LESSON 13 Downloading Internet Files
All of us are tempted to take advantage of the hundreds of offers of free or nearly free software available on the Internet. We can come across a hyperlink to another file, such as a Microsoft Word document, that you can download instead of opening. Now we need to know how to handle downloads.
If Internet Explorer or any web browser you are using fails to recognize a particular file type, or if the file is an actual program, you will see a warning before the file is downloaded to your computer.
What would you like to do with this file?
Save it to disk
Ok and Cancel or choices after your selection.
1. Click the hyperlink for the file or program you want to download
2. In the Internet Explorer dialog box:
· Click Open It to view a document or run a program.
· Click Save It To Disk to save the file or program with out opening it. By saving a file to your computer, you can work with it later.
Note: Computer viruses are fairly rare on the Internet, but they can damage your computer or files. If you are concerned about a particular download, you should click Save It To Disk and them run the file through a virus-scanning program before opening it.
Most of the computer programs now have a Files setting and transfer Wizard. In Windows XP this wizard is found under Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools. If you do not have this program to upload your downloads automatically for you, then you can activitate the program yourself, by going to your documents and looking for the downloaded program. Usually a folder containing your downloads will be at this site, or on your desktop, depending on where the download is placed. You can right click on the folder; and click on OPEN for the file to be installed.
Files at TTP sites are stored in different directories. Directories organize information at an FTP site, just as folders organize documents in a filing cabinet. Most well established FTP sites include files that describe the rest of the files offered at the site. Look for the files names “read me” or “index”
Many large files stored at FTP sites are compressed, or squeezed to make them smaller. Compressed files transfer more quickly over the Internet. After you transfer a compressed file to your computer, you may need to use a compression program to expand the file before you can use the file. You can find compression programs at the following Web site.
WinZip(Windows) http://www.winzip.com/
Most of the windows 98 to XP have this program included in them.
File names: Every file stored at an FTP site has a name and an extension, separated by a period(.). The name describes the contents of a file. The extension usually identifies the type of file. Some common extensions are GIF (Graphic interchange format) and JPEG ( Joint Photographic Experts Group) MP3 (Motion Picture Experts Group Audio Layer 3) and pdf ( Portable Document Format)
The following URL(Uniform Resource Locator) sites may be of interest
NETPETS Find products, services and general information about birds, dogs, cats, horses and fish. http://www.netpets.com/
National
NASA
presents pictures, information and links to all major NASA research locations
in the
Planetary Society explore the solar system and search for life in the universe with this amazing site. http://www.planetary.org/
PharInfoNet If you want information on prescription drugs or on pharmacies in general, look here. http://www.pharminfo.com/
Optical Illusions Let your eyes play tricks on you at this interesting Web site. There are 27 optical illusions that are bound to boggle your mind. www.Members.aol.com/Ryan/optical.html
Send a Virtual Postcard to someone else on the Internet via this site at MIT. www.media.mit.edu/Postcards
Clip Art Connection Thousands of free clip art images you can use. http://www.clipartconnection.com/
Medical Breakthroughs. Be informed with the up-=to-date medical news at this site. http://www.ivanhoe.com/
Ha! Need a good laugh to brighten up your day? Have a joke to share? This site gives you the opportunity to do both. http://www.hardyharhar.com/