Downloading from the 'Net:

One of the Internet's greatest features and one of my own personal favorites is its ability to allow you to download files. Downloading in itself is nothing more than the term used for transferring a file from one computer to another and the Web is host to a plethora of fantastic software applications, pictures, documents, and articles all inviting you to take them home. In a moment you'll learn "how to" download files, but first let's discuss what you can download and from where.

What's Available:

Software is all over the 'Net coming in all forms such as shareware, freeware, updates, patches, drivers, and demo versions of popular titles. Shareware is the most distributed type of software on the Web, which is basically "try before you buy" software that comes either with a prompt screen to purchase the software, or it may expire after a trial period rendering it inoperative until a "key" is purchased from its developer. Either way shareware is often very inexpensive and should definitely not be underestimated. There are some extremely powerful and useful shareware programs available, in fact a great deal of this Web-site was created with shareware!

Unlike Shareware, Freeware is exactly what it says, free! This can be downloaded and installed free of charge and usually includes anything from Windows utilities to driver updates.

Where to Download from:

There are a number of download sites that offer as many as 100,000 titles! These are primarily very reputable company's Web-sites such as computer magazine giants CNET and ZDNet. However, there are some less scrupulous distributors on the 'Net that should be avoided. Just be cautious when you download software and make sure they're a familiar company. With any major company such as Microsoft, ZDNet, Tucows, etc., you'll be safe and out of risk from viruses.

Now! Let's Start Downloading:

You're close to the tutorial, but first we have to cover one more essential detail - file compression! To make a file smaller thus making it quicker to download, it is compressed, then once downloaded to your system it must then be decompressed. There are many utilities that handle this task for you, but we recommend the industry leader - WinZip. There will be more about WinZip and file compression as you follow the Tutorial.

Okay! Ready for the Tutorial? Let's go...