How to Download Files from the Net
Using Netscape
Let's say you're at some great page on the Net and it has a really nice
program that you can get for free. In most cases there will either be a "Download
Now" or "Filename.Zip" listed as a link. There will be something there to
click on to start the process. Follow the steps until your browser finds
the file itself.
When the file (something.zip) is found. Netscape will ask what you want to
do with the file.
Click on the "Save to disk" button. In some versions of Netscape the wording
may be slightly different, but the meaning is the same.
When you begin to save the file, Netscape will ask you two question in the
same dialogue box. The first item needed is a file name. Usually this is
going to already be in the filename box. If for some reason you didn't get
the name there or you want to change it, simply click on this block and enter
the file name.
The second thing it will need is a directory where to place the file. The
default directory is going to be your Netscape directory unless you have
previously set another. In a long box you will see a list of directories.
If Netscape is not the directory that you want to download into double click
on the C:\ at the top of the list. This puts you into your root directory.
Scroll through the list until you find the directory that you want to put
the downloaded file into.
A TEMP directory is good. You might also make a DOWN or a DOWNLOAD to be
used as your permanent download directory.
Once you have the directory chosen, click on OK.
You will now get the downloading file box that will stay up as long as you're
downloading. When finished the box will go away. Most files have the length
designated in a file that Netscape can read and you will see a bar go across
the bottom to keep you informed as to the download process, a percentage
downloaded figure is also shown. In some cases the file size is not available
so instead of the bar Netscape will keep track of the amount of file downloaded
in the box. Either way this is sit and wait time for most of us.
When finished the download box disappears and your browser becomes the main
window again.
If you have the memory you can click on the browser page to go back to it,
or even start another application. The disadvantage to this is that you put
the download into the background of the computers operation and it will be
slower. You also take a risk of trying to download another page or make use
of your modem in some other way. This can cause a conflict and cause you
to be dropped by either or both parties.
Files that have an extension of .ZIP are called zipped or compressed files.
What this is is a file with usually more than one file included and all the
spaces have been removed and a mathematical process run to make them into
one file much smaller than the total of the original files.
You can UNZIP or decompress a zipped file into the full size programs that
it contains by running a program such as PKWare's PKUNZIP or WinUnZip. You
most likely have one of these programs already but if not they can be downloaded
from the Net as an executable file and when run will set themselves
up.
I recommend that you download the WinUnZip program if all you
intend doing is using it to use on files you download from the
net. This program comes in both a Windows 16 bit and a Win95 32
bit version. Be sure you download the correct version for you.
The link below will take you to NONAGS, a free software download
site on the net. From the main menu choose find the "Decode, Zip"
menu option, and choose either Windows or Win95. WinUnZip is the
last item on either list. Click on the file name and download the
file. After downloading this EXE file, double click on it from
either File Manager or Explore. The program will install itself.
Accept the defaults and the next time you want to unzip a file all
you need do is double click on it. WinUnZip will run and do this
for you.
Send comments to:
Ron Marriage -
marriage@seidata.com