How to download items

Most browsers will automatically recognize a .zip file as something to be saved.  When you left-click on a link to a .zip file, a window will open that asks you where you would like to save the file on your computer.

Another way to download is to right-click on the item that you want, choose "SAVE AS," and specify where you wish to save it to your hard drive.

Decompressing a .zip File

A .zip file is a compressed file format which allows larger files to be squeezed into a much smaller amount of space, taking up less memory and download time.

After you've downloaded a .zip file, you'll need to "unzip" it in order to use it. You probably already have an application which will help you do this. The most common compression utilities for Windows users are WinZip and PKZip, but there are a number of others available. If you don't have one, download a compression application from a shareware site such as Shareware.Com. 

Open the .zip file in PKZip (or WinZip, or whatever else you're using) and click EXTRACT, which will usually appear either as an icon or in a pull-down menu at the top of the screen. Then choose where you want the file(s) to be saved and click EXTRACT in the Extract dialog window. In order to use the file(s) you downloaded, all you have to do is open the file(s) in the appropriate application.

Internet surfing guidelines

Q: How do I return to a previous page?

Use the "Back" button at the top of your browser to retrace your steps. It's easier.

Q: What is a URL?

URL stands for Universal Records Locator. In simple terms, it's a constant address that allows any user to access a particular site by its URL. It's what appears in your "Netsite:" or "Location:" box near the top of your browser, and looks something like this: http://www.childmin.com/faqs.html

Q: What do the parts of a URL mean?

HTTP stands for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol. It’s the protocol used for transferring information requests and responses through your browser to the requested server computer which holds the information. Other internet protocols include FTP (file-transfer- protocol) and telnet (used to log in to a remote computer).

The rest of the address tells your computer where on the 'Net to find the site you’re looking for. “WWW” stands for World Wide Web, and is the customary prefix to any URL. The part that comes after www (i.e. nad.adventist.org) is the server name. Everything that follows the server name is the relative address, pertaining to the way in which the information is filed within folders on the server ( this information on the nad.adventist.org server is located in the “children’s ministries” folder, and within that, in the “faqs” folder).

Q: What are links?

Links are highlighted words or images that "link" to another location, page, or site for further or related information.  

Q: How do I know what to click on (what's linked) to find information?

To find items that are linked to other pages or information, look for words that are highlighted in blue or another color and underlined. Also, pass your mouse over images and text. If your mouse shows a pointing hand rather than a pointer, that object is linked. Click on it and your browser will take you to that information.

Q: What are bookmarks?

Bookmarks are electronic tabs that allow you to mark a page or site that you wish to be able to refer back to. Then, when you wish to return to that site's address, all you have to do is click on its bookmark to take you there, rather than remembering the entire URL and typing it in.

Add a bookmark on pages you find useful. Click "Bookmark" (or "Favorites") at the top of your browser (or in a pull-down menu) and select "add." You may want to organize your bookmarks and create folders for common, logical topics.