Files Types

Files, Files, Files

By June Campbell

Computer Edge Magazine of Colorado

If you're new to the Internet, you won't want to miss out on the array of software, music and other goodies that you can download and use on your own computer. Before you get started, you'll need to know a little something about the many file types that you'll encounter.

HTML or HTM Files

HTML filesending with .html or .htmare the files that are used to produce Web pages. For example, you might find an HTML file named bird.html or bird.htm. HTML files contain coding information that can be read by a Web browser. The source coding that comprises an HTML file appears to be a combination of gibberish and the English language. However, if you look at the HTML file in a Web browser, you see the visual components that the coding is calling forcolor, style, fonts and possibly pictures or sound. If you find a Web page that interests you, you can save it to your desktop and then open it in your browser later.

DOC Files

Files ending with .doc are usually created in Microsoft Word. They can contain styling effects, color, special fonts, images, tables, lists and all of the various effects that you can produce in a powerful word processing program. If you download a DOC file, you must have the correct software on your hard disk before you can open it. If you are using MS Word, you will be able to open the file only if your version of Word is the same or newer than the version of Word that was used to create the file. WordPerfect might be able to import the file, but expect some loss of formatting. If you don't have Word or WordPerfect, you can download a free Word Viewer from Microsoft's Web site. This allows you to view the file, but not modify it. DOC files can contain macro viruses -- so always run a virus check before opening one that you have downloaded.

PDF Files (Portable Document Format)

PDF, developed by Adobe Systems Inc., is a format for developing and publishing electronic documents. PDF files are cross-platformyou can open and read them in whatever computer you are using. What's more, PDF files can contain powerful formatting features including text, images, sound, hyperlinks and search capabilities. However, PDF files cannot be opened unless you have installed Acrobat Reader -- available free from Adobe's Web site (SEE MENUs - COMPUTER SOFTWARE). Your version of Acrobat Reader must be updated from time to time to allow you to access the newer PDF files that are made available on the Net. You can read (i.e. view) a PDF file, but you cannot modify it.

EXE Files (Executable)

Files ending in .exe are "executable"meaning they are stand-alone software programs that will run on Windows systems without any special software, readers or plug-ins. Most of the software that is free or for sale on the Net comes as an EXE file. If Windows users inspect the files on their hard disk, they will discover that almost every folder containing a software application has a file that ends in .exe. This is the software's "motor," if you will. Once downloaded, many EXE files must be installed on your computer before they will run.

There are a couple of things to keep in mind about EXE files. First, they can contain viruses. Always perform a virus scan before running a new EXE file. Secondly, EXE files do not work on a Mac. They are Windows applications, and they may be specifically programmed to work on one Windows operating system, but not on another. Remember to check the system requirements before downloading to be sure that your new EXE file is compatible with your system.

ZIP Files

Zip files, ending with the three-letter extension of .zip, are files that have been compressed to save space. Many files available on the Net are largeand the download time will be long. To save time and space, file publishers often use a special compression program that reduces the number of bytes and thereby speeds up download time. To open a ZIP file, you must have a special software application installed on your computer. WinZip is among the best-known applications for this purpose. WinZip will decompress the file or files that are contained in the ZIP file, allowing you to open them in the usual way.

GIFs and JPEGs (or JPGs)

Files ending in .gif, .jpeg, or .jpg are image files (pictures or drawings) that have been compressed into a format that is suitable for display on the Internet. GIF images are capable of displaying only 256 colors, which means they're not photo-realistic. As such, they're generally used for logos and other graphic art effects. JPEGs, on the other hand, are capable of photo-realistic color and are therefore the format of choice for online photographs.

GIFs or JPEGs are cross-platform filesmeaning you can view them on any computer. If you are viewing these files from a Web page, your browser reads them for you. However, if someone sends you a GIF or a JPEG as an e-mail attachment, you will need a graphic software application installed on your computer before you can open it.

TXT (Text files)

Text files (sometimes called ASCII) end in the three-letter extension of .txt. Text files are basic, plain files that contain no special formatting. Therefore, expect no color, no fancy fonts, no bullets, no pictures, or no tables. On the other hand, text files are small, cross-platform, and can be read by any computer and any operating system. If someone sends you a file ending in .txt, you can open it in NotePad, WordPad, SimpleText, or any word processor. ASCII or plain text files CANNOT contain viruses.

RTF (Rich Text Formatting) Files

RTF files are sophisticated versions of text files. RTF files may contain fonts, color and added effects, but they do not contain the more sophisticated style effects that you can get with a word processor. RTF files can be opened in WordPad and in more recent versions of word processing programs. They are more attractive than text files, but less flexible than a file created in a word processor. RTF files or plain text files CANNOT contain viruses.





