Select FILE, then SAVE AS, and save the file on either a disk or your hard drive using the original file name "usamap.gif".

Close the browser, then run any convenient paint program.  For Windows 98 users, select START, PROGRAMS, ACCESSORIES, then PAINT.

Select FILE, then OPEN.  Change  FILES OF TYPE  to  GRAPHICS INTERCHANGE FORMAT (*.gif).  Locate the file "usamap.gif" in the usual way, click on the file name, then select OPEN (or double click on the file name).

Select FILE, then SAVE AS.  Change  SAVE AS TYPE  to  24-BIT BITMAP (*.bmp), then SAVE on either a disk or your hard drive.  The revised file name will be "usamap.bmp".  [This file can be used immediately with the paint program or opened when you (or your students) are ready to access it.]

Select your map color(s) by accessing the palette at the bottom of the paint screen, then fill the various states with the PAINT BUCKET tool in the usual way.  States having a common border (other than a point) must be assigned different colors.

Remember to use no more than four colors!  Make sure that EACH AND EVERY state of one of the four colors is completely surrounded by states of another color - otherwise, you would require a fifth color for the area surrounding the map of the 48 states.

Here is a sample coloring that uses only four colors.