If you are unfamiliar with saving files and images from the Internet - read on.

There are basically 3 types of items which you can quickly grab from the Internet.  The first and most straight forward - "Downloads" - (usually filename.ZIP, or filname.EXE - but sometimes have extensions like tar, z, arc, etc.)  The second are the pictures you see, (usually filename.JPG, or filename.GIF) - and the Third would be those multi-media (filename.WAV and filename.MID are real popular - but there are many others such as MP3, MOV, MOD, QTW - and MANY others.)

First - "Downloads"
Often by clicking on a link you will open a "File Save As ..." dialog box - remember where you save the file to.  (If you believe it is the correct link - and it tries to "Open" the file in your browser - then use your right mouse button an click on the link - and choose "Save Link As ..."

Once you have saved a file - if it is an EXE file all you need to do is run the file - either by double-clicking on it from "Explorer" or "File Manager" - or by clicking the Start button - choose "Run" - then browser for the file.  If it is a ZIP file (meaning that 1 or more files have been compressed into 1 small file) - then you must first get a program like "Winzip" - if you don't have such a program you can get it by clicking on the link below:

WinZip: You will find directions at the above site for using winzip to UN-zip files.
 

Second - Images
First you must up the intended image or wallpaper by clicking on any possible 'Thumbnail' (small picture.) Note that both IE (Internet Explorer), and Netscape "center" wallpaper - so if you need to 'resize' the image I suggest you download a program capable of resizing images.  Several of the best that I have seen are Thumbs Plus, and IrfanView.  (The Mac users should know that to save an image - you click and hold the button down.)  After that there are several ways to get your wallpaper - below are 3 of the most popular methods:

1.  Using your browser to make the picture the wallpaper.  (Works fine for computers already running 1024X768 resolution).

      A.)  Internet Explorer.  Right click on the wallpaper image, and choose "Set as wallpaper"  This will create a file in you \windows directory called  \windows\Internet Explorer Wallpaper.bmp - you may want to copy it somewhere in "Your Files".

      B.)  Netscape.  Right click on the wallpaper image, and choose "Set as wallpaper" This will create a file in you \windows directory called  \windows\Netscape Wallpaper.bmp - you may want to copy it somewhere in "Your Files".

2.  Save the file to your "Hard Drive":  (IE = 'right-click' on image and choose "Save Picture As")  and (Netscape = 'right-click' on image and choose "Save Image As") - Then opening it with the graphics program of your choice (I like IrfanView, and Thumbs Plus) - and use one of the tools to set it as wallpaper, and choose a 'stretch', or 'Fit to desktop' type of item.  If you are running Windows 98 then you can even use Paint - but again - Paint -  will only "center" or "tile" the image.  If you are running Windows 98 - AND - you have "Avtive Desktop" enabled - then just browse for the image - (even a jpg) - and you have some nice center, tile, stretch options right in the display properties.

3.  Save and Manipulate:  Save the file to your 'local' computer (see above).  Then with the image tool of your choice (again - see above) - convert it to the resolution you use, and make it a .bmp (bitmap) file.  Note: Those running a Windows 98 active desktop won't need to do this.  Now use the display properties to choose the new .bmp file as your wallpaper.  By default Windows looks in the c:\windows directory for  the *.bmp - newer versions however are able to 'Browse' for the image.
 

Third would be Multi-Media Files like sounds. -
There are a ton of other types of files you may want to save from the Internet as well.  Sounds and movies are very popular on the Internet, and come in a wide variety of formats (*.wav, *.midi, *.mp3, *.avi, *.mov, *.mpg, and many others).  Many times if you click on a link - it will open a program called the Windows "Media Player" - download the file - and then play it.  To save this file for future use, just click on the "File" menu - and choose the "Save As..." option.  More to come on these "Other" files in the future.

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Note: If you absolutely can not get what you want as far as a screen resolution - then send me an email and I will convert the file to a bitmap (bmp) and the resolution you need, then zip it up and send it to you.  Just drop me a line at: webmaster@web-friend.com