific webpage as the home page in their web browser, others like the idea of having pages load blank instead, or they simply had it setup this way when they got their computer.
So, what is the about:blank page and does it serve a special purpose?
The about:blank page is built into Mozilla, Chrome, Internet Explorer and other web browsers with the purpose of providing a quick loading home page rather than the “if it bleeds it leads” websites like MSN, AOL and YAHOO that often come setup as your homepage (those website pay to have your homepage’s setup to them)
Some users may not know this but you can make anything or nothing your homepage, with the about:blank page being the “nothing” option
The true benefit of the about:blank page is that it doesn’t require any bandwidth or speed to load. So if you don’t like waiting for pages to load, you can just set that as your page and avoid load times and the internet bandwidth usage
A more in depth (techy) answer to the nuts and bolts of the about:blank page is:
The about URI scheme is designated for internal web browser use. It originated all the way back in the Netscape days (raise your hand if your old enough to remember Netscape)
FYI, Netscape was actually the basis for Mozilla Firefox so if you we’re a Netscape lover, it still lives on in an amalgamated way
The about:blank is little more than a blank internal page option, it does not depend on any external resources and serves as a good default for those who don’t want the lag of loading a home page with a lot of content.
If your computer was running IIS or functioned as a web server than this page could display internal web server pages, the “blank” switch is merely a way to force the page to load without any content.
Want to know how to change your home page, click here
Have something to add or more questions then sound off in the comments.
