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ON Wed, Mar 10, 2010
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08467 since Sep 7, 2004
ON Wed, Mar 10, 2010 | 00032 since Feb 6, 2010 |
Recent Visits: 00010 since Mar 1, 2010 |
Since 5 Apr 01 |
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ON Wed, Mar 10, 2010
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08467 since Sep 7, 2004
ON Wed, Mar 10, 2010 | 00032 since Feb 6, 2010 |
Recent Visits: 00010 since Mar 1, 2010 |
Since 5 Apr 01 |
Information About Internet Files, |
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Basic File Information (and Information needed for sharing files!)
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Types of files - On these web sites there may be two/three/four versions of files to be accessed. Browser Version | Adobe Acrobat Version | Text File Version | Document File Version
Special Issues - There are special issues in sharing files and in email messages |
| Note: These descriptions are pointed at the "AMCA Directory Files" but they will be used in other areas as needs/opportunities arise. Much of this info should be (or become) "common knowledge" among email and internet users. |
NOTE:
If you don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader, it is a free download from many places on the web and is available for both PC and Mac users. Make sure you use the version recommended for your operating system.*PowerMacs may use Version 4 but non PowerMacs must use Version 3.
*Windows 95/98 may use Version 4 but Windows 3.1 must use Version 3, etc.
If you are using Window 3.1, it is probably time to upgrade!!1- Download directly from Adobe - Adobe Acrobat Reader at Adobe
You will have to go to the alternate source for Version 3.2- Download from CNET Download - Download.com and search for "Acrobat"
Read the system requirements if unsure!
3- Mac users can find most necessary software at: Pure Mac - Search for "Acrobat"
4- Windows/PC users can find much software at: Tucows - Search for "Acrobat"
A text file can be a tab/return file that can work wonderfully when copied to a word processor of your choice or data base of your choice. Click for how to use a text file in a word processor. (Note: Clicking will open a "New Browser Window" - just close that window when you are finished reading/printing!)
See: Text Only
NOTE:You may have to purchase something: It is too bad that many computer users (PC/Windows or Mac) either do not have the skills, or the interest, to make such "cross-platform" exchanges happen. They use the program applications that came with their computer and will not upgrade anything thinking that the world should come to them or that there will be no advancements. Your basic applications on the computer that you purchase may work beautifully for printing to your own printer. That is a very simple task. The problems come when you try to extend your computer work to another computer (that is what you do when you attach files). You either have to know the other computer or send things in a standard way.
Standards: The most common "sharing" applications are the basic Microsoft Office applications (Micosoft Word, Microsoft Power Point, and Microsoft Excel) since so many people have them - not because they are the "best" applications. (The best personal application FOR YOU is the one(s) that you know how to use but it may not be the best application FOR SOMEONE ELSE.) AppleWorks is a wonderfully small application that can also be used for word processing but PC users generally will not put anything on their computer that says "Apple". It's seems obvious that a Mac user should not send and Appleworks file to a PC user.
I am encouraging anyone that wishes to exchange files (download from a web site or attach to an email message) to use to Microsoft Word, Microsoft Power Point, or Microsoft Excel for exchanging files with other computer users. Those of you that use some other type of word processor, should consider a purchase of Microsoft Word for easier transfer also. Please upgrade to a current version also!Special Sharing: If you plan to share files with another person, you probably need to talk this common "sharing" application problem over with them. If many persons (PC and Mac) are involved, you should consider purchasing and using Microsoft Word for word processing. If it is just two friends, they can use any application as long as both have the application. Same application files transfer quite easily, Different application files cause many problem. That's why we use the Browser Files and also the Adobe Acrobat Files - because we are sharing computer files and they are the best Cross Platform / Cross Computer solutions available for multiple users! If you send files to me, I can handle many different formats but I may have to "interpret" some things.
Rules of Thumb:
1- Remember: If basic information (text with no graphics or images) is all that is being sent, sending an attached file may be "overkill". Just Copy your information from your word processor application, Open your email application / new message, and Paste the "copied" information into the body of the message. (Hopefully you are not using all kinds of "special characters" and hopefully you are not using HTML (Fancy) Emails since this HTML system looks pretty on your own computer but it is awful in the excess amount of code that it sends.) Text is the fastest and most accurate way of getting information to the receiver. There will be no formatting - centering of text, bold face, etc. - but the information will be sent and that is all that is needed much of the time.)2- If you must attach a document, Remember to use a Word Processor/Application that is available to the person that receives your attachment. (PLEASE! - Appleworks is generally not on a PC computer - Word Perfect is not available for a Mac user - Microsoft Publisher is not available to a Mac user and furthermore, it does not translate AT ALL - many specialized printing applications are very expensive and not all people have them.) Some try to send RTF (Rich Text Format) documents but these usually have very unpredictible results.
3- Be Courteous: It is a very courteous thing to compress your attached files also to make the transfers as fast as possible for the receiving person. The person that receives your attached document may receive many emails and your uncompressed document (and picture/graphic files) take an excessive amount of time to download. Not a very courteous practice.
