Downloading files from the Internet used to be more complicated before the advent of the WWW, because you had to learn the command syntax for FTP (File Transfer Protocol).  Now the web servers look after this in the background, so all you have to do is click your mouse, and tell it which directory or drive on your computer into which it should be downloaded. 

You may be asking, "Why would I want to download a file to begin with?"  There are many potential reasons, but the most common are: 

• Updating your web browser to the most recent version.

• Enhancing the functionality of your web browser through the use of what are commonly referred to as plugins., or "helper applications" like Adobe Acrobat.

• Obtaining a copy of a software program to evaluate before you buy it.

Let's move on to a page with some hands-on activities that will help de-mystify the whole idea of downloading files, and give you some useful software for your personal or professional needs!