Troubleshooting Guide for Downloads

MP3 and MP4 Files | PDFs, MOBI, and EPUB Files

DIRECTIONS FOR DOWNLOADING MP3 and MP4 FILES

* MP3 definition: a means of compressing a sound sequence into a very small file, to enable digital storage and transmission.
* MP4 definition: is a digital multimedia container format most commonly used to store video and audio

DOWNLOADING FILES TO A DESKTOP OR LAPTOP

1. After purchasing one of our downloadable products, you will automatically receive an email containing an internet “link” to download your MP3 or MP4 product. Even though the downloads never expire, we recommend you download your files (directions are below) as soon as possible.  To protect our copyright, you are limited to 10 attempts at downloading your product.

Download your file from email.

2. To download an MP3 or MP4 product on our website, go to My Account and log in to access your download. Click the button ‘Download’ and find your asset and click the download icon to download it.

If you registered as a ‘Guest’ and do not have an account on our website, you will not be able to use this option. Check out the information below about ‘Guest Accounts.

Login to your account and click the button ‘Downloads’.
Click the file you want to download. To protect our copyright, you are limited to 10 attempts at downloading your product.

3. For the long-term protection of your product, the best place to download it is to a desktop or laptop computer. (Desktops and laptops are not as easy to drop or lose as phones!) For your convenience, you are free to transfer them from your computer to your other electronic devices (see directions below.) You are not free, however, to share the files outside of your immediate household.  Doing so is a violation of our copyright.

4. Most of our MP3 files are very large and travel to you in a “compressed” file, otherwise known as a “.zip file”.

5. Where your .zip file downloads on your computer depends on the personal settings of your computer. Most computers default to storing downloads by date in a folder titled, “Downloads.” The visual icon of this file is usually a white rectangle with a zipper down the middle of it.  This means it is a “zipped” or “compressed file.”

This is what a .zip file looks like.

6. To access your product, you must decompress it or unzip it. Typically, this is done by double-clicking or right clicking your mouse over the file, and clicking ‘Open with’ to find the app or software your computer uses to decompress files.

This is what a .zip decompressed file looks like.

NOTE: Most computers have decompression software already installed.  If yours does not have it, we recommend WinZip.

7. Once a file is decompressed, it will appear as a titled “folder” on your computer. At this time, it is wise to save the folder in a logical location on your computer (rather than in your download folder).  For example, you may want to create an exclusive folder for your computer titled, “The Mystery of History Audio Book.” You’ll thank yourself later when you hunt for those lessons on a busy day!

DOWNLOADING FILES TO A NOTEPAD/IPAD OR SMARTPHONE

1. The best way to install MP3 products on handheld devices (such as notepads, iPads, or Smartphones), is to download the files FIRST to a desktop or laptop computer. For one, desktop and laptop computers are not as easy to drop or lose as handheld devices and will protect and store your product for years to come.  Second, though technology is advancing rapidly*, it is now easier to decompress or unzip files on a desktop or laptop.  After files are decompressed, you can transfer them to your handheld devices (see directions below.)

2. Methods of transferring files from a computer to a handheld device vary. But most will utilize some form of “cloud” type software such as Dropbox, iTunes, OneDrive, Google Drive, etc. (Some of these are free to a certain amount of storage.) You will want to research your best option and proceed with the directions of that software.

* Note: New methods exist for directly downloading Mp3 files onto handheld devices like notepads, iPads, and Smartphones. However, it will require research to find apps that work with your devices to decompress .zip files. (The best search method is through your app store with the words “Decompress files”.)

If you have attempted these download directions and still have trouble, please email Lisa, our technical assistant, at magnifiedweb@gmail.com.  When download mishaps occur, we are happy to regenerate expired attempts to allow you to enjoy your products!

DIRECTIONS FOR DOWNLOADING PDF, MOBI, and EPUB FILES

What are PDF, MOBI, and EPUB files?

PDF, MOBI, and EPUB are all downloadable electronic files we offer at The Mystery of History Inc. under a single family license. (Coops and classrooms require a different license through Bright Ideas Press.)

  1. PDF stands for “Portable Document Format.” Invented by Adobe and supported by Adobe Reader (a free software), PDFs are generally easy to print. For that reason, several of our products are offered as a “downloadable PDF” that you can store on your computer, print at home for your family, or view from any electronic device. These files are delivered through the email you provide us at payment. (Sharing these files outside of your family violates our single-family license.) The PDFs we offer include:
    • Bright Ideas Press Supplemental Products (Challenge Cards, Coloring Pages, Notebooking Pages, and Folderbooks.
    • These are sold individually or as a collection for each of our four volumes.)
    • The Mystery of History Volume II Cookbook
    • The Mystery of History Companion Guides (sold separately or bundled with a Student Reader, depending on the edition)
    • WonderMaps

      TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS FOR PDFS:
      • If you are asked for a password to open one of our PDFs, your computer is probably trying to open the PDF with something other than Adobe Reader. (You don’t need a password for our files!) To avoid this issue, download the most current version of Adobe Reader (https://get.adobe.com/reader) also called “Acrobat Reader.” (We suggest the “free” version; there’s no need for the pro version to operate our files.) Once installed, open the PDF file from within Adobe Reader. If you are asked if you want Adobe Reader to be your default PDF viewer, we recommend you say “yes.”
      • If your files appear incomplete, follow the steps above to make sure you open them in Adobe Reader (not “Preview” on a MAC.) Large files and collections of files may require you to click on one of the buttons on the home screen to select the page you need.
      • You can find more help for Acrobat Reader on Adobe’s website here:
        https://helpx.adobe.com/support/reader.html

  2. MOBI and EPUB – Both .mobi files and .epub files are popular formats for e-books. If you purchase an e-book from us, you will receive multiple files. The Companion Guide is a downloadable PDF file requiring a free current version of Adobe, as described above. The Student Reader comes in both .mobi and .epub files to give you more than one way to view them. Both files are common, but the lists below may help you determine which file you want to download to operate our Student Reader e-books. The e-books we currently offer (with more in progress) include:
    • The Mystery of History Volume I Second Edition
    • The Mystery of History Volume II

      MOBI supports: Amazon Kindle and Kindle Fire Devices; the Kindle app available on Mac, PC, Android, and iOS devices; several other smaller eReader apps and devices.
      EPUB supports: The Kindle family of apps and devices; The Barnes & Noble Nook family of apps and devices; Adobe Digital Editions eReader; most other eReader apps and devices.

      TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS for MOBI and EPUB:
      • Purchasing an e-book from us does not automatically make the book appear on your apps or devices. Follow your eReader’s instructions on how to add a book to your library.
      • Due to the electronic nature of e-books, they will NOT look exactly like the printed pages of our textbooks and are not designed for printing or sharing. (Sharing these files outside of your family violates our single-family license.)
      • If you are having trouble with your device, the best way to find support is to Google your device’s name with the words “support” or “help.” Or, contact Bright Ideas Press for technical support.