On the webpages associated with this casebook, there are downloadable template files. These instructions provide basic guidelines for downloading these files. These instructions assume a Windows 95 or higher operating environment.
Due to the ever-increasing number of computer viruses, most internet browsers have some level of security warnings concerning files with executable code. Typically, these are files with the *.exe extension, also referred to as program files. However, files such as Word documents and Excel spreadsheets can contain macros, which are a type of executable code. Viruses can be embedded in these documents, and the unwary user could download one of them and infect his or her computer.
While the authors have taken great strides to ensure that the downloadable files on this web site are safe, you may get a warning message, depending on the browser and the options that have been selected on your particular machine. If you are in doubt about a file, download it first, then scan it using an updated virus protection program. Once it has proven safe, then open it.
This process will vary slightly depending on your internet service provider, the type of file you are downloading, the browser program you are using, and the options set on the particular machine you are using. These instructions are not specific to any one web browser. They will give the basics of downloading, and the common messages you may see during the process. See the instructions and the help documentation for the program on your computer for specific questions.
Before downloading any file, make a quick note of the file’s name. You will want this information if you are unable to locate the file on your hard drive.
To initiate the download, you merely need to click on the appropriate hyperlink. If there is more than one link available for the file you want, the webpage will most likely contain instructions for choosing the appropriate link. Once you have initiated the download, one of three things should happen:
Some files may download and/or open without you doing any more than clicking on the hyperlink. Be cautious of files that do this, especially if they are from a source that you know nothing about. If the file is downloaded, nine times out of ten it will be downloaded into the location set up on your machine as the default download location. Check your browser’s options to see where this location is. This information is commonly under the "Options" or "Preferences" listing, typically located on the "Tools" menu. Depending on the software, it may well be in a different location. Check the various menus to try and find one of the above items. If you are unable to locate the file this way, do a file search (instructions are below) using the file name that you jotted down . The results should display where your file is located on your hard drive.
If the file is opened, it will typically spawn an external viewer. This means that the browser software recognizes the file type, prompts the computer to run the appropriate application, and opens the file within that application. In practical terms, if you are downloading a Word document, the computer would open the Word program on your computer, and the file would be displayed within that program.
Occasionally, the browser may open another window of its program, and display the document there. If this happens, choose "Save As" from the "File" menu, save the file, then close that window. Open the appropriate application, and re-open the file from within the proper program (in this case Word).
The normal response after clicking on the hyperlink is the opening of some sort of download dialog box. Again, this varies with the browser, the options, etc. The two most common options are to Open the file, or Save the file to disk. See the program’s help documentation for information on any other options presented.
Open. It is highly recommended that you do not open files, unless you are certain of the source. If you select this option, you may get a status bar indicating the progress of the download. Once the download is complete, an external viewer should be opened. The file can then be saved, modified, etc. from within this program.
As with automatic downloads, the file occasionally will be opened within the web browser itself. Follow the instructions under the Automatic Downloads section for saving the file and re-opening it using the correct program.
Save. The best option is to save the file to disk, either a floppy disk or the computer’s hard drive. When this option is selected, the familiar "Save" dialog box is opened. You can then select exactly where you want the file saved. (Make a note of the location, just in case.) Once you click on the "Save" button, a status bar will appear, indicating the progress of the download. Once the process is complete, the status bar will disappear, and you may receive some further notice that the download is complete. Now you can scan the file for viruses and then open it.
After the file has been successfully downloaded and saved on your hard drive, you will need to locate the file and open it. Hopefully, you selected the location where the computer was to save the file. If not, you will need to find it.
If you know where the file is located, first launch the appropriate application. (Word for *.doc files, Excel for *.xls files, etc.) Then select the "Open" command which will bring up the Open dialog box. Select the appropriate subdirectory, then highlight the file. Click on "Open" to complete the process.
To locate a file on your hard drive, click on "Start" on the Windows taskbar and then on "Find." From the submenu, select "Find files or folders." There are three tabs with different options to customize your search. The "Name & Location" tab allows you to search using the name of the file, and the possible location. You can search your entire hard drive, or a specific subdirectory. Click on "Browse" to select a specific subdirectory or folder to search.
The "Date Modified" tab looks at the date the file was last modified. Note that this is not always the same as the date the file was downloaded to your computer.
The "Advanced" tab contains options for the type of file (*.doc, *.xls, *.txt) and any text contained within the file.
You can use as many or as few of the search options as you need to locate the file. Once the desired criteria have been set, click on "Find Now" to run the search. The files that fit the criteria will appear in a window at the bottom of the Search dialog box. Use the scroll bars to look through the listed files. When you find the file you are looking for, double click on the appropriate icon to open it.