Download Advice

Searching for freeware and shareware programs

The lists of sites detailed above are not exhaustive, but they will help you find almost everything that is currently available. Also you should bear in mind that the internet, by its nature, is constantly changing. Web sites come and go on a frequent basis. If you would like to broaden your search it is a simple matter to use any of the search engines to help locate exactly what you are looking for. Simply type in “shareware + education” or “freeware + mathematics” for example, and the search engine will present you with a list of web sites containing those words.

For more detailed information on refined search techniques on the internet, you should visit any of these sites:

 

1. www.library.albany.edu/internet/search.html
2. http://us.ixquick.com/eng/power_search_techniques.html
3. http://www.google.com/help/refinesearch.html
4. http://searchenginez.com/tutorial.html


How do I download programs from the internet?

Downloading is the process of copying a file (such as a game or utility) from one computer to another across the internet. When you download a game from a web site, it means you are copying it from the author or publisher's web server to your own computer. This allows you to install and use the program on your own machine.

Files to be downloaded from the internet are usually compressed (“zipped”) to save download time. To unzip (decompress) a file, you need an unzip utility. Such utilities are usually on your computer. Your unzip utility will provide instructions for unzipping files.  Usually, just double-clicking the downloaded zip file will start the unzip process.  The steps to downloading are presented below:

 

1. You may be asked if you want to save the file or run it from its current location. If you are asked this question, select "Save." If not, don't worry -- some browsers will automatically choose "Save" for you.

2. You will then be asked to select the folder where you want to save the program or file, using a standard "Save As" dialog box. Pay attention to which folder you select before clicking the "Save" button. It may help you to create a folder like "C:\Download" for all of your downloads, but you can use any folder you like.

3. The download will now begin. Your web browser will keep you updated on the progress of the download by showing a progress bar that fills up as you download. You will also be reminded where you're saving the file.

4. Note: You may also see a check box labeled "Close this dialog box when download completes." If you see this check box, it helps to uncheck this box. You don't have to, but if you do, it will be easier to find the file after you download it

5. What happens next will depend on the type of file you downloaded. The files you'll download most often will end in one of two extensions. (An extension is the last few letters of the filename, after the full stop.) They are: 
 - EXE files: The file you downloaded is a program. Follow the on-screen instructions from there to install the program to your computer and to learn how to run the program after it's installed.
 - ZIP files: ZIP is a common file format used to compress and combine files to make them download more quickly. Some versions of Windows (XP and sometimes ME) can read ZIP files without extra software. Otherwise, you will need an unzipping program to read these ZIP files. Common unzipping programs are WinZIP, PKZIP, and BitZipper, but there are also many others.

The most well known zipping and unzipping program is Winzip, available at www.winzip.com. Winzip itself (now at version 10) is itself available as shareware. You can try it free of charge for 45 days, after which time payment is required ($30). For more detailed tutorials on downloading, unzipping and a host of other internet-related topics the following site, “Learn the Net" is well worth a visit:
www.learnthenet.com/english/index.html.

How long does it take to download software?

It depends on (a) the speed of your connection and (b) the size of the file. No matter how fast your connection to the Internet, speeds on the Internet itself can affect download performance. Other factors that govern an Internet download speed include:

 

• The performance of the server hosting the requested website
• The bandwidth of the connection between the website's server and the Internet
• Internet traffic patterns
• Time of day (Certain times of day tend to have higher Internet traffic than others.)
• Your PC (Some components may impose speed limitations.)You may be asked if you want to save the file or run it from its current location.

In general, if you don’t have a broadband connection you will face lengthy download times. As a rough guide it will take a 5MB file about 12 minutes to download on a dial-up connection. The same file will be downloaded in about one minute if you have broadband. A 3MB will take about 7 minutes to download via dial-up, whereas it should take about 40 seconds with broadband. Similarly, a 2MB file will take 5 minutes with dial-up, but this should only take about one tenth of this time via a broadband connection.

Some tips for more efficient downloading

 

• Try and log on at off-peak times.
• If offered a choice of download locations, choose the one that is nearest geographically.
• Make sure there is virus protection on your computer, and keep it up to date. Antivirus programs automatically scan downloaded files.
• It’s always good practice to check that your computer can meet the system requirements of the program you wish to download. Check the operating system, disk space and memory required before downloading.

 

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