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Internet Basics: Downloading Files and Programs
Set up a "downloads" area: The first step
here is to create a new folder or directory on your hard drive entitled,
simply, "downloads." This file can reside anywhere you like.
I keep mine on the "desktop" where I can easily find the new
things I get. Some people also find it helpful to put the "download"
directory at the root level of their c: drive.
With a downloads directory, you'll always know where your new files are. Sometimes it's not always that easy to identify a file such as "nsn30.exe" as the new Netscape browser you just downloaded, but if it's in your "downloads" directory you're more likely to be able to guess which file it is.
Scan for Viruses: You should either have a virus detection
software program running in the background (Norton Antivirus is a good
program) or you can download any of a number of freeware or shareware
virus detection programs. Macintosh users are familiar with Disinfectant
3.7. In this case, please do as I say and not as I do. I don't scan as
often as I should, but I use so much "beta" (prerelease test
versions) software that I'm always reinstalling files and reconfiguring
my systems. (Another reason I simply love the little Iomega Zip drive.)
For more information, visit the Anti-Virus Resource Center.
Most viruses do not infect your computer until you launch a program, but with the Web increasingly supplying us with little mini-applet applications and such, the potential for downloading a virus off a simple Web page is increasing. And your scanning software won't always detect the latest viruses. Be smart and learn to make backups a habit. You live longer and you'll have fewer wrinkles!
Look at File Formats: You need to be able to
recognize the file formats of files you will be downloading so you'll know
what to do with them once you have them. Typical formats include the following
extensions:
- .sea or .exe - These files are self-extracting or will launch when you click them.
- .sit, .zip, .tar, .hqx, .bin - These are compressed files (compressed so they don't take so long to transfer) for which you will need a file decompression program to access. These programs are discussed below.
- .mov, .mpeg, . (a video file), .au, .aiff, .wav (sounds), .txt (text), .midi (sound).
You'll now be able to recognize many of these in the Netscape helper applications option. You can tell Netscape to launch certain software programs based on the extensions of the files you download. For instance, if you download a file with the extension .mov, you can tell Netscape that this is a file you want to open with the QuickTime movie player plug-in by launching Options, General Preferences, Helpers. Visit that area of your browser now to familiarize yourself with some file extensions.
After you have downloaded, installed and enabled (in the options/general preferences/helpers menu above) your QuickTime Plug-In, visit the CNN Video Vault and try it out! You'll have to wait for the file to load, then you can play it and save it to disk if you want by holding down your right mouse button while clicking on the movie.
Compression Utilities: And since most files are transferred
via the Internet in compressed format, you'll need a file decompression
utility to inflate them. The Stuffit
Expander freeware program is available for both Macintosh or Windows
from Aladdin Systems (now bundled with the latest Netscape package for
the Mac). A similar Windows utility called WinZip
is also a good decompression program.
Uploading Files: You can use Dartmouth's Fetch
FTP program for the Macintosh or CuteFTP for Windows to upload files to
a server. Both are widely available shareware programs (search for them
at Shareware.Com). Netscape also
has built-in FTP capabilities (but these are not as flexible as the other
programs).
To reach your FTP site via a Web browser, type in this URL:
ftp://youruserid:yourpassword@yourserver.domain
This will connect you to your specific upload directory on your server. Typically you must first confirm this with your Internet service provider.
Creating a Web page: This is beyond the scope of this
class, but suffice it to say that creating a Web page can be easy. There
are lots of freeware and shareware HTML programs available on the net,
but all you really need is a simple text editor, such as Simple Text for
the Mac or the Windows Notepad. I love the little icon that used to be
at the bottom of the "Y'All.Com"
Web site that says it's powered by the Windows Notepad. Simple and elegant
and they know their codes. Sure, they're nice, but you don't really have
to have a fancy program. My current favorite is Macromedia's Dreamweaver.
Here are some online tips for creating your own Web page.
c. 1996-99 Julie Wolpers, Poplar
Bluff, Mo. Made with Macintosh