Download Accelerators

[mismis29]

I was wondering if anyone can suggest a good download accelerator? I'm on dial-up (average connection speed is 48.0 kbps). Most downloads don't take too long, but some do (i.e. Windows XP SP2!).

Thanx a bunch :)

[dangitall]

I expect that this thread'll get moved over to General Software pretty soon but, here goes:

I use DownloadExpress from Metaproducts (here (http://www.metaproducts.com/mp/mpProducts_Downloads_Current.asp)). Simple, works well and, best of all, FREE!

[mismis29]

Thanx for the suggestion ;D

No problem if it's moved. ;)

[snapdragin]

As dangitall suspected, yep - thread moved from General Topics to GeneralSoftware & Services forum. ;)

Regards,

snap

[dangitall]

If you download this, you will receive the full, paid version as a trial for thirty days. After the trial period expires, the free version remains, with no loss of functionality.

[TimeKeeper]

You may want to check out this link to ratings done on download managers by Patrick Kolla (creator of Spybot) http://www.safer-networking.org/en/articles/download-managers.html

I am currently using his top pick Leechget (free version), but i'm now looking into this also free download manager (i first saw it posted on dslreports) it looks like another winner, but i have not yet tried it. Everyone who did at dslreports said it was very good though. http://www.freedownloadmanager.org

Hth. :)

[Arin]

i used FreshDownload and its good. you can get it from www.freshdevices.com contains no spywares no adwares or artificial flavour.

[Pigman]

I doubt that download accelerators would do much for someone with a dialup connection.

[MikeBCda]

-{ Quote: "I doubt that download accelerators would do much for someone with a dialup connection." }-

Actually my quite good ISP likes them. They've got a smallish FTP "library" for members, and are currently playing with several accelerators with an eye to adding one or more to the collection.

[dangitall]

-{ Quote: "I doubt that download accelerators would do much for someone with a dialup connection." }-

When I was using dial-up:

NAV update w/o DownloadExpress ... approx. 20 minutes
NAV update w/ DownloadExpress ... approx. 10 minutes

[TimeKeeper]

Well, i'm still on dialup and i just tested my download manager. First i tried downloading a 5mb program (eScan anti-virus toolkit utility) with just Firefox, and it took slightly over 20 mins. Then i tried with my download manager Leechget 2004 and it took 20 mins. There may have been 1 minute max difference in download time, the download manager being approx 1 minute faster, but that's pushing it a bit.

I think i'll install Download Express and possibly Star Downloader and see if there is any difference. But somehow i doubt there will be.

[Peaches4U]

recommended as clean and safe .. DOWNLOAD ACCELERATOR PLUS - www.downloadaccelerator.com - it can speed up ur downloads up to 300% for certain file types. check it out. :)

[the Tester]

I use Star Downloader free.

Does it make a lot of difference?
I have had mixed results on dialup.

Star Downloader does work very well with Opera and Firefox for me.
Fresh Download didn't integrate with both of these browsers as well.

[Peaches4U]

some sites, i read somewhere, do not permit downloads using an accelerator - something to do with bandwidth. ???

[Paranoid2000]

One point worth mentioning - many accelerators work by using multiple connections. While this can be of benefit in some cases (like where a specific server is congested), each connection has a communications overhead (so using too many may make things slower overall for dialup users) and some sites (like Home of the Underdogs (http://www.the-underdogs.org/), detailed in their FAQ (http://www.the-underdogs.org/faq.php#c6)) will ban IP addresses attempting multiple connections (each connection consumes resources on their server).

In other words, avoid download managers that always use this feature without giving you the chance to disable it.

[Arin]

the main advantage of download manager is the ability to resume the download from the point it was disconnected. this comes very handy when you are stuck with a dial-up.

[TimeKeeper]

But the problem with the resume function is it will only work on certain sites, And i have tested many, with no success.

I have tested resuming a broken download with Firefox, IE, and Leeechget without any success so far.

IMHO there is really not much difference between doing a download with IE/firefox, and a download manager. Using a download manager MAY help sometimes, but i have yet to encounter a situtation where it really made any difference.

So without any significant difference in download times, and rarely if ever any ability to resume a broken download, leads me to the conclusion that download managers are nearly a complete waste of time to use.

I would say if more sites had the resume download ability, then that alone would make a download manager worth using (for dial up users), but where are all these sites, i haven't found many yet.

