Download manager 1

Download manager
A download manager is a computer program dedicated to the task of downloading (and sometimes uploading)
possibly unrelated stand-alone files from (and sometimes to) the Internet for storage. This is unlike a World Wide
Web browser, which is mainly intended to browse web pages, composed of a multitude of smaller files, where
error-free moving of files for permanent storage is of secondary importance. (A failed or incomplete web page file
rarely ruins the page.) The typical download manager at a minimum provides means to recover from errors without
losing the work already completed, and can optionally split the file to be downloaded (or uploaded) into 2 or more
segments, which are then moved in parallel, potentially making the process faster within the limits of the available
bandwidth. (A few servers are known to block moving files in parallel segments, on the principle that server capacity
should be shared equally by all users.) Multi-source is the name given to files that are downloaded in parallel.

Features
Download managers commonly include one or more of the following features:
• Pausing the downloading of large files.
• Resuming broken or paused downloads (especially for very large files).
• Downloading files on poor connections.
• Downloading several files from a site automatically according to simple rules (file types, updated files, etc. - see
also Offline Browser).
• Automatic recursive downloads (mirroring).
• Scheduled downloads (including, automatic hang-up and shutdown).
• Searching for mirror sites, and the handling of different connections to download the same file more quickly
(segmented downloading).
• Variable bandwidth usage.
• Automatic subfolder generation.
Download managers are useful for very active Internet users. For dial-up users, they can automatically dial the
Internet Service Provider at night, when rates or tariffs are usually much lower, download the specified files, and
hang-up. They can record which links the user clicks on during the day, and queue these files for later download. For
broadband users, download managers can help download very large files by resuming broken downloads, by limiting
the bandwidth used, so that other internet activities are not affected (slowed) and the server is not overloaded, or by
automatically navigating a site and downloading pre-specified content (photo galleries, MP3 collections, etc.) this
can also include automatically downloading whole sites and regularly updating them (see Mirroring).
Many download managers support Metalink, an XML file listing mirrors, checksums, and other information useful
for downloading.

Adware
Download managers, such as Go!Zilla, were among the first adware applications displaying a banner ad in the user
interface. Adobe Download Manager is now exhibiting this same feature, while installing such software as Adobe
Acrobat.

Related applications
Related to download managers are two other breeds of Internet programs, file-sharing peer-to-peer applications
(eMule, BitTorrent, Gnutella) and stream recorders (such as StreamBox VCR).
Download manager 2

While download managers are designed to give users greater control over downloads, some downloaders are created
to give that control to content distributors instead. Some software companies, for example Adobe [1], provide such
downloaders for downloading software on their own site. Presumably this increases reliability and reduces their
technical support costs. A possible reason is increasing the control over redistribution of their software (even when
the software is freeware).

See also
• Comparison of download managers
• Offline browsing

External links
• DMOZ download managers listing [2]

References
[1] http:/ / www. adobe. com/ products/ acrobat/ acrrmanager. html
[2] http:/ / www. dmoz. org/ Computers/ Software/ Shareware/ Windows/ Internet/ Download_Managers/
Article Sources and Contributors 3

Article Sources and Contributors

Download manager  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=392708469  Contributors: 16@r, Abkovalenko, Aeon17x, Allstarecho, Alro, Andreas Toth, Antini, Aqwis, AxelBoldt,
BKmetic, Badly Bradley, Barek, Beetstra, Bobrayner, Bold Pilot, Bold Vier, Bongwarrior, Boredzo, Bostwickenator, Brianjd, CONFIQ, Camw, Can't sleep, clown will eat me, Commander,
CosineKitty, Danroa, Discospinster, DocWatson42, Dysprosia, E. Sn0 =31337=, Eastlaw, Enauspeaker, Everyking, Evil saltine, Haakon, Hadal, Harryboyles, Haruth, Hephaestos, Holek,
Indefual, J. M., Jfdwolff, Josh Parris, Kevin Whalen, L337p4wn, M1ss1ontomars2k4, MMuzammils, Meelar, Miami33139, Michel BUZE, Minghong, NOSSO, NickShaforostoff, Nikai,
Notinasnaid, Nysin, Octahedron80, P30Carl, Paddu, Paranoid, Phoenix-forgotten, Quinsareth, RedWolf, RevolverOcelotX, ST47, SchfiftyThree, Secfan, Shakafish, ShaunMacPherson, Thingg,
Thumperward, TitaniumLizzard, Totti, W.F.Galway, WhyBeNormal, Will2k, Wuyanhuiyishi, Ykhwong, Zundark, 100 anonymous edits

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