Due to web traffic the best time to download is often before 11 am CST. Usually your file takes less time to download if you choose a time when the web is less busy, and early in the day is generally ideal.
I recommend that before downloading a file, a temporary folder be set up. (A folder is a portion of the disk that will contain the file that you are going to download). On my computer, a folder labeled "Temp" is used specifically for this purpose. Using the same folder each time will save you time in locating the downloaded file.
If you don't bother setting up a special folder, your browser will simply download the file sometimes to a site within the browser or to your root directory.
Once you run the set up program of your new software, lots of temporary files are created. Unless you like to spend a lot of time sorting and deleting files manually later, using a special folder is the best method of saving the downloaded file.
For the surfer using either Netscape or Internet Explorer, simply using their mouse to click on the file brings up a download dialogue box.
Identify the folder that you wish to download to (in this case "Temp"). Click on "save" and automatically your file will start to download.
The dialogue box will normally display information about the size of the file, the speed it is being downloaded and the approximate time it will take to complete the download.
The dialogue box will disappear when the download is complete. Check your file to see if the size is correct. This will tell you if your download was successful.
Files are compressed to shorten the time it takes to download them. Downloaded files are normally in two different compressed types.
One of these types are the self extracting files, which will decompress automatically when you run them.
Place these files in a folder titled with the program name before you begin extraction. Once you have them in your folder, (double) click on the file and it will begin expanding. Follow any on-screen instructions, and in a very short time your new program should be ready to go.
The second type of compressed files are those that are "zipped". In order to expand these files the user must have an unzip program.
The two most common are PKUNZIP.EXE and WINZIP.EXE. Both of these files are shareware and are self extracting. One good place to find these programs is http://www.cnet.com.
An advantage that WINZIP has is that it offers a "wizard" which is targeted to help the new user. The wizard identifies the zip files it finds (which helps the forgetful) and extracts those that the user selects.
Once you've extracted your program, be sure to go back and delete the "zipped" or compressed files. Most setup programs will create their own folder, so, if you have a folder that you created that contains temporary files (these often have incomplete file names, or have an "_" -underscore- in place of the first letter of the name), delete these also. Or you may simply delete the folder (that contains them). It takes only a few moments to create another folder. This keeps you from wasting a lot of disk space on unused files.
Remember:
- for faster downloading time -- get on line early;
- to prevent a search and rescue mission - set up a temporary folder;
- not all files are self extracting - so download either PKUNZIP or WINZIP;
- and be sure to clean up your mess by deleting the original compressed
file and the temporary files that are created by the setup program.
Susan Wehe
swehe@ix.netcom.com
http://www.netcom/~swehe/family.html
Susan Wehe is a member of the Seguin Internet Club and a regular
contributor to the Internet Beat column. This article and her
previous articles on teens and the Net, seniors and the Net, communities
and the Net, search engines, and answers to questions by new users,
can be found in the Internet, in the web site of the Seguin Internet
Club. Susan Wehe is a member of the Marion ISD Technology Task
Force.
The address of this article is http://lonestar.texas.net/~weersjt/club/articles/IB961117.htm
To contribute to this public service column, contact Gloria Rivera,
column coordinator. The purpose of the column is to contribute
to the Internet literacy of the community.
To offer ideas or join the Seguin Internet Club, whose members write articles for the Internet Beat column, contact Jerry Weers, Gloria Rivera or Alton Hierholzer, 303-0818, 303-4764, 303-9260, weersjt@texas.net, riverag@connecti.com, altonh@connecti.com No invitations nor dues are involved. The purpose of the Seguin Internet Club is to facilitate communication between Internet enthusiasts, regardless of age, proficiency or Internet service provider.