Learn The Basics Of Downloading

Downloading 101:

Eventually, everybody has to download something or other. The term download refers to moving files from the Internet "down" onto your computer. Uploading, on the other hand, is when we move files from our computer "up" to the Internet. Every time you send mail, you are uploading and when you receive email you are downloading. See, you've been downloading all this time and didn't even know it.

I have some basic tips and hints about downloading. You can do it any old way you want, but the following suggestions are how I do it. If you have a better way, I'd love to hear about it. Just email your downloading tips and I'll post them if you wish. OK, on with the show....

Download Folder		What to Do?

Virus Scan		Sub Folders

Download Enhancers		Speed Vs Time

Create a "DOWNLOADS" Folder:
I like to create a special folder just for my downloads. This way, I always know what I have downloaded and if I want to share a downloaded file with someone, I know where to look. Another advantage to this is when it comes time to "Back up my files". This technique makes it a breeze to find them all.

What I do is to open up the "MY DOCUMENTS" folder and create a new folder and name it "DOWNLOADS". Now, whenever I download a file, regardless of what type of file it is, I save it in this folder. If you need help creating a folder then click here to find out how.

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So How Do I Download A File?
What exactly is involved when it comes to downloading a file? Well, usually, you will see a link on a web page (they usually say "download".. go figure) and when you click on the link, you'll get a window that asks if you want to "OPEN" the file or "SAVE TO DISK". ALWAYS SAVE TO DISK!!

Then, once you have selected to save the file, click on OK. This will bring up a window like the one below. This window is asking where you want to save the file. Use the drop menu (the drop menu can be accessed by clicking on the little down arrow to the right of the "SAVE IN" window) to locate your "DOWNLOADS" folder. Then choose "SAVE".

From here, you will see a smaller window with a blue dotted progress bar and an image of a letter floating from the Internet (globe) to your computer. You can see on the example below that the file name is ie6setupOR.exe and it is coming from tucows-mirror.sbbnet.net. You can also see that the download speed (transfer rate) is 31.4K/Sec. (Keep in mind that your modem is probably rated at 56K/Sec.) And it also shows that there is an estimated time left of 10 seconds. It also shows you where you are saving the file. This one is being saved at C:\My Documents\ Alldownloads. (that is the name of my downloads folder)

Scan the File First
So, now we have saved a downloaded file from the Internet. Now what? My suggestion is to scan the file with my antivirus program. Depending on which antivirus program you use, there are different ways of scanning a file.

With Nortons, you can locate the file, right-click on the file and choose "Scan with Nortons Antivirus" like the image below.

And, after finding no viruses, then and only then do I open or install the file. This is done by locating the saved file and double-clicking on it.

There! Now you know how to download a file from the Internet. Good luck!

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Creating More Folders
After a while, your download folder can get really full and hard to find things in. So, being the tweaker that I am, I like to make sub-folders within my DOWNLOADS folder. One folder I create is a folder named PROGRAMS. This folder will hold all of the downloads that are actual programs, as opposed to other downloaded files that might be music files, images, or other non-program files. Then I make folders for those types of files too. It helps keep my music files with the music files and my images with my... aww you get the idea.

I also create folders for any category that might apply to what I have in my download folder. This way, it is easier for me to organize my files as I download them and makes it much easier when I try to locate them in the future. Hey, it works for me.

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Download Helpers
There are many programs out on the Internet that claim to "speed up" or "accelerate" your downloads. It has been my experience that these programs are like the miracle potions of the past. They sure do claim to fix all of your download woes, but in reality, they are all smoke and mirrors, and then some. Many of these programs actually contain what is called "SPYWARE".

Spyware is a program that runs in the background and sends personal information, such as usernames, addresses, recent websites you've visited, or whatever, to the company that has the download accelerater program. This is unacceptable to me. And I have "fixed" a lot of computers by simply removing these parasite programs that claim to help you surf the web.

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How Long Will It Take?
Depending on what type of connection you have, a large download (more than 2 megs) can take an awfully long time to download. The average modem connection can take hours to download a file that is several megabytes. For this reason, it is sometimes a good idea to begin such a large download late at night, possibly right before you go to bed. This serves a couple of purposes. One, if you do not have an extra phone line just for the computer, doing it late at night will minimize the risk of tying up the phone when someone wants to use it. Another advantage is that fewer users will be online in your area late at night and so you might just get a slightly faster connection and transfer rate, resulting in a shorter download time. Plus, who wants to sit there and watch that little blue dotted line move like molasses in February?

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