Downloads

There is a lot of free stuff available on the Internet. You can probably spend the rest of your life downloading free software, games, graphics, fonts, sounds, videos, and almost anything else you can think of. But you need to know how to download first.

But before you even consider downloading off the Internet (or sharing or transporting files using any method), you need to obtain or update your virus scanner. No matter how reliable your source, it is important to scan all your downloaded files for viruses before you extract or install them. For more information about viruses and virus scanners, see Viruses.

In general, there is a five-step process for downloading files from the Internet. They are make a special download directory, find and download the software, decompress the archive, install the software, and delete the compressed file.

Make a special download directory: To keep track of software you download, you should save it in a special location. Methods for creating a new download folder or directory vary depending on whether you're running Windows 95/98/NT, Windows 3.x, or the Macintosh OS. But once you make the folder or directory, you can use it every time you download. If you call your folder something like Downloads, you'll always know what's in it.

For Windows 95/98/NT, right-click anywhere on the Windows desktop and select New/Folder from the pop-up menu. A folder will appear on your desktop with its default name, New Folder, highlighted. Type the word Downloads over the old name and press [Enter].

For Windows 3.x, go to the File Manager, and click the root directory (usually C:). Select File/Create Directory. Then type the word Downloads to name the directory and click OK.

For Macintosh, in the Finder, select New Folder under the File menu. An untitled folder will appear on your desktop. Type the word Downloads over the folder's current label, then click elsewhere on the desktop.

Find and download the software: Downloadable software is available everywhere on the Internet--from FTP sites, Web sites, and special collections like that of CNET Download.com. Once you've found a program you want to download, click its hyperlinked title to get more information about the program. To download it, just click the "Download now" link. What happens next depends on your Web browser. In most cases, you'll get a dialog box that confirms where your download is saved. Before you click OK, make sure that the file is saved in the Downloads folder you created earlier.

If your browser isn't configured to view compressed files, you'll get a message like this: "No viewer available for this file type. Do you want to save to disk?" You should uncheck the box that says "Always ask this question with this file type" (so that in the future you'll be able to begin downloading automatically) and click OK. Then, select your Downloads folder as the saving destination.

Decompress the archive: Almost every file you'll ever download from the Internet is compressed. A compressed file not only reduces download times, but also makes it possible to download all of a program's files (like help files and drivers) in a single file. Overall, dealing with compressed files makes the whole download process go more smoothly--until the file is on your hard disk. At that point, the file may have one of these extensions: ARJ, ARC, BIN, EXE, GZ, HQX, SEA, SIT, UU, UUE, ZIP, or Z. How you handle these files depends on whether you're using a Mac or a Windows PC and what software you use to decompress these files. (The most popular decompression program for the Mac is StuffIt Expander, and most PC users rely on WinZip to handle compressed files.)

If you are a PC user, and if the file you've downloaded has the extension EXE, it's likely to be a self-extracting file that will decompress when you double-click it. Before you do this, though, drag the file into your Downloads folder or directory to keep your hard drive tidy. After you double-click the file, your installation should be complete and you don't have to worry about decompressing it. For files that end in ARJ, ARC, GZ, ZIP, OR Z, however, you'll need to decompress it with a program such as WinZip. Double-click the file you want to decompress. WinZip will automatically start up and show you all the compressed files contained in the zipped file. Click the Extract button. Select a destination folder or directory for the files (to create a new directory, just type in a name for the new folder and press Enter) and click the Extract button.

If you are a Mac user, and if you've downloaded a file that ends in SEA, it's a self-extracting file that you can decompress simply by double-clicking it. For files that end in CPT, HQX, or SIT, you'll need a decompression program like StuffIt Expander. Some browsers (including most versions of Netscape Navigator) already contain StuffIt as a helper application and will launch StuffIt automatically when you click a compressed file. If you don't have StuffIt Expander, you should download it now. After you install it, you can open compressed files simply by dragging them onto the StuffIt icon.

Install the software: Merely removing programs from their compressed archives doesn't always mean you can run them right away. Many programs need to be installed.

WinZip can make it easy for PC users: if a ZIP file contains a program called either Install or Setup, WinZip detects it and creates a button labeled Install at the right end of the WinZip button bar. Before you click this button, check the archive's read-me file for any special instructions. Once you know what you're getting into, click the Install button, and let WinZip take it away. Since installation routines vary widely, you'll have to follow any instructions as they come up. If an Install button doesn't appear in WinZip, you'll have to install the program yourself. This process varies among programs, so check the app's read-me file to know for sure.

Mac users should open the read-me file after expanding an archive to get specific installation instructions.

Delete the compressed file: Before you start enjoying your newly downloaded and installed software, remember that the compressed file (which you'll no longer need) is taking up valuable disk space. If you want to pass the software on to friends, or if you think you may need to reinstall it, hold onto the file. But if you're finished with the compressed file, just delete it.

PDF files: Some documents that you download (such as IRS forms) come as a PDF file. PDF stands for portable document format, and allows you to view documents on any type of computer. You can view the contents of PDF files with the Adobe Acrobat Reader. Acrobat Reader allows you to view documents produced on a variety of different platforms with their original formatting intact. The newest version of Acrobat Reader works as an ActiveX Control in Internet Explorer and as a plug-in in Navigator, allowing you to view PDF documents within Web pages automatically. It a free plug-in available for you to download.

For more information on downloading see the following Web site:

www.download.com

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