[gerardwil]

-{ Quote: "recommended as clean and safe .. DOWNLOAD ACCELERATOR PLUS - www.downloadaccelerator.com (http://www.downloadaccelerator.com) - it can speed up ur downloads up to 300% for certain file types. check it out. :)" }-

From the publisher:
This software is ad-supported and may install components that use your Internet connection to serve ads or track your Web-surfing habits.

I used this one for a while when I wasnt connected with DSL but on dialup, it even slows then my downloads.

[mercurie]

-{ Quote: "
From the publisher:
This software is ad-supported and may install components that use your Internet connection to serve ads or track your Web-surfing habits.

I used this one for a while when I wasnt connected with DSL but on dialup, it even slows then my downloads." }-

Looks like my policy for these is sound avoid them like moldie bread or you might get sick. Your machine sure could. :'(

[TimeKeeper]

Can someone list some good sites that support the resume download function in download managers. Majorgeeks.com (one of my favorite download sites) and download.com don't. Know any other similar (trustable and safe) types of sites that do? Thanks.

[Rita]

-{ Quote: "I doubt that download accelerators would do much for someone with a dialup connection." }-
they didnt do any good for me.

[bigc73542]

When I used dialup I tried several download accelerators and didn't notice any difference in download speed. at the time my connection speed was 50kbs.

[iceni60]

-{ Quote: "and some sites (like Home of the Underdogs (http://www.the-underdogs.org/), detailed in their FAQ (http://www.the-underdogs.org/faq.php#c6)) will ban IP addresses attempting multiple connections (each connection consumes resources on their server).

" }-
which download manager/s can you use at the-underdogs?

[Paranoid2000]

-{ Quote: "which download manager/s can you use at the-underdogs?" }-They mention GetRight but any download manager that (a) handles referrers properly and (b) does not attempt segmented downloads by default should work.

[mismis29]

Hi everyone :)

I haven't been here in awhile since I haven't had any problems lately(thank goodness!) I have finally upgraded my internet connection to DSL, which gives me a better experience than dial-up. Although my downloads are much faster, they still take a little too long for my taste. I'm not looking for "instant" downloads, mind you, but I'm just looking for a little boost.

I have tried many download managers :

*Download Accelerator Plus
*LeechGet
*Lightning Download
*Internet Download Manager
I found that IDM is better than the others that I have tried, but I was wondering if there may be better programs out there.

I was thinking about trying DownloadStudio, or perhaps FreshDownload.

Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks ;)

[TylerGred]

I want one that works with Mozilla.

[Ailric]

Free Download Manager, works with IE, FF, NS and Opera. Very nice, similar to Flashget and Mass Downloader.
http://www.freedownloadmanager.org/

WellGet seems pretty nice too.
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/Download-Managers/WellGet.shtml

[clansman77]

yes very good download manager
freedownloadmanager
it boasts of features even some paid ones lack off..

[clansman77]

mismis 29 i doubt whether you will get a speed increase than what you got with idm..imho its the fastest one..i have tried loads of download managers and for sheer speed idm is the best..but it lacks other features...

[mismis29]

Clansman: I agree that IDM is quite good. One thing I do like about it, is that it has browser integration. I also enjoy the right-click feature that gives you the options of either downloading one link or all links on a page.

I am always cautious about using so-called "freeware" ( i.e Free Download Manager), just because there is always a risk that it contains adware/spyware.

I suppose I should just purchase IDM, but I wanted to try some others before deciding.

Anyway, thanks everyone for all of your suggestions. ;D

[Ailric]

No spyware in FDM or WellGet.

[Arup]

Have been using FDM for months, there is absolutely no spyware in it.

[mismis29]

>:( Well, I've been trying out FreshDownload, and I have to say that I really don't like it at all.

I specify a folder in which I want my download to go, and I've found that FreshDownload does not put it where I want it to go. In fact, 99% of the time, the download can't be found anywhere! Also, I find that if my download does happen to make it into the folder that I specify, when I delete the completed download from the FreshDownload window, the actual file that I just downloaded is also deleted from the folder! It is extremely frustrating when this happens, especially after waiting 3-4 hrs for 289MB file to download, and have it completely disappear!! The only trace of anything that I download with FreshDownload, is in the temp folder of FreshDownload; these files are only the bits and pieces of each download.

Anyway, with all of that said, I really don't like this download manager, and would not recommend it to anyone.

