.zip Files Resource Page
These instructions are for Windows users. Please see Macintosh Resources if you are using a Mac. Although this site recommends these programs to unzip  information, there are other programs and methods to unzip files. Please also see the disclaimer.

Background                             
          What is a .zip file?

Zip files are "archives" used for distributing and storing files. Zip files contain one or more files. Usually the files "archived" in a Zip are compressed to save space. Zip files make it easy to group files and make transporting and copying these files faster. (source: WinZip)

Resources                        
         How can I find a program to unzip these files?

These sites provide programs that will unzip .zip files. You can download these programs to your computer. See below for directions on downloading these programs.

Instructions                     
         How do I download these programs?

1. Choose the version you want to download. When you click on a file, it will ask you, "What would you like to do with this file?" Choose "Save this file to disk."

2. You will now need to choose where you want to save this file on your computer. It will usually default to saving it in your program files or C drive unless you choose otherwise.

3. After you have chosen where you want to save the file, click "Save." The window will show you that the file is being downloaded.

4. When the window says, "Download complete," click "OK."

Installation                        
         How do I install these programs on my computer?

Exit out of all other programs on your computer just to be on the safe side. Go to where you saved the program on your computer. You should see an icon similar to the ones below. Double-click on the icon. Depending on the version of the program you chose to download or your computer, the instructions may differ.

WinZip     WinZip Evaluation Version 7.0 for Windows 95, 98 and NT		PKZip     PKZIP 2.60.03 for Windows, 16-bit version
winzip70		pk263w16
1. Click the "Setup" button. 2. Choose the folder you want to install WinZip in. It usually defaults to program files, but if you want to install it somewhere else, type that in, click "OK." 3. You will see a series of messages in the WinZip Setup window. Follow the instructions. See below for additional help.     a. After reading the first message. click "Next."     b. In the License Agreement and Warranty Disclaimer, click "Yes" unless you want to view the license agreement first.     c. Now, you will be asked to select "WinZip Wizard" or "WinZip Classic." Select "WinZip Wizard" if you are inexperienced with .zip files. Click "Next."     d. Choose where you want to search for favorite .zip files. Click "Next."     e. Click "Next"after reading the next window.     f. In the final window, click "Next" to view your .zip files or "Close" to exit. 4. WinZip is now installed on your computer. A window might pop up showing you where the shortcuts are. There will be some unzipped files where you downloaded WinZip on your computer. See below to learn about viewing .zip files.		1.You will see a message in the PKZip setup window. Read the message, then click "Next." 2. The next window will show you where your files will be extracted to. If you want to change this, use the pulldown menu under "Drives:" and choose your folder underneath "Extract To:". Click "Finish." 3. Click "OK" after reading the next window. 4. PKZip is now installed on your computer. A window might pop up showing you where the shortcuts are. There will be some unzipped files where you downloaded PKZip on your computer. See below to learn about viewing .zip files.

Viewing                                    
         How can I view the contents of a .zip file?

1. With one of the above unzipping programs, you can now unzip .zip files you download. You can download .zip files in the same manner as you downloaded the unzipping program (see Instructions -- How do I download these programs?)

2.When you have downloaded a .zip file, go to where you saved the downloaded .zip file(s) on your computer.

3. You will see an icon with a name below it. Double click on the icon. This should activate your unzipping program (WinZip, PKZip, etc.).  

		This is what a downloaded  file looks like if you are using WinZip. The icon may look different if you are using a different unzipping program.
	name

4. The program will then take you through unzipping the files step by step. There can be many files, so be careful where you save them. You might want to create a new folder to put the unzipped files in. This process varies depending on the unzipping program you are using.

5. When you have unzipped the files, you will have many files displayed. Files come in many formats, including notepad, word processing files, folders, etc.

Macintosh Resources         
           What if I use a Mac?

The following sites provide information on .zip files for Macintosh users.

StuffIt Expander ™				© 1998 FileMaker, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Click here to down load a freeware version of StuffIt Expander 5.1 for Macintosh (Windows and DOS programs also available).		This page contains shareware programs for Macs that will unzip files.		This page contains file format information and links helpful for both Mac and Windows users.