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Download window
A
persistent annoyance in IE 4—the download window—can
be easily eliminated in IE 5 or 6. During any current download, check
the box "Close this dialog box when download completes."
As soon as the file is transferred to your PC, the open box will
close.
To
turn it back on, you can either uncheck the box during your next
download or click Tools, then select Internet Options. In the
Internet Options window, click the Advanced tab and check the
box "Notify when downloads complete" under Browsing.
Large files
Large
files can take a long time to download. The longer they
take, the greater the risk that something will go wrong and
you will have to start again.
However, most servers allow you to start again from where
things went wrong. To do this you need a download manager,
such as FreshDownload (free from
http://www.freshdevices.com) or Download Accelerator
Plus (from
http://www.speedbit.com/DAP7/Default.asp?). Download managers also
allow you to schedule downloads for off-peak times, such as
at night, which is useful if you have more favourable
download quotas off-peak..
What is that file?
Most of us download installation files from time to time. Usually the filename
is quite obscure and, when you come across it in a few months' time, tells you
little about the file. Of course, you can start the installation process to find
out what the file is, but there is a better way. My own technique is to have a
Download directory divided into sub-directories.
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Click on the Desktop and choose to make a new folder. Name it
Downloads. Placing it on the desktop makes it easy to find when you want to
install the file you just downloaded.
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When you are asked where to save the file, choose the Downloads
folder. When the dialogue box opens, click on the New Folder symbol (a folder
with an asterisk) and create a sub-folder, giving it an informative name. The
name should tell you what the file is. For example, the downloaded file might
be called imf_fw.zip, but you would name the folder Image Forge.
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If you do a lot of downloading, you may want to divide your
Downloads folder into category sub-folders - graphics, office applications,
music etc. In that case, you would choose the category sub-folder before
creating the application's sub-folder.
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You can record even more information about the download, if you
think you may need it. For example, if you need a serial number to install or
activate the program, that could be stored with the download file. Here's how:
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Create an icon for Notepad (or whatever you use for quick
notes) on your desktop. Drag the icon down to the Quick Launch area on your
Taskbar. Delete the desktop icon, if you wish. Now you can launch Notepad
with a single click on the Taskbar.
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Open Notepad. If you are using the Windows XP version, press
F5. This will record the time and date. Then jot down the name of the file
and application. Also record what you expect of it. You may be able to copy
the information from the website where you obtained the file, as I have done
in the example. If you have been emailed a serial number, copy it into the
Notepad files, as well.
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By categorising and documenting your downloads in this manner,
you will know what the file is and whether you need to download a later
version before installing it. Your entry should read something like this:
imf_fw.zip Image - Forge Standard Freeware Edition - No
serial number needed.
ImageForge provides you with a set of powerful tools for painting and
editing images, photos or other graphics. Create and edit images, acquire
pictures from your scanner, digital camera or other Twain-compliant device,
apply special effect filters, produce your own photo albums and simple slide
shows, and much more.
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