Downloading Files

1. How do I download a file from the Web page that I'm on?
2. How do I download a picture from a Web page?
3. Why do some Web pages tell me to click on an address like ftp://ftp.whereever.com/filename?
4. Why when I try to download some files my Web browser just shows me garbage?
5. What do all of the file extensions (the .exe .zip ect..) mean?
6. How do I unzip a .zip file?
7. Will I get a computer virus if I download a file?
8. How do I find files to download?

1.     Q. How do I download a file from the Web page that I'm on?

A. Most major Web browser allow you to download files from Web pages by just double clicking on the file. If the browser knows what the file is it will download it, open it or ask you what you want to do with this file. (top)

2.     Q. How do I download a picture from a Web page?

A. Netscape and Internet Explorer allow you to right click on a picture and choose Save as... It will then bring up a save as dialog box where you can type in the name and choose the directory you want to save the picture to. (top)

3.     Q. Why do some Web pages tell me to click on an address like ftp://ftp.whereever.com/filename?

A. This is sending you to an FTP site. Most Web browsers can download files from FTP sites. To learn more about FTP go to FTP FAQ.  
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4.     Q. Why when I try to download some files my browser just shows me garbage?

A. Your browser thinks this is a text file and is trying to show it too you. You should have a choice that allows you to just download a link. In Netscape and Internet Explorer you just right click on the link and choose Save Link AS ... It will then bring up a save file box. After you have done this you should have a section in your settings that deals with helpers. In Netscape you can find this under Options then choose General Preferences. Here you will want to click on the Helper tab. Scroll through the list of file extensions (the .exe ect after a file name). When you find the one you are looking for change the Action area to Save to Disk. Other browsers should have the same type of settings in them.
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5.     Q. What do all of the file extensions (the .exe .zip ect..) mean?

A. There are way too many of these to explain all of them but I will list the ones you are most likely to see.
.exe pc executable file
.zip a zip compressed file
.uue a uuencoded file pc standard
.ram this is a Real Audio file. If you have Real Audio you can listen to it from the Web page.
.wav a pc sound file Netscape can play this type of file directly
.au a Unix sound file Netscape can play this type of file directly  
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6.     Q. How do I unzip a .zip file?

A. You will need a program that unzips this type of file. We can recommend a few, but please note these are third party pieces of software. NCdial can't be held responsible if they should adversely effect your system in anyway. Because of the amount of utilities to unzip files NCdial cannot provide support for every program.
Windows 95/ Windows NT - WinZip
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7.     Q. Will I get a computer virus if I download a file?

A. Though computer viruses are not as widespread as the media wishes us to think, they are still a concern. It is best to get a good computer virus program. You can find one at your local computer store or you can download one on-line. Most file are safe but there are people out there who ruin it for the rest of us. (top)

8.     Q. How do I find files to download?

A. The Web has a lot of search pages out there. Some of the best are Alta Vista, Lycos, and Yahoo. These are good places to start looking for a file or program you want to download.  Search from our web site and choose from one of many great search engines to do your search.  (top)