Downloading Software From The Web

You can download a wide range of useful software over the Internet.
The following summaries provide information on download management,
tips, web sites, and other resources.

Management. Some software installs over the web using a custom install
application, in which case you should simply follow the directions,
and there is very little management required on your part. However,
many applications require you to download the software and then
install it locally. The following four steps will help you efficiently
manage the download process:

Download folder. If you don't already have one, create a folder called
Download Files (or something similar) and store it on your desktop.
Download software. Download the software into your Download Files
folder (see tips below).
Decompress. Open up Download Files and double-click the downloaded
file. One of two things will happen:

It starts up an install program, in which case follow the directions
to install the software.

It decompress a folder of files, in which case look for a file called
"Readme", and if there is one then double-click it and read it. Then
look for the startup file, usually called "setup", or "install",
double-click it, and follow the directions to install the software. If
your system needs help decompressing the file, try using the WinZip or
Stuffit applications.
Delete. When the installation is finished, unless you want to save the
original downloaded file to perform additional installations later,
delete the file to save disk space.
Tips. When you click on a link to download a file, some browsers try
to load the file into the browser window instead of downloading the
file onto your computer. These techniques can help:

Internet Explorer. Right-click on the link and select "Save Target
As...", and then save the file to your download folder.
Mozilla Firefox. Right-click on the link and select "Save Link As...",
and then save the file to your download folder.

Sites. The following sites are good sources for free software downloads:

Google - Freeware
Google - Shareware
Yahoo - Shareware
CNet -- Download.com
CNet -- Shareware.com
File Transit
IT Pro Downloads
Nonags.com
Rocketdownload
Shareware Junkies
Simtel.Net
Strouds CWSApps
Tucows.
Resources. Additional downloading resources are listed below:

Common Internet File Formats
Graphics File Formats
Virus Protection Software.