Creating sitemap.xml and sitemap.xml.gz for google sitemap plugin

I searched all around for information related to making these files, but have not really found something explaining how to create these files.

For the sitemap.xml I found a resource that said open a notepad file and save the file like so: "sitemap.xml" . I did this and I have what appears to be a .xml file on my desktop, but when I open it the file says, The XML page cannot be displayed
Cannot view XML input using style sheet. Please correct the error and then click the Refresh button, or try again later.

Does this mean that the .xml is not formatted properly to load into my blog directory?
If anyone could explain to me how to convert the sitemap .xml file to a gzip. I downloaded gnuwin32 and I am not sure how to use it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

You don't need to create the files, the plugin automatically creates the files for you

 

???????? Since recently, I have been reading all these tutorials and people are saying you need to create these files. I am not being confrontational, maybe these tutorials are old, but are you sure?

 

get the sitemap from xml-sitemaps.com then upload it to your public_html folder
upload both of them... then go to the plugin and click on rebuild
should work fine

 

no problem, I'm 100% sure...
I install the plugin for my clients and myself all the time
the plugin I use I got from here,

http://www.arnebrachhold.de/redir/sitemap-home/

 

just upload this blank sitemap.xml then install the plugin above to your wordpress blog then click generate sitemap,
well, upload of the file failed,
anyway open notepad, file save as, choose all files, and ANSI click okay then upload

 

if u have wordpress there is plugins that created automatic for you