See: Attaching Files
See also: Large Files
Cross Platform / Cross Computer file transfers will work as long as some ground rules are established.
NOTE: Just having everyone using the same computer type (i.e. all Window 95/97/98/00/ME/XP based, or all Mac OS 8.1/8.5.1/9.0/X based) does not assure compatitility and the ability to open files sent over the internet. More important are the issues that are constantly in front of every experience computer user.
It is Recommended here to establish standard application program that will be used in "cross-platform" communications
Microsoft Word (a new version and not Version 5.1 or Version 6) is recommended for word processing,
Microsoft Power Point is recommended for Presentations,
Microsoft Excel is recommended for Spreadsheet operations, and
FileMaker Pro is recommended for cross-platform DataBase operations amonge multiple users.
(Remember: Two friends can use any application(s) they want if they both have the same application on their computer(s).)
See Microsoft Office 98/2001/X (Microsoft Word 98/2001/X is available as a stand alone application from any software reseller), Microsoft Office 2000, and FileMaker Pro (Microsoft Access, the standard DataBase in the PC world, is not available for the Macintosh)
Any computer user (Windows or Mac, no difference) that does not send files to another person using one of the above applications, should not expect positive results with the files.
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Attention! Advertised as The Affordable Office Alternative and works both on PC and Mac is an application that is "compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint". If you have not purchased Microsoft Office because of the intimidating price, you might want to consider using Think Free Office. Microsoft may plug the holes later but right now - November 2002 - this is a solid alternative for creating/opening those shared files. It works well on both my PC and Mac and I recommend it highly (for now). (I purchased mine for $39.95 so do some shopping around - yes, you read correctly - $39.95. Even at the list price of $49.95, it is an "everyone should have" application!!!!!) |
The Fonts used in creating the files must be standard fonts for effective "cross-platform" exchanges (or any exchange between computer users). If non-standard fonts are used, this must be indicated and the receiver must acquire the proper font for effective viewing of the received file.
Microsoft has many free fonts available for download that address this problem (this is not a problem if one becomes aware of the computer process). If they are not already, these fonts should all be on your computer (Mac or PC).
The best font for viewing on the Mac is "Geneva" and has no equivalent on the PC. "Arial" comes closest to being a decent viewing font on the PC. "arial", the default font for most Microsoft apps, is very suspect and should probably not be used for viewing on a Mac.
Establish a list of acceptible fonts to be used in electronic communications when sending files.
Please see related documents:
Attached Files.
Prevent File Transfer Pandemonium
See also: Large Files
When sending a Picture (.jpg, .jpeg, .gif, .bmp, .pict) or a Document File to someone, it is courteous and safer to compress the picture or file before sending it. The common practice in the window/pc world is to compress using .zip technics and in the macintosh world to use .sit technics (Unix people have other technics).
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You will need an unzipping application or Stuffit Expander to use document files on this site. The BEST is: Expander for Windows - _OR_ - Expander for Mac
Others can be found at:
Tucows for Windows -
Tucows for Mac |
Much Macintosh software can be obtained at:Compression is courteous because the file takes much less time to transmit on both the sender's and receiver's computers. Your email may be only one of many that the receiver accesses when checking mail and my email application has many times been "hung up" by receiving unnecessarily large attached files and pictures that have not been compressed. Please be courteous and don't "hang up" a friend's computer.
Pure Mac
PC and Mac software can be obtained at:
Download.com
Tucows
Compression is safer because the file or picture is reduced to one stream of information and not several resource forks that can get sent different directions from the many computers through which the file or picture must pass before arriving at it's destination. Compression when coupled with Encoding assures the best possible transmission of your picture or file. If you do not compress, please be ready for the reply from your friend that the Picture/File was unreadable.
Compression/EncodingIf you send an attached document, also include the information about what application you used to create the document. If the receiver does not have that application, it is very chancy that they will be able to open your document.
Attaching Files
File Enclosures
Cross-PlatformSee also: Large Files
Just a word about graphics files (U probably already know this):
The two standard file formats that should be used on the web and when sending pictures or images as attachments to another person are files that carry the suffix .jpeg (or .jpg) and .gif. (I will not even attempt to expand the definition here. If you really want to know the details about these, there are many places on the web to find that out.)
.jpg file format is generally used for photographs
.gif file format is generally used for other less defined graphics
(A .gif file is generally smaller than a .jpg file.)
(These files are usable by both Macintosh and Windows users and one does not need to "worry about" "cross-platform" issues. Everyone should have applications on his/her computer that can be used to view these files. If nothing else works, just open them with your browser - Netscape or Internet Explorer.)
Many/most word processors (applications that are used to create documents for printing) can import these (.jpg & .gif) images but generally .bmp or .pict files are preferred.
.bmp file format is used in the Windows world
.pict file format is used in the Macintosh world
(These file types must be converted to use on a web page.)
(A .pict file sent to a Windows user will generally cause problems. A .bmp file sent to a Macintosh user may also cause problems. Recommend to send files in .jpg or .gif formats!)
