LESSON Three: Managing Files continued
G. Common File Formats and Extensions
Many Windows users are confused by the large number
of file formats used by Windows and Windows software. Which file types
are associated with which program? Which programs open which file types?
Which file types are system files, necessary for Windows to operate? The
following list should clarify some of these issues.
.ani windows animated cursor file
.avi video for windows video clip
.bak backup file
.bat ms-dos system start-up file
.bmp windows bitmapped graphic image
.cdr corel draw 3, 4 and 5 vector image
.cmx corel draw 5, 6 vector image
.com ms-dos application
.cur windows cursor file
.dll dynamic link library system file
.doc microsoft word/wordpad document
.dos ms-dos file
.dot microsoft word template
.eps encapsulated postscript image
.exe executable program file
.gif CompuServe Internet graphic image
.hlp windows help file
.htm Internet document file (created on a PC)
.html Internet document file (created on a Mac)
.ico windows icon file
.inf windows setup file
.ini program configuration text file
.jpg compressed quiktime image/Internet picture
.log notepad log (text file)
.mid windows midi music file
.old old file, usually an earlier version of a replaced
file
.pcx pc paintbrush bitmap image
.pdf adobe acrobat file (multi-operating system)
.pm6 adobe pagemaker 6 file
.pot microsoft powerpoint template
.ppt microsoft powerpoint presentation
.psd adobe photoshop image file
.pub microsoft publisher file
.qic microsoft backup file
.rpt report (text) file
.rtf rich text format
.scp dialup-networking script file
.scr windows screensaver
.sea, .sit Macintosh compressed file
.sys system text file
.tif tagged image format image file
.tmp temporary file
.ttf true type font file
.txt text file, associated with notepad
.url internet address shortcut
.wav wave for windows sound file
.wfn corel draw symbol file
.wmf windows metafile image format
.wpd wordperfect document
.wpg wordperfect vector graphics file
.wps microsoft works document
.wri windows write wordprocessor
.xlc microsoft excel chart
.xls microsoft excel version 4, 5
.zip windows zipped compressed file
A NOTE ABOUT GRAPHIC FILE FORMATS
Raster or bitmap images consist of hundreds of tiny dots or pixels which
create variation in color and shading. Created by painting software such
as MsPaint, Corel PhotoPaint, or Adobe Photoshop, these images contain
continuous tones and reproduce photograph detail. However, they tend
to be large in size, and are not easily enlarged or reduced.
Vector images, composed of lines, are based upon mathematical formulas
which enable images to be drawn according to specific coordinates. Unlike
raster images, they do not utilize pixel information. Created and used by
drawing programs (such as Corel Draw or Adobe Illustrator) rather than
painting software, vector files are small in size, and can easily be reduced,
enlarged, or transformed without loss of quality.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON FILE FORMATS:
Graphics File Formats
http://www.why-not.com/articles/formats.htm
Common Internet File Formats
http://www.matisse.net/files/formats.html
Multimedia File Formats on the Internet
http://rodent.lib.rochester.edu/multimed/contents.htm
NEXT: Lesson 4, Customizing Your Desktop - Shortcut Icons continue
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