.zip eh?

[moodragonx]

Um... it might be best to start off with saying that I don't know my way around a computer . I can use word processors or like spreadsheets and I know how to get around the internet but as for as dealing with the actually programs (besides double clicking on a desktop icon) i get totally lost.    So i thought I'd ask and see if anyone can lend some knowledge on what a .zip file is/how it works and what i should be doing with them (or this leaving them alone). I ask because in the process of trying to figure out what I'm doing i came across a lot of troubleshooting help that instructs me to do things with .zip files and i don't want to mess around too much with things i don't know about, in case I somehow ruin the program (i don't know if that's possible but I'm sure I'll find a way). I already searched the forums (i'm also somewhat forums handicapped as I don't usually have to deal with them much) for info on .zip programs and tried some stickies that sorta helped a little and I'm getting the idea that it involves dragging and dropping which seems simple enough, but I'm still a little confused.   

If anyone's feeling patient, or generous, or whatever I'd seriously appreciate some enlightenment. 


PS In case this subject has already been discussed on another post and I simply missed it I'll gladly look there if someone can redirect me with a link or something... and if that is the case I suppose I should appologize beforehand for wasting anyones time. 

PSS Um i guess i should throw in there that This isn't a specific problem or anything urgent at all for that matter. I was just hoping to get some background knowledge if that's possible

-MOO-

[bilbous]

A zip file is a file that has been encoded in such a way as to make it much smaller. It becomes unusable for what it was until it has been decoded. There are several common standards and many free programs for dealing with them. I believe most any operating system has tools for dealing with them too. If you are in windows, search for help on "compression" or "compressing files"

[moodragonx]

okay so this is what i'm getting so far:

a .zip file is a file made smaller for whatever those purposes might be... you need to make them larger...or open it before you can use or even access anything within said file. I do indeed have windows (windows XP for that matter if it makes any difference), I apologize i should have mentioned that earlier but oh well now.

I do recall reading certain things on other threads about downloading programs such as Winrar to assist in the process. Are such programs necessary or is it more of a helpful program for people... like me....? regardless as far as searching for compression I just searched and a lot of what i found was about new updates but not much troubleshooting help for .zip files or something around that. Um... i may just be a lost cause (like i mentioned earlier I'm not very good with much of the finer intricacies of computer software)  but any more help would be sincerely appreciated if it is available