		Files, Files, Files By June Campbell Computer Edge Magazine of Colorado If you're new to the Internet, you won't want to miss out on the array of software, music and other goodies that you can download and use on your own computer. Before you get started, you'll need to know a little something about the many file types that you'll encounter. HTML or HTM Files HTML filesending with .html or .htmare the files that are used to produce Web pages. For example, you might find an HTML file named bird.html or bird.htm. HTML files contain coding information that can be read by a Web browser. The source coding that comprises an HTML file appears to be a combination of gibberish and the English language. However, if you look at the HTML file in a Web browser, you see the visual components that the coding is calling forcolor, style, fonts and possibly pictures or sound. If you find a Web page that interests you, you can save it to your desktop and then open it in your browser later. DOC Files Files ending with .doc are usually created in Microsoft Word. They can contain styling effects, color, special fonts, images, tables, lists and all of the various effects that you can produce in a powerful word processing program. If you download a DOC file, you must have the correct software on your hard disk before you can open it. If you are using MS Word, you will be able to open the file only if your version of Word is the same or newer than the version of Word that was used to create the file. WordPerfect might be able to import the file, but expect some loss of formatting. If you don't have Word or WordPerfect, you can download a free Word Viewer from Microsoft's Web site. This allows you to view the file, but not modify it. DOC files can contain macro viruses -- so always run a virus check before opening one that you have downloaded. PDF Files (Portable Document Format) PDF, developed by Adobe Systems Inc., is a format for developing and publishing electronic documents. PDF files are cross-platformyou can open and read them in whatever computer you are using. What's more, PDF files can contain powerful formatting features including text, images, sound, hyperlinks and search capabilities. However, PDF files cannot be opened unless you have installed Acrobat Reader -- available free from Adobe's Web site (SEE MENUs - COMPUTER SOFTWARE). Your version of Acrobat Reader must be updated from time to time to allow you to access the newer PDF files that are made available on the Net. You can read (i.e. view) a PDF file, but you cannot modify it. EXE Files (Executable) Files ending in .exe are "executable"meaning they are stand-alone software programs that will run on Windows systems without any special software, readers or plug-ins. Most of the software that is free or for sale on the Net comes as an EXE file. If Windows users inspect the files on their hard disk, they will discover that almost every folder containing a software application has a file that ends in .exe. This is the software's "motor," if you will. Once downloaded, many EXE files must be installed on your computer before they will run. There are a couple of things to keep in mind about EXE files. First, they can contain viruses. Always perform a virus scan before running a new EXE file. Secondly, EXE files do not work on a Mac. They are Windows applications, and they may be specifically programmed to work on one Windows operating system, but not on another. Remember to check the system requirements before downloading to be sure that your new EXE file is compatible with your system. ZIP Files Zip files, ending with the three-letter extension of .zip, are files that have been compressed to save space. Many files available on the Net are largeand the download time will be long. To save time and space, file publishers often use a special compression program that reduces the number of bytes and thereby speeds up download time. To open a ZIP file, you must have a special software application installed on your computer. WinZip is among the best-known applications for this purpose. WinZip will decompress the file or files that are contained in the ZIP file, allowing you to open them in the usual way. GIFs and JPEGs (or JPGs) Files ending in .gif, .jpeg, or .jpg are image files (pictures or drawings) that have been compressed into a format that is suitable for display on the Internet. GIF images are capable of displaying only 256 colors, which means they're not photo-realistic. As such, they're generally used for logos and other graphic art effects. JPEGs, on the other hand, are capable of photo-realistic color and are therefore the format of choice for online photographs. GIFs or JPEGs are cross-platform filesmeaning you can view them on any computer. If you are viewing these files from a Web page, your browser reads them for you. However, if someone sends you a GIF or a JPEG as an e-mail attachment, you will need a graphic software application installed on your computer before you can open it. TXT (Text files) Text files (sometimes called ASCII) end in the three-letter extension of .txt. Text files are basic, plain files that contain no special formatting. Therefore, expect no color, no fancy fonts, no bullets, no pictures, or no tables. On the other hand, text files are small, cross-platform, and can be read by any computer and any operating system. If someone sends you a file ending in .txt, you can open it in NotePad, WordPad, SimpleText, or any word processor. ASCII or plain text files CANNOT contain viruses. RTF (Rich Text Formatting) Files RTF files are sophisticated versions of text files. RTF files may contain fonts, color and added effects, but they do not contain the more sophisticated style effects that you can get with a word processor. RTF files can be opened in WordPad and in more recent versions of word processing programs. They are more attractive than text files, but less flexible than a file created in a word processor. RTF files or plain text files CANNOT contain viruses.