Downloading Internet Files (Published in the TechEdge, 1998-99) by Wesley A. Fryer www.wesfryer.com   The internet's world-wide web offers access to a mind boggling assortment of software programs known as "freeware" and "shareware." Freeware software, as the name implies, is free to everyone: you can obtain and use these programs without any cost. Shareware software requires that after a certain period of time, usually 30 days, you must pay a small fee if you continue using the program. Some shareware programs lose functionality after this initial trial period until you pay the fee and obtain a registration number. Others (the majority of shareware programs) rely on an honor system, in which you are expected to submit a shareware fee if you continue using the software. This article describes the techniques and tools required to successfully obtain freeware and shareware from the internet using both Macintosh and Windows computers. A full-text copy of this article and links to referenced resources are available at http://www.wtvi.com/teks. When surfing the internet, if you have encountered cryptic file extensions (at the end of a file name) like "zip," "hqx," "tar," or "bin," you have located "compressed" digital file formats used to share computer files over the internet. Freeware and shareware software is usually compressed in one of these formats. The TEKS for Technology require that students "delineate and make necessary adjustments regarding compatibility issues including, but not limited to, digital file formats and cross platform connectivity…" (§126.12.C.1.c) By understanding and using the information contained in this article about downloading internet files, you can help students master this requirement of the Technology TEKS as well as obtain useful software for your classroom or school building. Everyone's budget for technology purchases is limited, so why not learn how to obtain new computer software for free or minimal cost?   Downloading? The term "downloading" refers to the process of using a network (a connection between two or more computers) to transfer a digital file from one computer to another. If you are using the internet to download, you can obtain files from computers located all over the world. Files can be transferred to your computer from "server" computers in California, Florida, Australia, Great Britain, or other locations. Transfer speeds are slower for computers located at greater geographical distances from your computer. If given a choice, therefore, it is usually best to download files from the server computer located closest to you.   Compressed File Formats and Software When any type of computer file is shared over the internet, it needs to first be compressed into an "archive." Files are compressed into archives so they are smaller and transfer faster over network connections. Sometimes, several files are combined so they can be transferred as a single file. This further speeds the downloading process. When you are trying to download a software program, you do not need to worry about compressing computer files, however. Instead, you need to decompress files when they finish transferring to your hard drive. Most versions of Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer include copies of decompression software. When properly installed, this software functions automatically in the background when you download a compressed file. The "Application helper" preference setting within your browser should recognize, for instance, a "zip" file and launch a decompression program whenever a zip file is downloaded. If you have trouble downloading compressed internet files, however, you may need to obtain a new copy of a decompression program. One of the most popular programs, which is available for free for Macintosh and Windows computers, is Aladdin System's Stuff-It Expander (www.aladdinsys.com). On the Macintosh side, this freeware program expands Stuff-It (.sit), Compact Pro (.cpt), BinHex (.hqx), MacBinary (.bin), and several other formats. If given a choice when downloading a Mac file, always choose .bin instead of .hqx, since MacBinary files are compressed more (and therefore take less time to download) than BinHex files. For a $30 shareware fee, you can obtain "Drop Stuff with Expander Enhancer" from Aladdin Systems, which enables your Mac to uncompress Zip (.zip), ARC (.arc), GZIP (.gz), and TAR (.tar) format files. On the Windows side, Stuffit Expander can expand StuffIt (.sit), ZIP (.zip), uuencoded (.uue), BinHex (.hqx), MacBinary (.bin) formats. Other archive formats supported include ARC (.arc), Arj (.arj), and gzip (.gz). It is not necessary to pay a shareware fee to uncompress all these file formats, this functionality is included in the freeware version. Alternatively, you can obtain a demonstration version of WinZip from www.winzip.com, which also performs unstuffing functions on your computer.   Chicken and the Egg Problem? If you do not currently have a copy of an decompression program on your computer, how do you get one? If you download it from the internet, it will be in compressed format and therefore unusable until you get an expansion program. What can you do? One solution is to get a newer version of Netscape Navigator from your internet service provider (ISP), which should include a copy of a file decompression program. Once the newer version of Netscape is installed, you should be able to expand compressed internet files within it. Alternatively, you can obtain a copy of Stuff-It Expander or another program on floppy disk or CD. Stuff-It Expander for both Macintosh and Windows computers is available on the WTVI Educator Internet Tools CD 1.1 for $10 plus shipping. More information about the contents of this CD and ordering information is available at www.wtvi.com/toolscd.   