What ia a Zip file?
A zip file is a compressed file (or group of files) with the file subscript .zip. The compression technology is widely used and evaluation and 'shareware' programmes exist, such as Winzip and WinRAR, to 'decompress' the file once it is received. The decompression programmes, sometimes called 'archivers', guide you through the process, which they call 'extraction'. They ask you to select which files you would like extracted and to nominate a destination folder for the extracted files. Once the process has been carried out, you can print, display or exectute the files as normal. Sometimes a compressed file or folder has an inbuilt executable programme, which allows you to double-click the file name and extraction is then carried out automatically. Downloads using this technique have a .exe. subscript.
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What happens when I download a file?
When you click the 'download' button on a jazzorg file (or any other site download), the jazzorg programme notifies your browser that it is ready to download a file. Your browser takes control and asks you whether you would like to 'open' the file (thus only keeping it in 'memory') or save it to disk. If you opt for saving to disk, your browser will then either ask you where would you like to save it or stores it straight away in a predetermined folder, usually called 'Downloads'. The file is transmitted between jazzorg and your computer in 'packets', which are then reassembled in your computer (See the FAQ on download speeds).
Once the download is finished, you can then operate on the file in your usual way, relocating it or opening it to display, print or execute. The most popular download file types are .pdf, which is basically an image file used for display of text and images and .mp3, which is a 'compressed' file used for faster transfer of audio files. When a large file or group of files need to be compressed for convenience or to minimise the download time, a widely-used compression technology is applied to create a .zip file (See the FAQ on Zip files). Some download files have a .exe subscript, which signifies an executable file and your browser will normally warn you that they could hide something nasty - it is important, therefore, to be able to trust the source of your .exe download. There is no voodoo in downloads, your computer and the website are sending and receiving data packets all the time you are working on-line, just to sustain your interaction with the site.
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How long will it take for me to download a full item file?
Times vary, depending upon the available bandwith and contention, supplied by your ISP, and packet errors, together with how busy the web servers are. The table below shows the approximate times for downloading 1Mb and you can multiply up the times by the number of Mb's in the downloaded file. (The file size is shown at the download item and, for example, 10Mb would take 10 times as long as the 1Mb figure.)
Download speed also affects audio samples played on the pages (see 'Why do my audio samples not play straight away?')
To download 1Mb takes nominally:
- Approximately 2.5 minutes on a 56KB/s modem connection.(dial-up)
- Approximately 15 seconds on a 512KB/s ADSL connection.(broadband)
- Approximately 7.5 seconds on a 1MB/s ADSL connection.(broadband)
- Approximately 3.3 seconds on a 2MB/s ADSL connection.(broadband)
- Approximately 0.5 seconds on an 8MB/s ADSL connection.(broadband)
The above values are only nominal. An informative source on speeds and other cable modem issues is at this link.
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Why do my audio samples not play straight away?
The audio samples on the site are not set to auto-start and this allows you to control the start/pause etc. via the player buttons. However, an additional reason may be your download speed of the audio file and this may mean that the player 'image' is displayed before the audio file is fully available. To keep this to a minimum, jazzorg limits samples to about a minute in length, which, for an optimum quality mp3 compressed file, gives a file size of about 1Mb.
To download 1Mb takes nominally:
- Approximately 2.5 minutes on a 56KB/s modem connection.(dial-up)
- Approximately 15 seconds on a 512KB/s ADSL connection.(broadband)
- Approximately 7.5 seconds on a 1MB/s ADSL connection.(broadband)
- Approximately 3.3 seconds on a 2MB/s ADSL connection.(broadband)
- Approximately 0.5 seconds on an 8MB/s ADSL connection.(broadband)
These times vary, depending upon the available bandwith and contention, supplied by your ISP, and packet errors, together with how busy the web servers are. You can multiply up the times for downloads of full versions of items on the site. The file size is shown at the download item (see 'How long will it take for me to download a full item file?')
The above values are only nominal. An informative source on speeds and other cable modem issues is at this link.
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Why do I need an 'alias'?
You don't need an alias but it is useful to maintain your privacy, when communicating on the website or submitting links etc. It is no big deal, however, and you can use your own name in the alias box,if you prefer. Some of the registered aliases reflect favourite performers ('Jaco Lives!', 'Prez'), through tunes like 'Doxy' and 'Lemon Drop' to the wry 'Miles Behind' and 'Dorian Modem'. A hint of humour is always welcome.
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How do I ask a question?
You can send us a question via the 'contact us' button, which puts an email form on the screen. We will respond via email as soon as we can and, if the question represents a widespread query, we will post it on the FAQ section.
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How do I contact jazzorg?
The method is to contact us through (surprise) the 'contact us' button on the home page of the site, sending an email. Any comments should be concise and to the point (consider the Forums as a first step...) and, if your thinking of making a contribution, see the FAQ for that subject. We will reply, if relevant, as soon as we can.
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