Question: What is downloading and how do I do that?

Answer: Downloading is simply copying a file from a computer somewhere else to your computer and we'll talk about the how below.

Downloading files is one of the pleasures of the internet. Finding that free card game or trying that new adventure game that works great on the first 3 levels (then you have to purchase the CD to find out how the adventure continues to unwind.) Whatever your interests are there are many benefits to finishing reading and understanding this page.

 First, you should make a new directory where you can download your new treasures. Too often we start downloading something and because of interruptions or lack of time we can't finish installing and trying out our newfound toys, utilities or whatever it happens to be.

    Macintosh - Click on the desktop and select New Folder from the File menu
    Change the name to downloads

     Windows 95 - Right-click on the Windows desktop and select New Folder from the pop-up window.
    Change the name to downloads
     
     

Second, you need a decompression utility. Take some time and download  Aladdin Systems, Inc.'s freeware Expander products allow users to decompress, decode, convert and access files from all the popular compression archive formats. These include StuffIt, Zip, UUCode, BinHex, MacBinary, Arc, Arj, gzip, Lha, Unix Compress, Tar, Compact Pro, Applelink package, and more. It is available for Macintosh and Windows and DOS, and has become the universal decompression tool. UnStuff, UnZip, etc - you only need one tool - It's the only expansion utility you will ever need. -- This works great for your attachments also.

 Third, find something you want to download. There are many different sites that have freeware (software that is free), postcard-ware (send the author a postcard) and shareware (software that is free to try - usually for thirty days - and then you send in a small fee to unlock the file so that it will continue to work after the thirty days). And there is even some commercial software that you can download if you want to purchase software over the internet.
 
 

    www.download.com
    www.shareware.com
    www.davecentral.com
Forth, decompress the software that you downloaded and install it. The files are usually compressed to reduce the time it takes to download. A file is typically 25% to 50% smaller when it is compressed.
 
 
    Mac files typically will end in:
    1. .hqx the file has been binhexed
    2. .cpt the file was compressed with Compact Pro
    3. .bin the file is in Binary form
    4. .sit the file was compressed with Stuffit Deluxe
    5. .sea the file was compressed with Stuffit Deluxe and saved as a self-extracting archive
    6. .dd the file was compressed with Disk Doubler
    Windows files typically will end in:
    1. .arj
    2. .arc is an older DOS compression
    3. .zip the file was compressed with zip
    4. .exe is an executable file - no utilities needed - this is the way Stuffit Expander comes.
    Unix files typically will end in:
    1. .Z Unix built-in compression program
    2. .tar stands for tape archive
    3. .z or .gz Gzip is the free GNU version of ZIP
    4. .uue uuencode
    ALADDIN Stuffit Expander will handle all of these for BOTH Mac and Windows. If you run across some file on the opposite platform it will still uncompress the file. So if you downloaded a document that has 5,000 jokes and it's compressed on a Mac your Windows machine will still decompress it if you have Stuffit Expander and vise-versa.
     
     
Installing the software is usually pretty straight forward.
    Macintosh - look for the read me file and follow the instructions. If the program needs to be installed you will probably find a icon called install but there are many programs on the Mac that will run find without installing them. The files are decompressed and do not install any system resources so they are ready to run from the desktop.

     Windows - look for the readme file and follow the instructions. There will probably be a file labeled install.exe.

Fifth, get rid of the stuff you don't need after you install the software. The compressed file and any other scraps of information that were created that you don't need. You do not need the compressed file anymore - if you want to save it on a zip disk or something do that right away and then get rid of the compressed file from your hard drive. It is taking up space and it is not needed anymore. An example - when you download Adobe Acrobat Reader it is compressed - when you decompress it - it creates an installer program - when you install the program all is fine but now you have three things on your hard drive - 1) the compressed file (you don't need) 2) the installer program (you don't need) 3) the installed program (you need this).

Sixth, you might want to check the new files for Viruses
If you get the file from one of the big companies - your probably all right - but they even let some slip through from time to time. Read how and where to get a virus program here. You need to download it - but hey, you've got that covered now!

Seventh, if you don't want to keep the program that you downloaded, be careful how you get it off of your hard drive. If you just throw it away (Trash on Mac and Recycle-Bin on Windows), you might be causing problems down the road. On the Mac - see if there are any extensions or control panels that were installed into the System folder. Newer programs usually include an installer log that tells what files were installed and where they are now located. On Windows - look in the control panel and see if there is the option to remove the program (under Remove Programs).

Eighth, ENJOY your new toys.

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