Downloading for the faint of heart
Sun Review Nov.6, 1999

The best things in life are free, and the Net is the best source of free stuff. You can spend the rest of your life downloading free software, games, graphics, fonts, sounds, videos, and almost anything else you can think of. But you have to know how to download first.

Luckily, downloading is getting easier all the time. There are some variations to the process - depending on the type of computer, operating system, and what browser you use to access the World Wide Web - but overall, it's fairly straightforward. In fact, it's just a five-step process:

  1. Make a special download directory.
  2. Find and download the software.
  3. Decompress the archive.
  4. Install the software.
  5. Delete the compressed file.

If you are worried about viruses, you may wish to add an additional step. Before you install the software, run your virus checker on your "Downloads" directory. Virus protection software is absolutely necessary to keep your computer healthy. Make sure you keep your virus software updated! Two popular packages are Norton Anti-Virus (www.norton.com) and McAfee VirusScan (www.mcafee.com)

Ready to download? Here we go!

1. Make a special download directory:
To keep track of software you download, you should save it in a special location. Make a new folder and call it something intuitive like Downloads so you'll always know where to find it.

Windows 95/98/NT users can right-click anywhere on the Windows desktop, then select New/Folder from the pop-up menus to create a folder on the desktop. Type the word "Downloads" over the "New Folder" name and press Enter.

2. Find and download the software:
Downloadable software is available everywhere on the Internet--from FTP sites, websites, and special collections like Download.com, Beyond.com and Winfiles.com. If you're aren't sure which site to visit, searching large archives such as Download.com is your best bet.

Once you've selected a program to download, click its hyperlinked title to get more information about the program. Make sure this program is compatible with your computer’s operating system. To download it, just click on the "Download" link or the program’s title. This should automatically initiate the download.

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 in step 1.

3. Decompress the archive:
Practically every file you'll ever download from the Internet is compressed. A compressed file not only reduces download times, but also lets you download all necessary program files (like help files and drivers) in a single file.

Once the file is on your computer, it may have one of these unfriendly looking 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 (www.aladdinsys.com) and most PC users rely on WinZip (www.winzip.com) to handle compressed files.

At this point, you may want to run your virus checker before performing any installations (before you double-click anything!)

Decompressing tips for PC users:

EXE: a self-extracting file that will decompress when you double-click it. Before you do this, drag the file into your Downloads folder or directory to keep your computer tidy. After you double-click the file, your installation should be complete.

ARJ, ARC, GZ, ZIP, or Z: Decompress the file 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.

4. Install the software:
Just unzipping the programs doesn’t always mean you can run them right away. Many programs need to be installed. WinZip can make it easy, but before you click the Install button, check the archive's read-me file for any special instructions. Since installation routines vary widely, you'll have to follow any instructions as they come up.

5. 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. Just delete it.

That's it. You're now ready to enjoy your new program.

Finding help:

 

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