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TIPS on Files Formats

 Adobe Acrobat Reader:

 Ver 4.0.5 is all any one really needs  5.5MB direct link

ftp://ftp.adobe.com/pub/adobe/acrobatreader/win/4.x/ar405eng.exe

Ver 5 for 95 and later 10MB [works on XP too]

Ver 6 is 16MB 9X and later

Ver 7 is 21MB XP & XP-SP1 [plus later]

Ver 8 is 28MB XP-SP2 & Vista only

 http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html for Ver 5 to 8

Coma Separated Vaues  [CSV]:

 Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comma-separated_values

 How to create [excellent information on file format]

http://www.creativyst.com/Doc/Articles/CSV/CSV01.htm

 Tips on using with various address books, Mail Merge and Excel

  • The first [top] line in the file describes the field name and is used when importing or mail merge to match the input field to the program position desired.

  • Most address books & PIM's will accept CSV files directly, but you may have to set the "file type" to look for the csv extension [usually a drop down menu].

  • The best editor for csv [txt] files is Notepad.  This is somewhat tedious to use because you MUST keep track of the commas .  However if you have Excel on your PC the file will automatically open in Excel.  CAUTION: Excel will open with standard columns - these must be first selected [highlighted] then formatted to "fit the data" [Format-Column-AutoFit Selection] or the contents will be truncated  [& lost].  Also you must select the csv format from the drop down menu when saving the file [File-Save As...-Save as type:- CSV (Comma delimited)(*.csv)]

Windows Address Book [WAB is acronym for]

 This file format is primarily used for the Windows 9x / XP Outlook Express address book which many people use, and is a form of archiving contact data.

 [Not so in Vista see http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms735778.aspx for information on “Windows Contacts”  Vista also accepts WAB, but prefers CSV, LDIF or vCARD ]

 It is also used to import into other email programs such as Eudora, Pegasus, Hotmail or Thunderbird.  Yahoo uses csv form for data.

 Although I can not recommend using Outlook Express due to its many security faults the WAB file is very useful for exporting data to other email programs.

The following web site explains many things about WAB files and other attributes of Outlook Express.

 Inside Outlook Express – Files and Settings http://www.insideoe.com/files/wab.htm

 File Archiving  “zip”

[Compression – De-Compression] – useful to send multiple files as one attachment, that can be separated by the recipient.  Very good for AOL users.

 Windows XP has basic capability to view, extract and make “zip” files.  Which may be all that is needed to extract the files you want.

 PKzip [ver 2.04g] Original DOS utility for compression very good but not too user friendly.  Newer versions now available at www.pkware.com.

 Winzip Popular Windows program now on ver 11.1 – best results using ver 8.1 or older.  Trial versions available www.winzip.com

 7-ZIP Open Source [i.e. free] archiving program for windows – covers most formats.  Available for download at www.7-zip.org [7z422.exe 818K file]

 RAR or WinRAR Popular archiving program at www.rarlab.com trial version available that only bugs you to register www.rarlab.com/rar/wrar362.exe [1meg + file]

 

 This page last updated May 12, 2007

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