Downloading from the Internet:

One of the Internet's features is its ability to allow you to download files. Downloading in itself is nothing more than the term used for transferring a file from one computer to another and the Internet has alot of fantastic software applications, pictures, documents, and articles all inviting you to place them in your computer. In a moment you'll learn "how to" download files, but first let's discuss what you can, can't and shouldn't download and from where.

What's Available:

Software is all over the 'Net coming in all forms such as shareware, freeware, updates, patches, drivers, and demo versions of popular titles. Shareware is the most distributed type of software on the Web, which is basically "try before you buy" software that comes either with a prompt screen to purchase the software, or it may expire after a trial period rendering it inoperative until a "key" is purchased from its developer. Either way shareware is often very inexpensive and should definitely not be underestimated. There are some extremely powerful and useful shareware programs available, in fact a great deal of this Web-site was created with shareware!

Unlike Shareware, Freeware is exactly what it says, free! This can be downloaded and installed free of charge and usually includes anything from Windows utilities to driver updates.

Where to Download from:

There are a number of download sites that offer as many as 100,000 titles! These are primarily very reputable company's Web-sites such as computer magazine giants CNET and ZDNet. However, there are some less scrupulous distributors on the 'Net that should be avoided. Just be cautious when you download software and make sure they're a familiar company. With any major company such as Microsoft, ZDNet, Tucows, etc., you'll be safe and out of risk from viruses.

Now! Let's Start Downloading:

You're close to the tutorial, but first we have to cover one more essential detail - file compression! To make a file smaller thus making it quicker to download, it is compressed, then once downloaded to your system it must then be decompressed. There are many utilities that handle this task for you, but we recommend the industry leader - WinZip.

When you click on a downloadable file you will be offered the choice to "open" it or to save it to disk. You will want to save it to disk. This will then open a window to "save as". For your ease now, in the upper right hand corner of the window you will see a yellow folder thing with an arrow pointing up, pushing on this folder will page you up in a directory, push this button until it will go no further. Now you are about to place something on your "desktop" (the screen you see when your computer starts up). Now click on the little folder in the upper right hand with the little sparklies on the corner of it, this will create a new folder on your desktop. You can see a new folder created in the big window box ,just type in the little box "saved stuff" so you know what it is later. Then double click on the folder to open it up.

You will notice at the bottom of the download window that the file is already named as the filename. Here's a neat part. Normally the filenames will be something criptic and not recognizable later, you can actually call it what you want as long as you don't change the extension type. Netscape Navigator usually looks like Nac407 or something, but you can call it "navigator 407" so that you can understand it.

If the file is a .exe type file then all you have to do is click on it and it will do its own installation thing. Now try this download using the previous steps. It will give you an interesting little coke gift for your troubles. ;-)