What Does It Mean To Upload

Lesson 5: Downloading and Uploading

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Downloading and uploading

Abstract diagram of downloading and uploading

While exploring the Cyberspace, you've probably encountered the terms downloading and uploading. Downloading means receiving data or a file from the Cyberspace on your computer. Uploading means sending data or a file from your computer to somewhere on the Internet.

These terms draw activities you may have already learned how to do. If you've e'er opened an case document in ane of our tutorials, you've downloaded that file. If you've ever shared a photo you took on Facebook or another social media site, you lot've uploaded that photo.

Downloading

Usually, when you download a file yous will start the download past clicking a link to that file. Many of our tutorials contain links to files, like this:

Download our practice document.

If you click the link, your browser should prompt you to select one of two methods for downloading the file.

Open with will download the file and load it immediately in the specified programme.
Save File volition download it and save information technology to your difficult drive.

Dialog box with choice to Open with or Save File as

Either way, once you click OK, the download begins. Your browser volition betoken the progress and time remaining on the download.

Download progress bar

One time the download is consummate, either the file will be saved to your estimator or it will open in the programme you selected. If y'all have problem finding the file after y'all've downloaded it, check out our Finding Your Downloads lesson.

Some browsers don't e'er showtime this download process when you click the link to a file. In these cases, you can right-click the link, then click Save Link As, then select a location to download the file.

Uploading

If a site allows uploads, it will take an upload utility to help perform the file transfer. Each site handles this procedure differently, but we'll requite some mutual examples. Usually, the site will have help pages to walk y'all through the upload process.

Many sites take an upload button that opens a dialog box. For example, Facebook has a camera icon that begins the upload procedure.

A dialog box will appear, prompting you to select a file. Browse to the location where your file is stored, select it, and then click the Open push button. Afterward, a progress bar tracking the upload process will announced on the page.

Select a file to upload

Some sites support a elevate-and-drib interface. For example, when logged in to Dropbox y'all tin drag the files from a folder on your computer and driblet them into the browser window.

Drag and drop upload interface on Dropbox