I think the files are in the .7z format, so windows doesn't recognize it as a normal zip file. you would need a specific program to do it, i would suggest using 7-zip as it is free.
otherwise, welcome to the forum. this guide may help you: http://fractalsoftworks.com/forum/index.php?topic=11462.0
Hey, thanks for getting back at me. Yeah, it was a weird format thing, I figured it out and got mostly everything settled as far as downloading all the cool spiffy stuff I wanted that you folks work so hard on (thx so much 4 dis btw!!!). Its nice to be here, hello people!
I've been taking a look around and trying to familiarize myself with the game and the forum. I dunno where to ask about general help questions setting up all these new mods but I suppose asking you here is a good place to start:
I can't seem to get Java JRE stuff to run for any version other than the one that came with the original game and I don't want my weak ass lap top that's running this to crash (it probably can't even really handle this but.... vanilla was so awesome and I wanted more), so I could use an assist there.
Version checker is also saying BRDY and Dassault-Mik failed their update checks but I seem to be able to do stuff and see and be a part of them in game (I tested a start as each faction for about 20 minutes just to mess around and get a feel for which ships I liked best). So I dunno what that means.
But hello and hey there and thanks and its good to be here again!