GETTING ONLINE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Appendix. Downloading and Installing the Software Programs Mentioned in this Resource

Throughout this resource, there are discussions of and references to software programs necessary to use some Internet options. If you are using a graphics-based browser (e.g. Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer), the process of downloading (copying a file from a remote computer to your own) and installing these programs is usually very simple.

Most software programs available for download on the Internet are now available in self-extracting archive format. This means that all the files associated with a program are compressed (crunched to save disk space and transfer time) and saved within a single file (archive), with a file extension of .exe. You will need no further software programs in order to extract and install a program in this format. When you run the file on your computer, the files within the archive will extract themselves onto your computer’s hard disk automatically.

Once you have located the link on a Web page to the software program you wish to download (which usually contains the name of the program, version number and operating system (Figure 28), simply click on that link.

Figure 28: A World Wide Web link to download PGP version 5.5 for Windows ’95 and NT

A window will open in your browser asking you some basic information about saving a copy of the program (file name and directory location) locally on your computer (Figure 29). Make a note of where the program will be saved and press the OK button in that window. The program file will proceed to be copied (downloaded) onto your computer (Figure 30).

Figure 29: The file "Save As" option in Windows '95/98

The time required for downloading specific files will vary depending on the size of that file, your connection speed, and the volume of traffic on the Internet at that time.

Figure 30: Windows '95/98 file download status window

When the download is complete, locate the downloaded file with one of your computer’s file management programs (for example, File Manager in Windows 3.x or Windows Explorer or the My Computer desktop icon in Windows ‘95/98 and Windows NT) and double click on the file name (Figure 31).

Figure 31: Locating a newly downloaded program file with Windows Explorer

The file will extract its contents and automatically run its installation routine on your computer (Figure 32).

Figure 32: Introductory installation screen for PGP

Simply follow the instructions and answer any questions you may be asked during installation. Once installation is complete, you may need to restart your computer in order for the program’s configuration to take affect (the installation program will notify you). You are now ready to start using the new program.