Make downloading a snap with the help of these five tools
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Introduction
Introduction
Back in the day, we used to take advantage of downloadrnmanagers that would help overcome the slow speeds and get those multiplerndownloads onto a computer without having to take on an overnight babysittingrnjob. Since speeds are no longer a problem, are download utilities evenrnrelevant? Of course. Considering the volume of downloads we now do, it’s greatrnto have an app that can help keep them from getting lost, corrupt, or out ofrnhand.
But with today’s blazing network speeds and multiplernplatforms to manage, what tools are the best to have at the ready? I’ve listed fiverndownload utilities that might well make your daily download duties hassle free.rnLet’s check out these utilities and see if any are worth adding to your currentrnline up of networking tools.
Note: This gallery is also available as an article.
uGet
uGet
One uGet feature I particularly like is the ability torncreate download categories. A category allows you to set certain configurationrnoptions so you don’t have to always select a specific folder for ISO images,rnmusic, video, or documents. You can also set username/password for a category, onrnthe off chance a regular download requires authentication.
Chrono Download Manager
Chrono Download Manager
Once you’ve installed Chrono Download, it does take over asrnthe default download manager for Chrome. Like any good Chrome extension, ChronornDownload Manager also integrates into the desktop notification system (so yourncan remain updated on the status of the download). Chrono Download Managerrnworks on all platforms that support Chrome.
Advanced Download Manager
Advanced Download Manager
Beyond importing a list of downloads from a text file, you can enter arnsingle URL for downloading a file. You can also specify where the files arerndownloaded to. (By default they will reside in /storage/emulated/0/ADM.) Fromrnwithin the Settings | Downloads section you can specify the number of threadsrnADM can use as well as the speed of downloads and the minimum size of a thread.
DownThemAll (dTa)
DownThemAll (dTa)
The one caveat is that you can’t set a default downloadsrndirectory from within the dTa Preferences window—it will default to the Firefoxrnsetting. However, from within the dTa selection window (right-click and selectrnDownThemAll), you can set a directory that serves as the dTa default for both dTarnand 1-Click. You can change this location on a per-download basis, but onlyrnthrough the dTa selection window. I highly recommend doing this so you don’trnwind up with a lot of unwanted clutter in your default Downloads directory.rnDownloadThemAll works on all platforms that support Firefox.
FlashGet
FlashGet
One of my favorite FlashGet features is its integration withrnthe Windows clipboard. As soon as you copy a link from a browser, FlashGetrnopens so you can begin downloading that particular file. Surprisingly enough,rnthe interface for FlashGet is a bit out of date, though this does not, in anyrnway, alter the usability of the tool.
