paultap said:
please excuse very elementary question but when I download programs
from web all I get is a collction of files and folders on the c drive.
How on earth do you make
them operative.
That's OK - better for you to ask! In order to use a program in Windows,
you need to install the program. The installation media can be on a
cd-rom that you buy at the store or it can be a file that you download
to your computer from the Internet. When you download, it is a good
idea to download to either a specific folder you made (like "My
Downloads") or onto your Desktop so you can 1) find the file you
downloaded; 2) back up the file onto removable media later if so
desired.
A good habit is to read any instructions about installation on the
website where you got the file you downloaded. However, a general rule
is that you will be looking for a file called "setup.exe" or something
similar. In order to see the ".exe" part of the filename, go to the
Control Panel applet Folder Options>View tab and uncheck the box next
to "hide file extensions". It is a good idea to do this anyway because
you should know what sort of file on which you are clicking!
I hope that helped. You might consider having a knowledgeable friend
(*really* knowledgeable, not just one who thinks they are) come and
help or pay a computer professional to give you some lessons. Books
like the "For Dummies" series are quite good (in spite of the
unfortunate title).
Malke
