| How to Download Files from the Web |
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Even if you are new to the Internet, you have probably heard the terms
"upload" and "download." Uploading and downloading are simply terms
used to describe the process of moving files from one computer to
another. If you send a file to another computer, you upload the file or
send it up. If you receive a file from another computer, you download
the file or bring it down to your computer. Once you have been on the Internet for even a short period, you will realize that the Web contains a lot of information that you might want to download. This is especially true of software programs. There are many useful free or inexpensive programs found on the Web. How to Start Although the process of downloading files may seem intimidating to the neophyte, it is fairly easy. First you hook up to the Internet and start your Internet browser, e.g. Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. Then locate the file that you want to download. For instance, if you wanted to find some great free business software, you could go to the nxtConcepts.com website. 1. Look through the “Free Extras” area until you find a file that you want to download. Once you have found the correct file, you either click on the file name or click on a button labeled "Download" or "Download now." 2. A screen will pop up asking what you want to do with the file. You can choose to Open or Save the file. You can open the file directly from the Web site, but this might adversely affect other programs that are currently running on your computer. The better choice is to save the file. 3. Then, before you open and run the file, you can check the file with a virus scan. Remember to close all other programs before you install the program. Although, reputable sites like nxtConcepts.com should not be a problem with bad files, it’s a good practice to get into to scan everything prior to running on your computer. 4. Note: You could be asked to choose a download site—New York, London, etc. Choosing a site in the geographic vicinity of your current location is usually the best choice. Be sure that the file you are downloading is the appropriate one for your operating system. Often this will be done automatically, but sometimes you must choose the proper file yourself. There are often different versions of a file needed for Windows and the Mac. If you have the choice, it is best to match your operating system exactly. Use the program marked Windows XP if you are using Windows XP, etc. Also, if you are given any special instructions for installing the program, this would be a great time to print them out. 5. After you choose to Save the file, you will be presented with another window that asks where you want to save the file. The program will choose a folder where it will put the file and a name that the file will be given. You can either accept these "so-called" defaults, or you can change them. A quick way to download a file to make it easy to find is to place it on your Desktop. Otherwise, create a new folder called “Downloads” in you’re my Documents area. Smart Downloading Habits Before you click "Okay" to save the file to your disk, you should be aware of two important things. First, you will have to remember where the file is located and what it is called. It's perfectly okay to just accept the defaults and let the program choose where to put the file and what to name it. However, make a habit of writing down the name and location of the file so that you can find it later. Second, if you do rename the file, do not rename the extension. The three letters that follow the period in a file name are the extension. The computer uses these three letters to determine the type of file that it is working with. Feel free to rename the file (the name in front of the period) anything you like. However, you must keep the extension the same as the name suggested by the computer or you will confuse the computer when it comes time to install the file. How Long Will It Take? Both Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape have a progress indicator that tells you how much time is remaining in your file download process. Unfortunately, the indicators in both of these programs are unreliable. Allow yourself enough time. A large file can take several hours to download, depending on the speed of your modem. It is a good idea to remain in the vicinity of your computer in case there is a problem with the download. Sometimes you may receive an error message or be asked if you want to disconnect from the Internet. If you are monitoring the download process, you can take immediate action. Once the download is complete, you may or may not get a notice to that effect on your screen. Finding the File Even if you have written down the name of the file, sometimes you can't find it when it comes time to do the install. If that's the case and you're using Windows, you're in luck. Just go to the Start button and choose "Search"; then choose "Files or Folders." ("Search" is called "Find" in Windows 98). Type the name of the file in the search window. Make sure that the "Look in" box contains the name of your hard disk(s). Click "Search" or "Find Now" and Windows will find the file for you and show you its location. You can start the installation process right from the "Search Results" box by clicking or double-clicking on the correct file. Installing the File If special instructions were given when you downloaded the file, follow those instructions for installation. If the file that you downloaded ends in .exe, it is an executable file. That means all you have to do is click on the file and it will start the install program. Then follow the steps given on the screen to complete the installation. Downloading Web Pages Sometimes you may want to download a Web page instead of a file. It's easy. Just choose the "Save As" option in your Web browser and name the place where you would like to save the file (usually your hard disk). The hyperlinks (links that take you to related Web sites) on that page may become inactive, and, in many cases, the graphics will not be saved. However, this can be a quick and easy way to save important text from a Web page. Overcoming Roadblocks At times you will not get a successful download on the first try. If this happens, choose a different download site, if you have that option. Otherwise, just try the download again. The time of day can be important when you are downloading a file, especially a large one. When the Internet is busy, the Web can become congested slowing down transfer times. Internet usage usually peaks between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. daily, with heavier use on weekends. The speed of your modem and the size of the file are the most influential things in determining the length of time that a download will take. You cannot change the size of the file, but you can usually change the speed of your modem. Unless you are already using the fastest modem available, you can upgrade to increase the speed of downloads. Worth the Effort It might take you some practice to master the process of downloading, but I am sure you will agree your new skill is worth the effort. Downloading is one of the most valuable functions in the computer world. Need help implementing a new sales or marketing program? We've got two suggestions:
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