Downloads are computer files that can be transferred from a server to an individual user, including music, software, and documents. Some downloads are meant to be used offline, while others are meant to be used online. However, there are risks associated with downloads, such as harmful embedded materials and piracy. To share something by making it available for download, users need access to a server and can password protect the directory for private materials.
A download is a computer file or set of files designed to be transferred from a server to an individual user. Downloads can take a number of forms, ranging from individual music files distributed by artists as free samples to their loyal fans to entire trade magazines packaged for electronic distribution. Many people use downloads on a regular basis and there is a thriving business in providing hubs where people can access a wide variety of downloads.
Some downloads are designed to be used offline, with people simply accessing the internet to get what they need. Others are meant to be used online. For example, someone could download an instant messenger to chat with friends over the Internet, or someone could download a multiplayer game that would allow people to network and play games together over the Internet.
Many software programs are available as downloads. Free software can be downloaded and used instantly, while products that people have to pay for will require a credit card or other form of payment before people can access the server to download the software. Classically, software comes in a zipped format so it transfers quickly, with users unzipping it at the end so they can install it.
Music and video are popular forms of download, available for free or for a fee from many sites. People can also download documents, presentations and a variety of other materials. For example, a publisher and a client might collaborate on a project by storing the latest version on a server so both parties can easily download it and see how the project is doing, or a librarian might subscribe to downloadable magazines so students can access them easily.
There are some risks with downloads. Free downloads are problematic because when they come from unreliable sources, they can contain embedded materials that can be harmful to computer users, such as programs that harvest usernames and passwords or programs that load spyware onto a user’s computer. The ease with which products can be downloaded also makes it easier for pirates to illegally copy and distribute products via downloads.
Anyone who wants to share something by making it available for download will need to have access to a server. If the file or files are large, it can be useful to compress them for faster transfer times. Once the file or files have been prepared for download, they can be uploaded to the server and users can send the address of the file to anyone who wants to access it. For private materials, users can password protect the directory, allowing only authorized users to access it and obtain the file or files.
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