Downloading Software: An FAQ for Beginners

As high-speed Internet connections become more commonplace, software companies are forgoing traditional boxed packages and instead offering their products for download over the Web. Though free programs and trial versions of commercial applications have long been available online, many software vendors are now selling full versions of their programs as downloads.

Downloading software is often a more convenient option than purchasing packaged software, but it's also a more environmentally friendly approach that cuts down on the amount of cardboard boxes, CDs, and plastic wrap that eventually end up in landfills.

If you're new to downloading software, you may have a few questions surrounding this unfamiliar process. So before you fire up your browser and get down to business, acquaint yourself with some of the basic concepts surrounding downloading software.

1. Is there anything I should know before I begin downloading a program?

Before you begin the process of downloading a piece of software, you must first check to see whether your computer meets the minimum system requirements in order to ensure that it is capable of running the program.

The vast majority of software vendors disclose a program's minimum system requirements somewhere on their Web site, oftentimes on the same page as the link to the download. If you do not see system requirements located on the same page as the download link, you may want to search the vendor's site or use the site map to find this information.

When evaluating whether your computer can run the software you wish to download, first check to see that your operating system version (OS) is compatible with the program. You should also ensure that your computer has enough RAM and a fast enough processor to run the program. To find details about computers running a Windows 98 or later OS, right-click on the My Computer icon on your Desktop, then select Properties. The pop-up window that appears should list your OS version, processor type, and amount of RAM installed on your computer under the tab called General.

Another factor to consider is whether your computer's hard drive has enough free storage space, not only to temporarily hold the download file but also to permanently store the program itself and any of its associated files. To check free hard-drive space on a computer running a Windows 98 or later OS, right-click on the drive on which you plan to download the file, then choose Properties. The pop-up window that appears will list the amount of free hard-drive space as well as display this information in a graph.

2. The download page offers several file-type options. Which installation package should I choose?

Like most other types of computer files, software installation packages have an extension — letters following the period at the end of a filename — that designates what type of file the package is. If you've purchased a piece of software as a download from a commercial vendor, the manufacturer will likely point you to the file type that's compatible with your computer's OS. On the other hand, if you're obtaining software from a free or unofficial download directory, you may be confronted with a variety of file types and given very little assistance.

To help you quickly decide which type of file will run on your computer's OS, you may find it helpful to familiarize yourself with the most common types of software installation files associated with the various platforms. Note that the cross-platform file types listed below use data compression — a technology that reduces a file's size — and can only be opened using special programs such as 7-Zip, Stuffit Expander (both of which are free), or WinZip ($30 per license).

• Windows. Software installer downloads for Windows are often packaged as EXE or MSI files, both of which can natively be opened and installed by the Windows OS.
• Mac. Software installer downloads for Mac OS are most often packaged as DMG files, which can natively be opened and installed by the Mac OS. Additionally, Mac installers may come packaged as APP or PKG files; the latter is a compressed format that can only be opened by the Mac OS.
• Linux. Software installer downloads for Linux OSs vary according to the distribution. For example, while the Red Hat distribution often uses RPM files, the Ubuntu and Debian distributions commonly use DEB files. Note that many Linux-based programs often come packaged in one of the compressed file formats mentioned below.
• Cross-platform (compressed files). Many popular compressed file formats can be opened on multiple OSs, although they may be more prevalent on some platforms than others. For instance though, ZIP, GZ, TGZ, and TAR files are compatible with Windows, Mac, and, Linux OSs, ZIP files are by far the most common compressed format for Windows OSs. Other formats, including RAR and SIT, can only be opened on Windows or Mac OSs.

For more in-depth information about both common and lesser-known file formats, visit FileInfo.net.

3. The download file is huge. Is there anything I can do to ensure that the transfer goes smoothly?

While very simple applications may come in small installation packages that are only a few MB in size, more complex, feature-packed programs may come bundled in download files that are hundreds of megabytes in size. So if your organization's Internet connection has a limited amount of bandwidth, downloading a large file could take many hours or even fail altogether due to too much traffic.

One potential solution for receiving files over slower Web connections is to download programs at times when Internet traffic is low. For example, you might commence the download before you leave the office in the evening and let the file transfer overnight. You also might find it useful to install a special program called a download manager (see below) to accelerate download speeds or schedule downloads over the weekend when staff members won't be using the Internet.

4. What is a download manager, and do I need one?

Though downloading can be a convenient way to obtain software, it does present a few unique issues that could potentially create problems. As mentioned, slow Internet connections can bring download speeds to a crawl or even halt file transfers altogether. Unexpected system crashes can also cause downloads to fail, which can be a particularly big problem if the software vendor only gives you one chance to complete the download. If reliability is a concern, you may want to investigate and test out applications known as download managers.

While you only need a Web browser in order to download software over the Internet, download managers typically include features that help optimize the process. For instance, since download managers save portions of the file during the transfer, in the case of a system crash, you could simply resume the download from where it was terminated and save yourself the time of starting over. And because most download managers can split files into multiple pieces and download each section separately, they can often help to accelerate transfers, most noticeably with large files.

Download managers may also include a feature that lets you schedule downloads when you're away from the computer, as well as organizational tools that let you keep software downloads separate from media downloads. If you're interesting in testing a download manager, visit Download.com's Download Manager category, which contains both freeware programs and trial versions of commercial applications, many of which have been reviewed by the site's editors.

5. I'm preparing to install the program but I see a lot of text. Should I bother reading it?

After you've successfully downloaded the program, you'll probably be eager to install it on your computer and get back to work. But before you can install a piece of software, you will likely be prompted to agree to an end-user-license agreement (EULA), a document that dictates the software's terms of use. A typical EULA might include information such as who holds the copyright, whether the software can be freely distributed, and what the manufacturer is and is not liable for.

Since most EULAs can be lengthy and filled with legalese, it can be tempting to simply agree with them by checking a box without actually reading the text. However, it's important to take a few minutes to read over the EULA before you install the software, as this will familiarize you with both your responsibilities as well as those of the manufacturers.

Another reason to read a program's EULA is that it may help you avoid inadvertently installing spyware and adware, privacy-compromising programs that may serve ads or collect your personal information. While the vast majority of commercial applications do not contain adware or spyware, many free programs bundle these pests as a means of generating revenue. However, if spyware or adware is bundled with the application you've downloaded, there's a good chance that the EULA may disclose this information, giving you the chance to back out of the installation before you introduce harmful software to your computer.

If you're concerned about adware or spyware but don't have time to read every EULA you come across, you might benefit from Javacool's EULAlyzer, a free application that automatically scans a EULA and highlights words and phrases that could indicate the presence of harmful components.

Now that you've downloaded the software, it's time to install and learn how to use it. Most software installers include a built-in wizard that walks you through the installation process, but if a wizard doesn't appear when you double-click the installer, you will likely want to consult any help files included in the download. Either way, with a successful download experience under your belt, you may decide never to purchase a traditional boxed package again.