Make use of WWW software directories

When you come to look for a software package, some of the large well-organized WWW software directories are a useful starting point (see Selected WWW software directories). They classify each item within a broad category making it possible to browse purposefully, whether or not you can put a name to the software you need. They also offer searching. If you know what you want the software to do then you should be able to search for it. For instance, you could search for a paint program using the search term paint , or an ftp client with the search term ftp . And you would be able to specify the operating system for which it is required.

Familiarize yourself with ftp

Ftp (File Transfer Protocol) is used in downloading files from ftp archives, or uploading files to your own directory on a remote server. Basically, ftp is just an agreed set of commands used between ftp clients and servers. For more information see the entry on ftp.

Archive searching services are useful when you know what you want

While Archie is the pioneering example of archive search services, there are in fact a number of programs which search through Internet file archives, generate an index, and provide a search facility on the index. An example is:

• Lycos Pro Search http://ftpsearch.lycos.com/ ;

There are also some national services providing searching of ftp servers in the one country only, for example

• the German ASK-Sina service http://www.ask.uni-karlsruhe.de/
  asksina2/forms/WWW_Sina.html ;
• NoseyParker http://parker.vslib.cz/parker.html
  Czech search engine.

Use an ftp site near to you

Commonly, ftp sites which are heavily-used or which have a widely dispersed user group will be mirrored. This means that the whole structure and contents of the archive will be duplicated elsewhere. This distributes the load on the server, and makes retrieving files more efficient for users. Regular automated updating ensures that the mirror site is in step with the original collection. (See a directory of mirror collections at Imperial College, London.)

Where there is a choice of sites offering the same software, it's usually a good idea to retrieve from the nearest site. It's faster for you and good for the network environment. For instance, if you are in Europe, give preference to a European site over an American one.

Learn how to handle compressed files and other formats

If you retrieve files from ftp archives, you will soon come across compressed and archived file formats. Compressing files, or packaging up multiple files into a single archive file, is common practice. Files take up less storage space and are quicker and easier to transfer. To compress a file requires compression software. When you retrieve such a file, normally you will need to have complementary decompression software to restore the file to its original form. The same principle applies with archived files and also with binary files which have been converted to text (encoded).

When you retrieve a file which has undergone one of these processes, note the file extension because this gives a clue to the software needed to restore the file to its original form.

See the table File formats and associated software for additional detail.