Downloading is easy-peasie. There are some variations to the process depending on the type of computer you use, which operating system it runs, and what software you use to access the www. But basically, it's pretty straightforward stuff. There are just 5 steps to the process:
Step 1. Create a special download directory
Step 2. Download the file
Step 3. Decompress the archive
Step 4. Running the
file
Step 5. Delete the original ZIP (optional)
After you have mastered the art of downloading, it can be a hassle to handle and work with your newly acquired files unless you have the right software installed on your system. Take a look at Step 3 to learn more about this.
Go to Step 1 back to download form
Step 1. Create a special download directory
Downloading can get a bit confusing unless you neatly file away new files. You can just use the default "My Documents" folder for all new files, but your downloads will get jumbled up with all your other files. So, to keep track of stuff you download, save it in a special location.
Methods for creating a new download folder or
directory vary slightly depending on your version of Windows but once
you have created the special location you can re-use it over and over again. And if you call your
download in-box
something obvious like Downloads, you'll always know
where to find it.
Here's how to make a special folder for storing your downloaded
files in most versions of Windows:
If you want to keep your downloads folder inside "My Documents" just drag the folder from the desktop into My Documents and you're done.
The first time you download something after creating this new downloads folder, you will need to find it in the dialog box. After that, your browser will automatically select the downloads folder by default. More about that in Step 2.
Go to Step 2 help index back to download form
Step 2. Download the file
Once you've chosen a file you want to download, click the file name. This will automatically initiate the download process. What happens next depends on your Web browser. In most cases, you'll get a dialog box that tells you where the downloaded file will be saved. Before you click OK, make sure that the file is saved in the downloads folder you created in step 1 by browsing to it.
If your browser isn't configured to view compressed files, you'll get a message like this:
"No viewer available for this file type.
Do you
want to save to disk?".
If that happens, go to step 3 and read about decompressing files before continuing. Then uncheck the box that says:
"Always ask this question with this file type"
So that in the future you'll be able to begin downloading automatically. Then click on OK. Then, select your downloads folder as the saving destination.
Go to step 3 help index back to download form
Step 3. Decompress the archive
Practically every file you'll ever download from the Internet is compressed to take up less space - this type of file is called an "archive". A compressed file not only reduces download times, but also makes it possible to download all of a program's files (like help files, images, scripts and drivers) in a single file. Dealing with compressed files makes the whole download process go more smoothly until the file is on your hard disk. At that point, the file may have one of these unfriendly looking extensions: ARJ, ARC, BIN, EXE, GZ, HQX, SEA, SIT, UU, UUE, ZIP, or Z.
On the Badges4You UK website you will only find ZIP files.
For ZIP files,
WinZip is the most commonly used extraction program. If you want to download WinZip,
click here. But beware, it is a huge file and can take ages to save to your
hard drive. If you prefer a really simple program that takes about 4
minutes to download on a dial-up modem or a few seconds on broadband, I recommend CamUnzip. You can get that by
clicking here.
It's only 854Kb and very easy to use. It doesn't do all the fancy things that
WinZip does, but it's a great starter program, and it's free.
If you've downloaded a file that ends in ZIP, you will need to use
WinZip or CamUnzip to
decompress it. Here's how to
decompress a file using WinZip:
1. Doubleclick on the file in your downloads
folder
2. WinZip opens and shows you all the compressed
files contained in the
zip file archive.
3. Find the folder where you want to save the
decompressed
files.
4. Click on the Extract button.
Here's how to decompress a file using CamUnzip:
1. Doubleclick on the file in your downloads
folder.
2. CamUnzip opens and lists the contents of the
compressed
archive.
3. Click the browse button at the end of the
Extract to: box, and find the folder where you
want to
save the decompressed files.
4. Click on the Extract button.
Go to step 4 help index back to download form
Step 4. Running the file
The
Badges4You ZIP file will contain the document you wanted. Once you have unzipped the compressed archive file and saved
the document you can use it like any other file on your hard drive. You can load it in the parent program (Acrobat
Reader or a word processor such as Microsoft Word) and read it - or print it to paper.
Go to step 5 help index back to download form
Step 5. Delete the original ZIP or EXE file
Before you start using your newly downloaded file, remember that the original compressed ZIP archive file is taking up valuable disk space. I am a great believer in deleting any stuff that has no possible future use. That way, I find I can stay unconfused for as long as 15, or even 20 minutes at a time!
If you think you may need to re-install a file by all means hold on to it. But it might be wise to move it to a CD-RW, floppy or Zip disk.
On the other hand, if you are happy with the extracted file and don't think you'll need the original downloaded ZIP file again, just delete it and free up the space on your hard drive. You can always come back to Badges4You UK and get another copy, it only takes a couple of minutes.
That's it. You're now ready to read or print the catalogue.
Back to step 1 help index back to download form
close this window
note for Firefox and IE7 users