Sorry.

[AXIS]

how abt flash get
i need a Download Accelerator tht iz easy 2 use fast & takes a ltl meomry from pc
bye axis

[yousif]

Im yousif I went Download

[yousif]

Im yousif ali Im 11

[The Usual Suspect]

umm.....

moderator action should follow.... good funny spam. Havent seen this in ages. So many boards are 'perfectly normal' these days.

Download managers.

GetRight : Suspected spyware

Download Accelerator : Proper spyware

neither is actually freeware.

the best of the bunch, if one were to see features/ease of use/smarts/UI/everything...

Free Download Manager.

WHY? Download a version and find out... no better explanation than an engineer's... don't worry HOW it works, you just make sure that it DOES work.

note: There was ONE spyware bundled version ONCE. The immense negative feedback forced the Developers to retract it and NO SPYWARE HAS RESURFACED.

Also, there is a small banner on the top right exhorting you to get custom builds. Click on it. Promote yourself.

About the others... MOST are either *infested* or shareware. FDM is the best of the bunch right now. just like HTTrack is the best website copier and beats even the Pro/enterprise/whatver versions of SOO many famed website copiers :)

[TNT]

-{ Quote: "GetRight : Suspected spyware" }-Are you sure about this? I've never heard of it including spyware.
-{ Quote: "Download Accelerator : Proper spyware" }-Yes, this one has been including spyware for some time. Don't know about now, but I definitely wouldn't use it.

[The Usual Suspect]

-{ Quote: "Are you sure about this? I've never heard of it including spyware.
Yes, this one has been including spyware for some time. Don't know about now, but I definitely wouldn't use it." }-
So sure it hurts. Getright isn't really made for helping users IMO. The clunky UI just puts me off.

BTW. Despite it's claims in the 'Options' area, FDM will not work with Opera. Probably there is a couple of steps to be followed, but then again, Opera's download manager is good enough for me.

and a PS about FDM:- read all the 'options' screens twice or thrice. and also, try to change the 'downloaded file' path of ONE file AFTER you have copmpleted downloading it ;)

and a warning... if your downloads list beomes too large (500+) and you don't clean it up... don't blame anyone if FDM crashes and your entire download history is lost. It's an issue, yes, but it's easily workable. Delete all entries of completed downloads. You've been forewarned.

[Nick Rhodes]

Another vote for Free Download Manager. I went through trying many free ones and found it to be the neatest, easiest to use, but the slick UI does it for me other anything else, as nearly I have the basic features require.

[ghodgson]

I have been using 'Download Express' for a couple of years now, which works ok, simple to use, 100% free and no spyware. Dont know if it works with Firefox though, as I use IE.

[Don Pelotas]

-{ Quote: "Are you sure about this? I've never heard of it including spyware.
" }-
This is their No Spyware statement.:)
-{ Quote: "GetRight®

It is a privilege that you use my software on your computer. Thank you.
I have worked very hard to ensure that GetRight is a high-quality, useful product: one that I would want to use on my own computer if someone else had written it.
In much earlier versions, I had tried different ways with GetRight to make money and to compete with some of the similar programs: showing banner ads and having the option for extra bundled software in the installer.
But no more. And not for a long time.
The banner ads have been removed for a many years.

For versions of GetRight higher than 4.5e (including all 5.x versions):


GetRight contains absolutely no extra advertising add-ons or advertising systems of any kind.

GetRight contains no extra programs tagging along in its installer.

GetRight will not (and never has) send us any personal information about you or your computer without your knowledge.

GetRight will not connect to our web site(s) without your control and a reason useful for you. (Checking for a newer version and searching for mirrors for now.)

In return, I ask for your respect and honesty and support. Advertising and the other things I'm not going to do are how many other software companies make their money. Refusing these ways, we will only make money if you buy GetRight. I rely on and trust in you, the people who use my software, to do the right thing and purchase it.

--Michael Burford
Programmer of GetRight " }-

[The Usual Suspect]

-{ Quote: "This is their No Spyware statement.:)" }-
There ya go... :)
I stand corrected [ I seriously hope ].

Haven't used this in a while, so I guess I won't say anything more than what I said before. I think I'll just say FDM is good enough for me.

Tried. Tested. Works.

Just make a shortlist and give all of them a trial. Who knows, maybe you'll like Download Acceleretor Plus of all things :O