Will changing file names effect search engines info. How to tackle?

Should I keep the same names or redirect from old files?

[webtech]

Hi,
I am redesigning my web site and wanted to change old file names to more meaningful names for consistency and shortness.

1. How will this effect the search engines? (Google and some other search engines does bring my page upon searching)
2. Should I keep the old names and redirect using javascript.

Also I want to get better search results from different search engines... What is the best way to submit to search engines. I have seen good information on selfpromotion.com but didn't try yet? Any body has any experience with it.

Thanks for help

[jcoronella]

Just rename your files, change all the links internal to the site, and create 302 redirects from the old file name to the new. Don't do javascript redirects.

External deep links into your site cause some dillemas as you will eventually either want to convert those to a 302 or have the external source update their links (latter preferred).

As for submission, the best thing is to build incoming links from related sites and let the engines find you. There is no need to 'submit' sites to the major engines. Being in the index doesn't help you much without the boost of incoming links.