Download FAQs

• Now that my file is on the screen, what do I do?
• My file is a bunch of numbers and text separated by commas. What do I do now?
• Importing ASCII delimited files into a spreadsheet: How do I do it?
• When I hit the RETRIEVE THIS FILE button, the screen says "Too Many Unsuccessful Attempts".
• After I enter the file name and hit RETRIEVE THIS FILE, the computer asks me if I want to SAVE this file. What do I do?
• The top of the DropBox page said that this page works best with Netscape 2.0 or higher. What gives?
• Do I have to worry about viruses when downloading files from the DropBox?

Now that my file is on the screen, what do I do?

This depends on what kind of file you have. There are two basic types of data files you'll download from this site: a REPORT FORMAT or an ASCII DELIMITED FILE.

REPORT FORMAT:

This is an electronic version of what you might otherwise get on paper. You can print the file from your browser by selecting PRINT from the toolbar or from the FILE menu. You could also save the file to your hard drive and print it from your word processor.

• Save the file to your hard drive. Select FILE : SAVE AS...
• Change the file type to PLAIN TEXT.
• Make sure the file has a name and click SAVE.
• Open your word processor.
• Open the file you just saved from your browser.
• If the columns don't line up, make sure you're using a monospaced font (i.e. courier, line printer) and that the margins are wide enough.
• Select FILE : PRINT



ASCII DELIMITED FILE:

This file is formatted so that you can import it into a spreadsheet or database. Double quotes (") encase the text and either spaces or commas (,) seperate each column. For instructions on importing it into a spreadsheet, see the question Importing ASCII delimited files into a spreadsheet: How do I do it?

My file is a bunch of numbers and text separated by commas. What do I do now?

This file is an ASCII DELIMITED file and is formatted so that you can import it into a spreadsheet or database. Double quotes (") encase the text and either spaces or commas (,) seperate each column. For instructions on importing it into a spreadsheet, see the question Importing ASCII delimited files into a spreadsheet: How do I do it?

Importing ASCII delimited files into a spreadsheet: How do I do it?

These instructions will guide you on how to import your ASCII delimited file into a Lotus 1-2-3 Release 5 (for Windows) worksheet as well as a MS Excel 7.0 (for Windows 95) spreadsheet. We realize there are other spreadsheet applications and other platforms, but these instructions should guide you enough to cover most bases. We assume you have some experience in negotiating through Windows95 (or Windows 3.1 or the MacOS or ...) and have experience in finding specific files from within an application. If not, consult any of the numerous references available ( books, web sites, that person in the corner who seems to know how to make their computer jump through hoops ).

Lotus 1-2-3 Rel. 5 (for Windows):

Option 1:

• Start 1-2-3
• Select FILE : OPEN
• Change the FILE TYPE to TEXT
• Select the file you saved to your hard drive by clicking on the file name once.
• Select Text Options... from the right hand side of the dialog box.
• Under Separator, select Comma or Space (which ever is appropriate).
• Under Character Set, select Windows.
• Click OK. This takes you back to the OPEN dialog box.
• Click OK.
• 1-2-3 will then import your file and separate the data into appropriate columns.

Sometimes a file has more than one separator. Part of the file may separate the columns with commas and another part may separate with spaces. In this case, the best way to import the file is the same way you'd do it in the DOS version of 1-2-3.

Option 2:

• Start 1-2-3
• Hit "/" (slash)
• Hit "F" (File)
• Hit "I" (Import)
• Hit "N" (Number)
• Type in the full name of the file including the path. If the file is ALPHA.TXT and is saved in the ONE subdirectory of your C drive, type c:\one\alpha.txt.
• Hit ENTER
• 1-2-3 will then import your file and separate the data into appropriate columns.


MS Excel 7.0 (for Windows95):

• Start Excel
• Select FILE : OPEN
• Under FILES OF TYPE, select TEXT FILES
• Select the file you saved to your hard drive.
• Hit OPEN
• This takes you to the IMPORT WIZARD. Select ORIGINAL DATA TYPE : DELIMITED.
• Select FILE ORIGIN: WINDOWS (ANSI)
• Hit NEXT>
• Select all of the delimiters that apply. If your file has more than one delimiter, make sure all are selected. For instance, if your file uses spaces and commas as delimiters, make sure SPACE and COMMA are selected.
• Hit NEXT>
• Identify the type of data in each column. If a column has text in it, identify it as TEXT. If a column has values, select GENERAL. If a column has numbers you are using as identifiers (like 10-digit HTS numbers), select TEXT.
• Select FINISH.
• Excel will then import your file and separate the data into appropriate columns.

When I hit the RETRIEVE THIS FILE button, the screen says "Too Many Unsuccessful Attempts".

This means that you have entered three (3) or more incorrect file names during your current session. Do the following:

1. Close your browser.
2. Call us to get your correct file name.
3. Start your browser again and download your file.

After I enter the file name and hit RETRIEVE THIS FILE, the computer asks me if I want to SAVE this file. What do I do?

This means that you are probably downloading a file whose name ends in ZIP or EXE. Tell the computer you want to SAVE the file, then tell it where you want to save that file on your hard drive.

The top of the DropBox page said that this page works best with Netscape 2.0 or higher. What gives?

While the vast majority of people have no problem downloading files from the DropBox page, we have had quite a few people complaining that their browser tells them that the download can not be completed. The broswer knows that the file exists, but, for whatever reason, it can't read it. This seems to be more a function of the browser than the file as we can access all of the files with no problem.

These complaints have mainly come from users who have commercial online services (Compuserve, etc.) as their Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and who are using non-Netscape browsers. Those same people who use Netscape browsers do not seem to have a problem (knock on wood).

Consequently, should you have problems downloading your file, and you are on a commercial on-line service using a non-Netscape browser, try to correct the problem by using a Netscape browser. Should the problem persist, contact the ftdwebmaster.

Do I have to worry about viruses when downloading files from the DropBox?

If you're downloading a SELECTED COMMODITY SERVICE subscription file (145, 146, 545), the answer is NO. In order for a virus to spread, it must be executed through a program. The SELECTED COMMODITY SERVICE files are all text files and will not spread viruses. This is just like the mythical GOOD TIMES virus.

If you're downloading a ZIP file or executable (EXE) file, the answer is MAYBE. All executable files posted to the DropBox are scanned for viruses using IBM ANTI-VIRUS before they are posted. However, you should always have access to anti-virus software to scan any executable files you download from the Internet. There are many good shareware anti-virus applications available on the net.