LauraWrites.net

This is a list of extensions commonly found online and what they mean:

Documents:

• .doc = Word Document. This can only be opened with Microsoft's Word.
• .txt = Plain text file. This is commonly opened with “Notepad.”
• .rtf = Rich Text file. This can be opened with Wordpad or Word.
• .htm or . html = Hypertext Mark-Up Language. A web page that opens with any internet browser.
• .Pdf = Usually a file that can be “read only.” It is opened with Adobe's Acrobat Reader.
• .php = A computer language (or script) that is popular with online message boards and some guest books. Php is highly flexible and allows much information in a small amount of space. Due to its complexities, writing and working in-depth with Php should be left to those who have experience with it.
• .pub = Microsoft Publisher

Audio:

• .Mp3 or .Mp4 = Most often an audio file. Both can only be played with MP3 or MP4 compatible player.
• .wma = Windows Media File. This file opens with Windows Media Player
• .wav = Wave sound. This usually opens with the same program as a .wma file.
• .midi = A low-quality sound. This is still popular online because of its ease of use. People with slow connections can usually download midi files quickly and easily.

Visual/Other:

• .ppt = A power-point presentation. Many email forwards are now arriving as attached presentations instead of the standard.
• .zip = A file that has been zipped, or “compressed” to make downloading easier. Once downloaded, these files must be unzipped to use. Most new computers have unzipping utilities already installed. If not, there are many programs to choose from, including Winzip and Winrar.
• .ai = Adobe Illustrator
• .psp = Paint Shop Pro
• .qxd = Quark Express (Mac affiliate)

Image Extensions:

These extensions are found at the end of image names online.

• .jpeg = Also known as a JPEG file.
• .gif = CompuServe Graphics Interchange
• .png = Portable Network Graphic
• .bmp = Windows BitMap (i.e. Common Paint image)
• .tiff = Tagged Image File Format

Animations/Movie Programs:

• .fla = Flash
• .mov = Movie file.