Downloading files or programs

What is it?

A network and the Internet in general are great tools for sharing files, programs and documents. When someone decides they want other people to have access to a document, they will share it. If you go and get that document, you download it onto your computer so that you can see it. Be careful! You can download programs that you do not need and sometimes ones that you do not want. If you're not sure, don't click!

How do I do it?

Fortunately downloading files and programs is quite easy. Usually you click on a link on a website which says 'Download'. A window will pop up asking if you want to Run the File from its current location or save to disk. Usually you want to Save to Disk. This means you are putting the file on your computer. Trying to run programs through the internet can be slow and unreliable and will slow down the connections for everyone.

You will be given a choice of where to save the program, usually it picks a default location but pay attention to where it is saving it! You may want to find it later! Click Okay or Next and Agree to the license agreement if any. Voila, you have downloaded your program or file. Note that you do need to open the file you downloaded before it will do anything. If it did not automatically launch, find the file and double click on it to open it. Note also that some files and programs have specific instructions which you should get from the page you downloaded it from.

Common Problems
I can't find the file I downloaded!

Don't panic! Windows and Macintosh both have Search programs. If you remember what the file was called you can search for it.

• In windows go to Start and Choose Find or Search. Select 'files or folders' and type in the name of the file, if you don't remember the complete name part will do. For example searching for 'eud' will find 'eudora' as well as any other file with a name including the letters 'eud'.
• On a Macintosh computer, click on the apple and find a program called 'Sherlock' (you can also double click on your Harddrive and open the 'applications' folder.) Type in the name of the file you are looking for or a word or phrase in the contents and click the search button (it may look like a magnifying glass).