Every file must be a specific file type, which is usually indicated by the file extension, a two (.au), three (.avi), or four letter (.aiff) that follows the name of the file, e.g. photo.jpg

To find out the file's file type, use your mouse and right-click on the file and choose "Properties" in the menu.

A window will appear and you can see the file type next to "Type:" and the file extension next to "MS-DOS name".

If you have a file, and do not know what the file extension means, here are some helpful links:

• Every File Format in the World from whatis.com, click here
• Wotsit's Format, click here
• Ext Search - File Extension Search Engines, click here

In order to use a file with an application and/or service, it must be compatible or supported by the application, otherwise the application or service will not allow the file to be opened or imported.

There are many applications that can support multiple file types and allow you to convert or "save as" a file from one format to another.

For example, the free graphic program "XNView" can open more than 200 different image file formats and save a file in 30 different file formats.

For a list of free programs to convert:

• image files
  • from download.com, click here
  • from webattack.com, click here
• sound files
• from download.com, click here
• from webattack.com, click here

It may be necessary to convert a file into another file format in order to import the file for use with Homestead Personal. To see what file types are supported by Homestead, click here.

If you would like a specific application to open a specific file type:

1. Hold down the "Shift" key and right-click on the file with the mouse. Choose "Open with" in the file menu:

2. A window will appear and you can choose a specific application.

• If you cannot find the desired application, click on the "Other" button and browse for the application.
• If you would like the file type to always be opened by the chosen application, check the "Always use..." box.

Homestead Personal also currently has file size limits for certain file types:

• file size limit: 900kb
• .html;.txt;.htm;.au;.cab;.class;.css;.gif;.ivr;.jar;.jpeg;.jpg;.js;.midi;.swf;.wav;.mid
• note: these files can be loaded directly in the web page
• file size limit: 5MB
• all other files listed here
• note: these files can only be posted for download

(Please note that none of the above are official partners of Homestead, nor have we done any extensive testing of what they have to offer. Use of their tools and services must be undertaken at your own risk.)