Part of the initial lure most people find in the Internet is the over abundant access to downloadable files. But when presented with the opportunity to click-and-save data files, new Internet users find that downloading isn’t always as easy as it seems. Well, with the help of a few pointers and a little Spyware, you can manage to get high quality downloads with the click of a mouse.
Sound files, programs, screen savers, images, and zip files
are all downloadable files. When you
click to save them to your computer, don’t just hit OK when asked to
continue. Ask yourself a few
questions about the file you’d like to save. Is the file getting saved to a place that seems logical? Will you be able to retrieve it easily if
you have a later on? Is the files
getting saved with a name that makes sense?
These are all things to consider before proceeding to download anything.
To answer some of these questions, start by creating a
folder on your desktop entitled “Downloads.”
What you name this folder isn’t important as where you place the folder
when you create it. This is why the desktop
is the ideal location to store a folder specifically for downloaded files. Once a file is saved to the folder you
created on the desktop, you don’t have to search long for a file once it’s
downloaded.
Eventually, you’ll find that you might want a few
sub-directories within the main download folder to include a separate fonder
for “Music,” “Images,” and “Programs,” This way, when you download different
types of files, you will keep them categorized to avoid cluttering your main
download folder. This will make
searching for files easier in the long run.
Also, a good practice to start is a naming convention that makes sense
if you had to find something in the future.
Often, when you go to save a file, it’s already named for
you. But, the name that appears isn’t
always the best choice. Many times,
names are incomplete and terrible at describing the contents of a file. Other times, all you have to go on is what
looks like a set of random numbers, with an occasional letter thrown in for
good measure. So, to help jog your
memory should you have to find a file at a later date, get in the habit of
correctly naming files.
Follow this
naming structure to avoid any confusion when looking for a file:
This is just an example. If you find something that works will for
you keep using it.
One by-product of the browser war between Netscape and
Microsoft is the way each browser
performs the same task. Since Netscape
was the first on the scene, to set the early standard of naming different
functions that a browser can perform.
Microsoft followed soon after, with its own naming structure for many of
the same features.
Method used to download different
file types between IE and Netscape:
-
IE Save picture as? Save target as?
-
Netscape Save image as? Save link as?
Once you’ve selected a file eligible of getting downloaded, simply right click the image or link.
Depending on what browser you’re using, use the table above to make the appropriate selection. If you use IE, you’ll be greeted by a pop-up window asking you to “Run from the current location” or “Save to Disk.” In both instances the file is downloaded, but “Run from the current location” places the file in a temporary directory and then opens the file after the download is complete. If you choose “Save to Disk,” you then will see the same thing a Netscape user sees, the “Save a pop-up window.
In the “Save As” window, name the file, select where it should be stored and double click the file type to make sure it really is the file you intended on downloading. This means if you want to download a program, check the extension and see if it’s and .exe. Or if it’s a MP3, see if the file ends with a .mp3 extension. When everything checks out, click OK.
Download
manager
Since the Internet works in mysterious ways sometimes, you might find downloading easier with the help of a download manager. These are nifty programs designed to aid in downloading all files dnow to man. If you get cut off in the middle of a huge download, never fear. They can pick up the pieces and start form the same place the cutoff occurred. Try installing Download Wonder v1.55 if you would like to take the mystery out of successfully downloading something.
Warning: A recent development has surfaced regarding the use of download managers. Noël associated with the tern Spyware, they’ve been know to track users’ download habits.
If you’re thinking about using one be on the alert, someone may be watching you.