File Transfers 101

• 1). Macs and PCs use the same Internet. If a PC file can be downloaded from the Internet, the Mac can download it the same way (and vice versa). It might not be able to play the file or edit it, but it can download it.
  
  
• 2). To transfer a file from your PC to a Mac user, the Internet can help you. Send the file to the File Transfer Protocol and put it on a web server for the Mac user to download, or even email it as an attachment. It's worth your time (and a lot of saved frustration) to find out what programs your Mac friend has, so you can send him a file he can use.
  
  
• 3). If both computers share a network, Macs can join (and see) Windows local area networks; put the file in a shared folder and the Mac user can download it there. This is useful in an office environment where you generally have faster connections than the Internet or if you don't want your files out on the Internet for even a moment.
  
  
• 4). If you have physical access to the Mac, transfer files by putting them on a USB thumb drive or by linking the Mac and PC via USB cables. The Mac can browse the PC's hard drive, copying files as needed.