IAI Tech Support does get a number of calls relating to downloading and the possibility of being infected with a computer virus. This page will attempt to answer some basic questions and help new users get up-to-speed on this Internet technique. Downloading, or transferring data from a remote computer to a local computer, is the single most popular activity on the Internet. You can download anything from computer programs, reference material to artwork. This how-to assumes you use Netscape, but all web browsers should operate in about the same way.
Follow these steps to download a file or software:
1) Click once on the appropriate link or button that reads:
Download
Wait until Netscape asks you what to do with the file.
Select:
Save File
You will then be shown a dialog box that will prompt you to save the file on your hard drive. We recommend creating a new file folder labeled Temp or Download, and always saving to the same file, so you can keep track of where you are saving these files.
Once you select the folder or directory you want, select:
Save
Netscape will then save the file to your hard drive.
If this is a program that you want to install, you'll need to locate the file outside of Netscape and open it. You may be able to just double-click on it to install it, or you may need to decompress it first in a temporary folder, and then run a setup or installer program.
To download an image, right click on the image itself and select:
Save Image As (Macintosh users click once and hold down.)
Then follow the instructions above.
To download a web page, go to: File and select: Save As
Then follow the instructions above.
If you need a decompression program, you can pick up WinZip (if you have a Windows computer), or Stuffit Expander (if you have a Mac).
Please be aware that downloading is not an area where Internet Alaska offers phone support but we do hope that the above information is helpful.
