Accelerating your downloads so you can save on time

Accelerating your downloads so you can save on time

By Vishnu K. Mahmud

JAKARTA (JP): Downloading files over the Internet is supposed
to be easy. All you have to do is click a hyperlink and presto!,
a digital copy of the file lands in your computer.

But with the high cost of telephone charges, web "time-outs"
(due to soaring net traffic) and poor or often broken net
connections, downloading large files (be it MP3s, presentation
documents or games) can be rather pricey.

And should the file transfer fail midway, you have to start
the download again from the beginning.

The solution is to upgrade to a broadband connection (not
available everywhere), download at off peak times (such as 3
a.m.) or use a download manager.

One popular shareware program that manages your downloads is
GetRight, (www.getright.com) which allows users to continue their
downloads should they be disconnected for any reason, be it a
dropped phone line or operating system crash.

GetRight is one of many software applications aimed at the
Internet community. Not only does it resume broken downloads,
but you can also schedule a time to connect to the Internet,
start retrieving the file, log off the phone connection and shut
down your computer automatically (depending on the motherboard of
your computer).

You can find others by entering "download manager" in
CNET.com's search engine.

Download Accelerator (www.speedbit.com) is another download
manager that has the same features as GetRight, with a
difference: it can download files faster. Using segmented
downloading, the program breaks up one file into many parts and
downloads those segments at the same time.

With this method, the program can theoretically use the web
connection more efficiently.

This will only work, however, on web servers that support
(read: allow) resuming downloads. Other factors also come into
the equation.

Your phone line or modem should be clear of line noise to
ensure multiple download streams are possible. Any line noise
will prompt the computer to reject the data and request the
server to resend it, causing longer download times.

If you have phone line problems (that is, if you pick up the
phone and hear static), contact your service provider and see
what can be done.

For users with older machines (such as a 486 or first-
generation Pentium computer), it may be a good idea to let the
computer download the file without using another application at
the same moment, thus freeing up memory, processor time and hard
disk access.

Active applications and operating system swap files usually
slow down a computer by accessing the hard drive.

Some download managers even work with Antivirus scanners to
ensure that the file you download is safe, once it is downloaded.
You should also consider the time of day and location of the
files for your download.

It may be faster in Jakarta to download at 6 a.m. but it would
be 6 p.m. in New York where the file originates from, which is
the Internet prime time there (and possibly slower connections).

There are a few things to remember, however.

Some programs now use adware, a payment system that
compensates for the "free" software by placing ads on a special
window in the program.

Users should be connected to the net to receive the ads and
must also fill out a demographics form so the company can
"target" their ads move effectively to your interests and needs.

Privacy advocates may cringe upon hearing this and as with any
other closed-sourced application, we have no idea what else that
program really does to our computer. Does it download our files
as well as send information to its creator details of our
Internet surfing habits?

In addition, some people may have a problem allowing computer
programs to dial up the Internet automatically or power down
their PC's on their own. Users should be diligent in allowing
which program full rights to dialing an outside line on their
computer since it may provide a backdoor for other unauthorized
programs.

There have been cases of people downloading programs to
accelerate their Internet connection (or to view certain dubious
websites) only to find out that the program disconnected their
net connection and reconnected to the web via an overseas
telephone number, thus racking up a high, long-distance bill.

As always with other programs, diligence is mandatory in
selecting a program. Draw on user reviews from CNET, ZDNET or
other computer sites and search engines to find out if the
program is above board and trustworthy.

These thoughts aside, these download managers are created to
help users and are worth the shareware price.

The writer is an IT consultant based in Jakarta. Questions?
Contact Vishnu at sundaypost@thejakartapost.com.