They have some very valuable programs on them that you wont have to download over the internet. For example, as of today Oct 6th 1999, the current CDRoms you received have the Latest Microsoft Internet Explorer Version 5.0 on them. Both the Netscape Navigator and the Microsoft Internet Explorer are excellent Web Browsers. You'll be able to down load files for any type of computer system. The Usenet Newsgroups contain some of the best information on the internet.
All browsers can view and interact with newsgroups.
All these programs can be downloaded directly form these sites using your Web Browser. However there is a second way. This way is much older and is much faster. Most FTP programs look similar. It will take some education on your part to learn these programs.