Embedded Files
This page will eventually cover more "Download" tips... but for now it will focus on on basic item that (at this time anyway) is not easy to get instructions for... and that is:
How to download a file that is "pointed to" by a web link.
The actual instructions are in the "Download Commands" section... so feel free to jump to that. Everything before that is basic instructions on how to get to the Download Commands, plus a few safety tips... so if you are very new to all this, feel free to start from the beginning.
How to Download a File from a Web Page Link
How to Download a File from a Web Page Link
In most cases, the web link for a Download (usually clearly identified) will be "coded" so that when you "click" on it, the file (etc.) will automatically start downloading.
Actually, these sorts of links can be a real problem... which can be anything from you simply not wanting the download, to that action launching a "Malware" (malicious software program) onto your system!
Obviously, the Internet can be a risky place to travel, so it can be well worth your time to get educated. So first we will look at a few safety items.
If you "Surf the Web" on what are generally considered reliable sites, then you will probably be safe... but nothing is 100% Bulletproof!
It is essential that when you are moving from one site to another... that is: Anytime that you click on a webpage link... it is important to both: Know where you are, and know where you are going!
Identify Your Current and Future Location
Address Bar
The Address Bar is typically across the top of your Browser Window... usually in the 2nd or 3rd row of navigation tools (such as Window controls, page Tabs, navigation Buttons, etc.).
The Address Bar will list the URL (webpage address) of the webpage that you are currently on.
Some "Browser Settings" will allow the Address Bar to be turned off... if this is true for your Browser, figure out how to turn it back on!
It is very important to be able to see the address for the webpage that your are currently on.
it takes time to learn how to read URL's, so that you can at least have a chance to determine if you are where you want to be, so be patient with yourself. Talk to folks. Soon you will be able to identify common "Domain Names" that are the most safe.
Status Bar
The "Status Bar" can have different name, depending on the Browser. It also can be turned off.
In most popular Browser's these days however, the Status Bar function that we are interested in for this purpose is usually always "ON".
What to Look For...
When you hover your mouse cursor over a link... notice if a URL pops-up in the lower (left) portion of your Browser Window.
This URL will identify Where You are Going... and this is extremely important to understand!
If the URL ends in .HTML, .HTM, etc... or if it has no file-name extension... then your likely destination will be a webpage of some sort. The most common harmful file extension is ".EXE"... which is an Executable File. The list of potentially Harmful File Extensions is quite long, but there are plenty of lists out there where you can look them up, it you want to get better educated.
It is also a good idea to look at the beginning of the URL... to see what "Domain" you are going to... especially if it is a Domain that is different from the one that you are currently on.
Copycat Fraud
Examples like this are rare, but it is possible, and very easy actually, for nefarious web authors to mimic a popular web page... so it can look familiar, and give you a sense of security... but you will never know for sure unless you look at the URL in the Address Bar (for where you are), or in the Status Bar (for the page you are about to travel to).
Common File Types
Some File Formats that folks most often will see... and possibly want to download:
Note:
* Most File Extensions have 3 characters (after the "dot", which is a delimiter)
* Some File Extensions have 2 or 4 characters.
Music (Sound) Files
Image Files (list)
.GIF ... Graphics Interchange Format
.JPG ... Joint Photographic Experts Group
variants: .JPEG
.PNG ... Portable Network Graphics
.TIFF ... Tagged Image File Format
Media (Video, etc.) Files
.AVI ... multiple form "container" type
.FLV ... Flash Video
.M4V ... Apple Software
.MOV ... QuickTime
.MPEG ... multimedia "container"
variants... .MPG ... .MPE
.WMV ... Windows Media Video
Document Files (list)
.CSV ... Comma-Separated Values
.DOC ... Microsoft Word document
.DOCX ... Office Open XML document
.HTML ... HyperText Markup Language
variants... .HTM ... .XHTML
.ODT ... OpenDocument text document
.PDF ... Portable Document Format
.PPT ... Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation
variants... .PPTX ... .PPS ... .PPSX
.RTF ... Rich Text Format
.TXT ... ASCII "Plain Text"
.XLS ... Microsoft Excel Document
variants... .XLSX
Download Commands
"When in Doubt.. Right-Click"
For Mac Users it is "Ctrl+Click" on OS X ... "Cmnd-Click" on older OS versions.
Mac OS X also allows the configuration of multiple button mice. (ref ... search)
You can "Right-Click" on just about anything, and get some sort of "Pop-Up Menu", that will give you a number of options. The options given will depend on what you right-click on.
First you will want to be sure that the link you are working with is "Pointing" to the file that you want... (as described further up this page).
Once you are sure that you have the correct file link...
Right-Click on a File Link... to get an option to Download That File.
The actual command to initiate the download will vary, depending on the Browser.
Here are some typical choices that you might see... after you execute the "Right-Click" option... to get the "Command" Pop-Up Menu.
Save Link As...
Save Target As...
Download Linked File As...
Download Linked Content As...
Save to Download Folder
Be sure that you Know the Location where the file is being Downloaded To.
Most Browsers these days all use the same "default" location to download to. In Microsoft Windows, that location is commonly:
Documents > Downloads
or:
Your ID > Downloads
or:
C:\Users\Your ID\Downloads
For other Operating Systems (such as Linux or the Mac OS)... the default "path" to the Download Folder will be something similar.
It is typically allowed to change the location for Downloaded Files, but I suggest using the default location... or at least always using the same location.
Most Browsers today also have Tool-Bar Shortcuts and Menu Options that will allow you to see a list of recently Downloaded Files... which will allow you to handle the files from there, including the ability to determine their location.
Hummmmmmm...
Try to not get "boxed in" by narrow thinking. Once you understand the general idea, it is very easy to adapt to unfamiliar choices. All the choices effectively do the same thing, they are just identified differently from one Program Developer to another.
Try to learn the Concepts first... and focus on the Steps less.
Free Your Mind ... There is No Spoon!
:-)
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse