DOWNLOAD

Downloading from WEB sites and FTP sites

• If there is a web page with installation instructions save that page to your hard drive and bookmark the web page.
• If there are several download sites try to use the one that is geographically closest.
• If you can find the URL for an FTP site, save it and use your FTP software instead of using the web page link. FTP downloads usually run much faster.
• Look at the directory you are downloading from, read the index file if there is one. It will usually be called index.txt or index-00.
• If there is a documentation file and/or a readme file download these as well

• Email attachments are handled much like newsgroup attachments.
• Images, sounds, video and software are posted in various binary newsgroups. Sometimes these are copyrighted and should not have been posted, so be careful how you use them.
• Because software posted in newsgroups is put there by individuals, and because usenet is not secure, this is a source that is very vulnerable to viruses.
• Newsgroups can only contain ascii text, so binaries posted here have to be encoded and are usually compressed as well. A single binary file may be posted as a single message or split into several messages.
• After saving the message(s) you will need to decode using the same mechanism that was used to encode.
• Some newsreaders and mailreadershave decoders built in. If your newsreader does not, you will need to save the message to a file on your hard drive and use the appropriate decoder. The two most popular encoders are UUencode and Mime/base64. Decoding software can be found on the Net.
• After decoding, the file you have may be in a form that is ready to install, or it may be a zipped file.

Downloading from a BBS

• You need your own communication software to access a BBS.
• Most communications software offers you a choice of transfer protocols. Z-modem is the fastest.
• Different BBS use different menus or screens. Read the help file for the one you are accessing.
• When you download from a BBS you will often be asked to select a protocol. Choose the one that matches your communication software's setting.
• Files on a BBS may or may not have been virus-checked.

DECODING/UNZIPPING

Zipped Files
• There are many formats for file compression, but the standard for DOS\Windows\OS2 is the zip format. Most people use either PKZIP or WINZIP to compress and decompress zipped files.
• You may already have the program pkunzip.exe on your computer
  
• The full package pkzip204g.exe (for DOS) is available for free download on many FTP sites and on many BBS.
  The full package includes the compression and decompression programs and a user manual in ascii format.

Self-Extracting Files
• Some packages come in self-extracting compressed files.
  These will have the extension .exe and they do not need a decompression utility.
• These files are best placed in their own subdirectory before decompressing them, by either double-clicking on them within the Windows file manager or entering the file name in the box displayed by the File|Run option within Windows Program Manager.

Newsgroup/Mail attachments
• Decoding images and software from newsgroups
• Some newsreaders and mail readers have built-in decoders for Mime or uuencode or both
• If your reader does not have a decoder:
  save or export the message to a txt file move it to the directory of your decoder software edit the file down to the parts you need run your decoder software
• Attachment formats are NOT interchangeable
  You must know which format was used for encoding
  and use the corresponding decoder.
  common formats: Mime64, uuencode, Compuserve, AOL
• Once you have decoded an attachment it may need further software to decompress it, to view it, or to hear it.
  • Image files (.gif .jpg .bmp etc)
    gif and jpg files can be viewed in your browser
    by using the "Open file..." option
    An image viewer or graphic design package
    is needed for other image formats.
  • Sound files (.mod .mid .wav .ra etc)
    require a sound card installed in your PC
    and the sound player software for that sound format
  • video files (.avi .mov .qt .mpg etc)
    also require specific software and may require a video card and drivers other than those in your PC
• There are sources of more detailed information about decoding and decompression software. One that I like is:
  • "The Internet Voyeur" by Jim Howard

INSTALLING

• If your software came in box, you should have a user's manual with detailed installation instructions.
• If you paid for your downloaded software, you probably received a registration key, either as a separate file or in an e-mail message.
  Write it down and save a copy in a safe place.
  You will need it if you re-install the sofware later.
• Check the file name:
  A file ending in .exe may be either an installation program or a self-expanding compressed file.
  You must read the instructions to know which it is.
  A file ending in .zip needs to be unzipped using a utility.
• The installation process:
  • Read the instructions which will be in:
    • a separate read.me or readme.txt file
    • a readme file that appears after unzipping the install file
    • web page instructions (use your browser's "Save As.." option)
  • Create a temporary directory for the installation files
  • Place your installation package in the directory you've created and decompress it.
    
    • Self-extracting files usually have the extension .exe
      These can be run from program manager and will expand within the directory, but are not yet installed.
      
    • Files ending in .zip require a decompression utility.
      
    • Your compressed file should expand to several files,
      including a readme file and the installation program.
  • Backup your win.ini and reg.dat files before installing
  • Make sure you have a utility to uninstall the software
    or a means of documenting the installation changes to your system
  • Usually, quit your other applications before starting the install
  • Run the installation program. It will usually display screens to walk you through the process, including a screen where you specify a directory name for the package, and a screen to enter the registration key if one is required.
  • Windows-based software will generally set up a program group and program items within that group, as part of the automated installation process.
  • DOS-based software will not set up a program item.
    You can often run these from within Windows by setting up a program item.
    If the program does not execute properly after you have done this,
    you might also need to create a PIF file for the dos application.

VIRUS Protection

• A virus is a piece of code that has been embedded in a program. It can only be activated when you run that program.
• ANY program you receive may contain a virus. Check all programs before you run them for the first time.
• Programs downloaded from a corporate web/ftp site or in a shrink-wrapped box are less likely to contain a virus, but that is not a guarantee.
• Most Anti-Virus software is effective, but only if it is up-to-date.
  Check the update site (BBS or web site) for your package and update it periodically.
• Virus scan the file you have downloaded before you unzip it and after you unzip it. If you get a warning delete the file, and notify the download site.
• There is lots of information on the WEB about viruses and anti-virus software.
  One of the good sources of information is by Henri Delger at http://pages.prodigy.net/henri_delger/index.htm
• Some of the more popular Anti-virus packages are:
  • Mcafee:
    http://www.mcafee.com
  • F-Prot from Data Fellows:
    http://www.datafellows.com/
  • Norton Anti-virus:
    http://www.symantec.com/nav/index.html
  • Dr Solomon:
    http://www.drsolomon.com
    (note: Now owned by Mcafee)
  • Kaspersky Anti_virus:
    http://www.kaspersky.com
    Recommended by Henri Delger; available for Windows, Mac, Unix, Linux, Palm, Novell, and DOS

Finding Software

RTFM - Read The Fine Manual or other documentation for your software
BACKUP - Always back up your system before installing and running new software
VIRUS-SCAN - Always use an anti-virus package to scan a new program before you run it for the first time.

These notes are from a class given for the NYPC Internet SIG
last updated : April 12, 1999
Author: R.D.Shanen
Copyright ©1996 - 2002 by Renardine Svcs. - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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