(There are many applications available for converting graphics/image/photo formats available for both Windows and Macintosh users.)
If you are "in search of" applications to assist you in converting file formats, look at the many shareware and freeware applications available on the web sites:
http://www.tucows.com - Software for PC/Window and Mac
http://www.download.com - Software for PC/Window and Mac
http://www.pure-mac.com - THE BEST place for Mac software
See also: Large Files
(Reference added 7 August 2002 - Email Nomime / No HTML..... Some reasons for and some extensive/specific help for adjusting your email application.)Recently (27 Oct 2000) I have receive several emails that use HTML formatting from individuals. I receive these all the time as commercial messages (and delete them right away).
"Newbies" to email may have been tricked into using this technic (it is the default setting in Outlook Express, etc.) or may not be aware that these email messages cause problems for many of their email recipients.
There was an excellent article (out of Baltimore) that appeared in our fine St. Paul Pioneer Press that I wish each of you would read. This "fancy" type of email message is fascinating for a while but email was never intended to be fancy - but informative. Email is information. (I played around with this stuff with AOL years ago and my Eudora email app has always had this possibility - but I never/rarely use it.)
Those Fancy Email Messages (same as the one below)
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I recently have sent emails to several people on this topic. I shall place a compliation of some of my ideas/suggestions here.
I have "saved" many documents for people that have tried to open a word processor document with the wrong application - most people consider the results to be trash. I have "saved" many a document for people in these situations but try to teach them to open it with the correct application for best results and to learn the process.
Never format and send formatted email messages unless you are sure the that the intended receiver uses exactly the same email application that you use and has exactly the same fonts on his/her computer. Your receiver may just "trash" your message since it may be so garbled for them.
Please read this article: Fancy Email Messages Respectfully, David Thomas, Web Manager
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SPAM is gradually plugging up the system, causing great expenses to increase the size of the servers necessary to handle all the unnecessary commericial and spamming email, discouraging potential good users of email since (like the "telemarketing" telephone abusers) it has become invasive our our personal space.
Spamming is one of the serious problems in the email world today.
Much Spamming is supported by well-intentioned people that just have not gained the awareness of and savy of good email use.
One of the most prevalent abuses of PRIVATE INFORMATION is the practice of forwarding (many times useless or just cute) things to one's WHOLE ADDRESSBOOK. (See Those Awful Email Forwards) (See BCC)
Some contributing (but innocent) contributions to SPAM
Sending large "group email messages" with all your friends email addresses in the TO: section (See BCC) A Spammer is just down the road a way looking for lists like this.
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Phishing – a growing Internet scam technique that tricks a user, per an e-mail notice, to visit a seemingly legitimate website and input personal information. Information is then used for fraudulent purposes, such as identity theft. Have you started to receive emails from various reputable institutions, asking you to visit a website that requests personal information, even if you don't have an account or services with that institution that supposedly sent the e-mail? Familiar companies like Citibank, USBank, PayPal, Ebay or even CoreComm. If so, then you've met the Internet's latest threat, called "phishing." The following tips can help you identify and avoid phishing scams:
If you feel you have been targeted by a phishing scam, you should:
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Blind Courtesy Copy (BCC) - Sending to Multiple Addresses
1-Send the message to yourself (To: yourname@yourcompany.com) and
2-Send a blind courtesy copy (BCC: recipientsname@theircompany.com) to all other recipients of your email message.
FORWARD (Very Important): Please make sure you especially use the BCC: when sending those HORRIBLE FORWARDS of messages that you receive and that you decide to send on to everyone on your list (just because your were told to do so - like a puppet).
As always, though, it is best to use a little "judgement and taste" in QUOTING a previous message.
Quoting the whole message may not serve any useful purpose and may just clutter up your message.
I many times will EDIT the QUOTED material by selecting some of the text and hittting the DELETE key to get rid of unnecessary QUOTED material (like long headers, long footers and "signatures".)
An email tip (from Mac Home - Recommended that Mac users sign up for their "HotTip's" Newsletter).Highlight only the portion of a Email you need to quote.
Click reply.
You get an Email which quotes only THAT text, and not the whole Email.This is faster than hitting reply, then deleting unwanted portions by hand. I'm not sure if this works on all email programs. You all know my mantra - "go try it, and then try again just to be sure". As an aside you should all get in the habit of only forwarding or returning a short snippet of email - it reduces the load on the entire system.
--- * I mentioned last week that you could return or forward email with only selected portions of copy by highlighting. A reader sent these instructions using Eudora:
The secret to doing this in Eudora is to include the shift key; i.e., shift + choose reply (changes the menu item to "reply quoting selection" vize "reply") or shift + cmd R.
--- * A few issues back I mentioned that you could select the portions of email you wanted to return or forward by just hightlighting the section you wanted returned to sender.
Apparently this is how to do that using Eudora. This from a reader: the secret to doing this in Eudora is to include the shift key; i.e., shift + choose reply (changes the menu item to "reply quoting selection" vice "reply") or shift + cmd R. I don't use Eudora so don't ask me. As I always say, try it, experiment and have fun.