Obtain Shareware and Freeware To download files from the internet, you need to have: A web browser like Netscape A connection to the internet (from home, this is usually called a "PPP dialup account") Decompression or expansion software, like Stuff-It Expander Virus protection software (discussed later in this article) Once you have all four of these things setup on your computer, you are ready to download internet shareware and freeware! One of the best software sources is www.shareware.com. This website allows you to specify either the specific name of a program you would like to find, or a general subject like "math education." Before starting your search of the shareware.com database, use the accompanying pop-up menu to select the computer platform you want software for. You can select Macintosh, all Windows, Win95, Win3.1, WinNT, UNIX, DOS, Novell, or others. Shareware.com lets you view the most popular software titles for either Mac or WinTel computers by category on its homepage. Categories include Education, Business, Games, Home and Personal, Internet, Drivers, Development Tools, and Multimedia & Design. Instead, if you want to search for a specific software title or subject, enter it in the field next to "search for." After you click on your popular software category link or on the "search" button, a listing of shareware will be displayed in your browser window. Read descriptions of the software titles, and click on the name of one you want to display download locations. This third screen will display either addresses and locations of servers where you can download the software, or information about ordering the software. Some of the software included in "Shareware.com" are demonstration versions of commercially available software. Links are often provided to www.download.com where these demonstration versions can be obtained. Another excellent source of shareware is www.hotfiles.com. This resource is maintained by Zdnet, an online source of software reviews and other technology information, at www.zdnet.com. In addition to downloading shareware, freeware, and demos, hotfiles.com lets you link to recommended software titles for specific platforms and uses. For example, you can link to software for "Home and Education" or "Windows 95/98/NT." To find updated shareware and freeware sources, use "Yahoo." Point your browser to www.yahoo.com/Computers_and_Internet/Software/Shareware/ for shareware or www.yahoo.com/Computers_and_Internet/Software/Freeware/ for freeware.   Download Times When your computer is downloading an internet file, you probably do not want to use any other internet software programs since they could disrupt the file transfer. If you have a direct internet connection or a super-fast processor, this may not be a problem. For most users with 28.8 modem connections and slower computers, however, once the download begins you will probably want to leave the computer alone and let it transfer the file. BEWARE! The size of downloaded software files can be enormous, meaning that it will take hours to download the file over a standard phone modem connection. Check the size of the file, and if it exceeds 4.2 megabytes (equal to 4,200 K, the space in three floppy disks), the download time required for the file might be excessive. There is not a hard and fast rule about what files are "too big," since internet connection speeds vary as well as user's patience levels waiting for files to download. Many software programs ARE available that take less than fifteen minutes to download over a 28.8 modem connection, so don't despair. Watch out for large file sizes, however, and be prepared to wait a long time if you choose to download them. If you get impatient and want to stop the download, you can click "Cancel" in the browser window which should have opened when the file started its transfer. In Internet Explorer, select "cancel" within the "Download Manager" window.   Computer Viruses Whenever you download a file from the internet, you place your computer at risk for getting a "virus." A virus is a hidden computer program which usually damages your hard drive or installed software in some way. Over ninety percent of all computer viruses are believed to operate only on DOS/Windows computers, so Macintosh users are immune from most of these threats. No computer connected to a network is completely safe from viruses, however. The worst case virus scenario for your home computer is that your entire hard drive could be wiped out, causing you to permanently lose (if you don't have back up copies) all the documents, financial files, and other data stored on your computer. Prudent steps should be taken to prevent virus problems, regardless of what platform you use. Popular virus protection programs include McAfee VirusScan (Win - www.mcafee.com) and Symantec Antivirus (Win/ Mac - www.symantec.com). Additional information about "Virology 101" (what computer viruses are and how to stop them) is available at www.zdnet.com/pcmag/features/utility/av/uavs1.htm. Also the Virus Bulletin board contains current virus updates as well as recommendations for virus protection software (www.virusbtn.com)   Get the Tools and Get Started! Don't let the fear of obtaining a computer virus prevent you from tapping into the wealth of shareware and freeware software available on the internet! Once you have acquired virus protection software and the other tools described in this article, you can open up new worlds of computing for yourself or your students by downloading internet software. By regularly updating your virus protection software (usually available online), you can maximize your protection from viruses. Nothing can guarantee your safety from computer viruses if you are connected to a network, but the benefits of obtaining internet shareware seems to outweigh the limited risks of getting a computer virus. Wesley Fryer is a computer teacher, technology consultant, and website developer in Lubbock, Texas. He welcomes your questions and comments at wesfryer@yahoo.com.   Tools for the TEKS home | Article Archive | Technology Workshops Mailing List | Feedback | Tools and Techniques | Technology Idea Exchange Contact me using this webform. Links to my blogs are also available. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.