Doing shift-click or right click then save-as makes sure that you
download and save the file in binary format. Sometimes the webserver
settings are incorrect (specifically the mime-types), and the file is
sent in a text format. Ever click on a link to a .zip file and have
garbage displayed on your screen? Shift-clicking solves the problem.
For example, try typing this URL -
http://www.markarber.freeserve.co.uk/r1/osis.r1s
Using Netscape, I get a screen that looks like
YQ5SNG
V1.00$�`�0$�`�0$�`�...
[...]
If you *now* do "file->save as" the file you save may be corrupted
(depending on your browser). The easiest solution is to ask the website
maintainer to put up zip files instead of the raw .r1s files.
- Mike.
Kevin Church wrote:
>
> > Not necessarily. Depending what programs you use, it can be easy to
> > screw the files *as they are downloaded*. If you're using Netscape for
> > example, make sure you download by holding shift and clicking on the
> > link.
>
> Now, what exactly does that do? I work at a web-testing company, and I
> asked a couple of people about that. "Means nothing." was the general
> response. In fact, Pat said "It's a waste of a key press."
>
> If they're wrong, I'd dearly like to know, to rub their noses in it. :)
