On Thu, 10 Aug 2000, Carver, Paul, NLSOP wrote:
> Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2000 09:32:01 -0400
> From: "Carver, Paul, NLSOP" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: RE: [expert] Download managers !
>
> What is a Download manager? I wasn't aware that downloading files was
> complex. FTP is pretty much a universal standard and there are plenty of
> Linux/Unix clients. Can you be more specific about what special features a
> Download manager provides?
>
A download manager is usually implemented as a cheap any easy form of
"spy-ware" on Mac and Win platforms. they claim to be free, and bloat up
your operating system. I've had my suspicions that they probably track
your web-viewing habits, and such, as they tightly integrate with your
browser.
What a download manager is supposed to do is support the FTP/HTTP resume
functionalities. Generally, this is done to let users of lesser operating
systems avoid re-downloading a large file after a connection is
broken. They make it in a way to feel idiot-proof.
Wget, a perfectly free program for *nix does essentially the same thing,
but does not require X or a GUI. It also has no ads, banners, and the
such, as well as consuming a tiny fraction of the memory and CPU that
download managers for Win/Mac require.
--
Regards,
Ellick Chan
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Aug 10
