How to save images and sounds and be sure that they run well

Saving Images and Sounds

To save an image, move your mouse directly over the image itself then right click button on your mouse. You will be presented with a menu of options. Choose "Save Image As" or "Save Picture As" from the menu that appears. If it is a JPEG file, you will probably want to save it as a .jpg. You can change the file name - the part before the extension - to a name you can better recognize. The suggested names for image files are usually pretty cryptic, like "x32yT.jpg."

You could rename this "charlie.jpg" and you will know from the extension .jpg that it is an image of Charlie. If changing the names is too much work, just keep a list somewhere of what the file is called and where you put it. Some people keep a running log of the files they download and where they saved them.

Most sound files feature a link that initiates the download process. Again, you will probably want to preserve the format and file extension as you would an image file, as explained above. To open image and sound files, your computer must be configured with the right programs to do so. Usually, when you double-click on a file, the appropriate program will probably launch, opening the file onto the screen.

What If I Want to Save an Entire Web Page?

There are several reasons you may want to save an entire web page. Perhaps you want to read it while you are offline. Maybe you are giving a presentation and would like to show the page as an example of something. Again, the intended use determines the format in which you should save the file. Always be aware of the copyrights associated with web pages - and use web material accordingly.

If you copy the entire page to your computer, you must save each file on that page separately, using the techniques outlined above. Usually, you begin by using the "Save" function of your browser - saving to .html. Then you have to individually save each of the image and sound files. All of them must be stored in the same folder and must maintain their original names. If you do this properly, you will be able to double-click on the "main" file (the one you saved as .html) and the other files will load automatically. In the newer versions of the Internet Explorer browser only, Microsoft has added a most convenient feature - "File, Save As Complete," which allows you to capture the entire website including the photos and graphics in one click. Netscape does not offer this feature.

If you merely want to save the "look" of a website, it may be easier to do a screen capture. To capture a screen, press "Alt+Prt Scr" (Print Screen), which copies the active window, then paste it into the application of your choice (perhaps a paint or graphics program). To paste, press "Ctrl+V" or go to the "Edit" button and hit "Paste." Then save the file as a bitmap or . bmp file. If you want to get fancier and be able to copy parts of a page including their graphics, so you can play with the images size and shapes, you will need special software to do what is known as "screen capturing" of a page. There are dozens of companies that provide free, low-cost or highcost capturing software. If you need a more sophisticated program, try a program like Jasc's PaintShop Pro, which costs about US$100 or Snagit, which is free to try for 45 days, US$39.95 if you decide to register.

These programs allow you to control what part of the screen you want to capture and also let you edit the image or convert it to a large number of formats. Some of these programs cost money, others are shareware - where you pay a modest fee to keep the company in business.

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