• Download Types on this Site
  • Web Installations
  • Single File Downloads
  • Streaming Media and/or Embedded Media
• How to Download
  • Internet Explorer and Internet Explorer based Browsers
  • Netscape and Netscape based Browsers
• Connection Speeds
  • Download Calculator
• Web Installations
  • Pros and Cons - Web installations are generally the fastest and most efficient means of installing software on your computer. The only real drawback is that the process requires that you remain connected to the Internet until it has completed. If you connect via LAN this is probably not a problem, however if you have a dialup connection the process gets a bit dicey if Windows decides to reboot your computer in the middle of the installation. In this case you should reconnect to the Internet before pressing the Next button when the installer restarts.
  • How does it work? - A web installation links to a small Stub executable file that is downloaded to your computer together with a Cabinet file that tell the Stub what to do. The stub then proceeds to examine your system and downloads only the files needed. Some of the more complex installations might include additional Stubs that check for specific technologies. For example if you download a product that requires DirectX, the main Stub will install a DirectX stub. The total size of these two files and their cabinet files will be considerably less than the contents of a floppy disk. However if all the runtime files and DirectX files were downloaded it would require about 14 floppy disks to hold the data.
• Single File Downloads
  • Pros and Cons - Small installations are typically packaged as a single file. We have also packaged some of the larger installations as single files for users who for one reason or another, cannot use the web installations. The advantage of a single file installation is that you have the entire installation application on your local system. The disadvantage is that it takes a long time to download and probably includes a lot of files that won't be needed.
  • How does it work? - A single file download copies the entire setup program to your hard drive. You must then run the installation and delete the setup file when you're finished.
• Streaming Media
  • Streaming media is managed by your default media player. Embedded media uses the Microsoft Windows Media Player.
• How To Download - The main difference as far as downloading is concerned between the two major browsers is Run this program from its current location option available in Internet Explorer. When you run a setup program from its current location the file (either the stub as explained above or the entire file) is downloaded to the Temp folder on your hard drive and automatically started once the download is complete. It is exactly the same process as selecting a location, downloading the file and then running it from the location you chose. If your browser is not based upon IE or Netscape technologies we can offer you no additional help.
  • Internet Explorer

1. Click on the Download Link (Usually underlined) and you will see a window something like this:

If you are downloading a web installation, select "Run this program from its current location". Otherwise select "Save this program to disk" and browse to a location on your system where you would like to store the installation. Obviously you need to remember where you stored the file if you elect to save it.

During the download IE will display the download progress, the target location and connection speed.

If you saved the file instead of running it you must execute the downloaded file to run the installation. Once executed the installation file can be deleted from your system.

 

• Netscape When you click on a download link you are prompted with a Save As... browse window. Select a location that you can find later and save the setup file to disk.

 

During the download Netscape will display the download progress, the target location and connection speed.

After downloading you must execute the downloaded file to run the installation. For some reason Netscape occasionally renames the download, removing the file extension. Windows won't know what to do with an executable file if it doesn't have the EXE file extension. Once executed the installation file can be deleted from your system.

• Connection Speeds - Your connection speed to the Internet will vary depending upon the quality of you line, your modem or network device, Internet traffic and how you happen to be routed.