To 'download' means to transfer something from a remote computer to a local
computer.
A 'local computer' is another way of saying your computer. A 'remote
computer' is every other computer connected to the same network that your
computer is connected to. The Internet is actually a vast network of
computers. Every time you get on the Internet, you are a local computer on
that network.
You downloaded the file viewer from a remote computer - in this case, the
computer belonged to Microsoft. So, when you downloaded the file viewer, you
transferred a copy of the file viewer from a remote computer belonging to
Microsoft to your local computer.
You see, once you get past the jargon, the concept is easy to understand.
What you downloaded is not the file viewer itself, but the installer for the
file viewer. An installer is software that installs something on your
computer. Think of it like this: You can buy new brake pads for your car,
but they won't do you any good just sitting there in the box. The installer
is like the mechanic who installs the brake pads.
Sometimes I think computer-ese qualifies as a separate language. Especially
when you read press releases from Microsoft. But I digress.
To summon this mechanic, you double-click on the installer. That starts the
installation process. Once the file viewer is installed on your computer,
you can start to use it.
Two tips:
1. When you download an installer, remember where it landed. In order to
double-click on the file, you have to know where on your computer to find
it.
2. During your long and illustrious computer career you will download piles
of installers, for such things as software upgrades and drivers. Keep all
your installers in one folder, so you'll always know where to find them. For
example, I keep all my installers in a separate folder under My Documents.
This also makes it easier to back up the installers.
