First off, if you go to
THIS topic and scroll down a bit, you'll find that the person who's getting these items for us actually posted another batch (the one you posted is his first batch) of items.
I wouldn't say it's super important to know what ZIP and RAR is when you're downloading the files, but ZIP is just a file format that compresses whatever data you're trying to send, which is useful when you're trying to share a whole ton of download files. When you download this ZIP folder of files, you'll see that when you extract the files (so remember to do that once you download the ZIP file...just go up to the window with the ZIP file after downloading it, click on "file," I think it is, and then click on "extract files"...or else you won't be able to access the files), there will be many, many files in that ZIP folder. Imagine if you were trying to send someone that amount of files in a normal folder; it would be too bulky. That's why there is a ZIP file format to sort of squish everything down to a smaller size to send easier. RAR is just another file format similar to ZIP; you may need a different program (I use
7-Zip because it's free) to extract the files. That's probably the simplest way I can explain it but if you still don't get it, I don't blame you.
1. To get the downloads onto your computer, you need to download the "4 25 2011" file that you found (you would do the same when clicking on the link for the second batch) by clicking "download." Since it's a RAR file, you first need to make sure that you have a program installed on your computer that will open and extract those files for you. That goes back to my spiel about 7-Zip. Once you've downloaded and open the "4 25 2011" file, click "extract" up at the top, select a location you'd like to extract the files to (I recommend setting up some sort of "Tamagotchi iD L downloads" folder somewhere on your computer beforehand so you can save the files there in an organized fashion after extracting), and then you're good. They should be in a folder on your computer now.
2. For computer to phone, you need to make sure that you have some sort of data cable that comes with your IR phone. If you're looking for phones on Ebay, that shouldn't be a problem. Even if your phone doesn't come with a data cable, there are inexpensive ones on Ebay. I recommend searching "Palm Treo" (a type of compatible phone that has IR, one that I use) and look for ones that come with cables and stuff (you'll see it in the listing), just to make it easier. When you have that cable, it hooks to your phone and then you would hook the other end to the USB port in your computer (it looks kind of like a small, rectangular opening...if you're using a laptop, look around the sides for it and if you're using a desktop, there's usually some USB ports in the front of your desktop tower). When you hook your phone up to the computer, you should see your phone pop up on your computer when you go to "My Computer" and when you click on your phone, there should be folders and stuff where you can store pictures (which are essentially what the iD L downloads are). After that, you just drag the files from your computer to the folder on your phone. The downloads should be stored on your phone now.
3. To send the files from phone to iD L: it depends on the phone you use but on the Palm Treo, you would just select the download you want to send on your phone and there's usually an option to "beam" the file over to your iD L. No equipment needed, just your phone and your iD L. When beaming the file over, go to the connection icon on your iD L, select the 4th option, make sure your IR ports on your phone and iD L are lined up, and then select "beam" on your phone. Your iD L should pick it up.
4. I don't think you need anything extra for your phone. The only thing I can think of is that you might need to install drivers onto your computer for your phone in order for your phone to register on your computer. If your phone doesn't come with the software to do that, you can just Google the software. That's how I found mine. No biggie.
5. Once you've beamed a file to your iD L, you'll see on your iD L where it's being "stored." If you just downloaded a new wallpaper, for example, you'll see an animation that your Tamagotchi is getting a gift in front of the Interior Shop. Usually it's like this: wallpapers go to the interior shop, clothes and accessories go to Tama Mori, and food goes to the Restaurant. When you scroll around for these items, the downloaded ones are usually the first ones listed, and there's a pink heart in the corner of the screen to tell you that it's a download. On a related note, click
HERE to find out what the max download storage is on the iD L, just so that you know.
Good questions! I'm afraid my answers are quite lengthy though and I hope you're not too put off by that.
I didn't know my way around the downloads and stuff at first either, but I kind of learned how to do things on my own by experimentation, reading a ton about what others do, and lots of Googling. There's nothing like doing it and seeing it for yourself. I hope this helps out a bit. Please let me know if you have any more questions and I'll do my best to answer!