THE INTERNET
Downloading Text and Data
Internet data or text files can easily be downloaded with the help
of any internet browser. One can download a whole page or selected material.
For example, goto to the Federal Reserve
Board of St. Louis clicking on the underlined text. Then click on "FRED"
the historical database of economic and financial data. Next, click on
the link entitled "Data files" index of historical data series available.Then
proceed to click on "Monthly Interest Rates" and then "6-month Certificate
of Deposit Rate."You will now see the requested time series. To download
this information do the following:
To download series using Netscape simply hold down the shift key and click (left) on the filename of the series you want to download. Save the file as "Text." A window will appear verifying the filename. Edit the name or select OK to download.
To download series using Internet Explorer click (right mouse button) on the series you want to download and choose "Save Target As" from the menu that appears. Save the file as "Text." Another window will display so you can select the destination for the file.
Or an individual can click on "File" in your command toolbar, and then on "Save As..." In the dialog box, specify the directory you want the data to be stored and the name of the file that shall contain the data. If using a computer on campus, make sure that you save to your disk via the A drive. Determine the file type as "Text." Click on the save button and return to the Program Manager.
Upon activating your spreadsheet program, click on "file" followed by "open." Enter the directory and the name of file containing the data. For example, the Text Import Wizard of Excel will assist in separating the text into columns. After opening the file, Text Import Wizard will display a message that you data is delimited. Click on "next" so that the display slightly changes. In dialog box, set delimiters to "Space," to ensure the data columns remain separated, then click on "Finish." Once the data appear in spreadsheet format, they can easily be depicted in form of a graph. Just highlight with your cursor the data rows that contain the data of the time period in which you are interested. Click on "chart wizard" which will guide you through the process of creating and customizing the graph.
Downloading Software from the Internet
If you don't have a compression/expansion utility already, that should
probably be first on your list, because much of the other software will
be in a compressed format to speed up the download time and you'll need
to expand it in order to use it. Visit http://www.shareware.com/
to download such software.
If you are using a Mac, the file will automatically be downloaded to
your desktop. If you are using Navigator for Windows, the "Save As" window
will open allowing you to choose a destination for the file. Be sure to
note where it is so that you can find it after the download is finished.
If you are using Explorer, the "File Download" window with a warning about
viruses will open first. Choose "Save it to disk" and then the same "Save
As" window will open as in Navigator. To install the program, find the
file and double click it. You will be prompted as to how to finish the
installation.
New to Internet?
You should probably visit Newbie-U.
The site provides free, self guided tutorials on various Internet subjects
for both Windows and Macintosh users. These "crash courses" will make any
Newbie feel comfortable setting off into their brave new world of the Internet.
