Hello,
A Download manager has several purposes, and one or all may be working for you depending upon what you are doing.
If you have a dialup connection, you can have the download manager split the download into multiple 'streams' which maximizes the use of your bandwidth, resulting in a faster download as compared with a single stream. (you can do this if you have a highspeed connection as well...it will just probably be most noticeable when used with a dialup connection)
In a case such as in these Vatican pages where you have multiple mp3 files on a single web page, you can have a right-click option where you can click your right mouse button while on such a page and select "download all", which allows you to download all files on the page, one after another or in groups, the size of which you specify.
If you're working with a dialup connection and you lose the connection, the download manager makes resuming your download easy....you don't have to start over from the beginning. This is great for very large files as well as multiple files.
You can also 'start all' pause all and resume all when you have selected multiple files. It's a tremendously convenient time-saving accessory to have if you download a lot of files or programs.
Here is an excerpt from the owner's manual of Flashget, which may provide some additional information:
What is FlashGet?
FlashGet is specifically designed to address two of the biggest problems when downloading files: Speed and management of downloaded files.
If you've ever waited forever for your files to download from a slow connection, or been cut off midway through a download - or just can't keep track of your ever-growing downloads - FlashGet is for you. FlashGet can split downloaded files into sections, downloading each section simultaneously, for an increase in downloading speed from 100% to 500%. This, coupled with FlashGet's powerful and easy-to-use management features, helps you take control of your downloads like never before.
Speed
FlashGet can automatically split files into sections or splits, and download each split simultaneously. Multiple connections are opened to each file, and the result is the the most efficient exploitation of the bandwidth available. Whatever your connection, FlashGet makes sure all of the bandwidth is utilized. Difficult, slow downloads that normally take ages are handled with ease. Download times are drastically reduced.
Management
FlashGet is capable of creating unlimited numbers of categories for your files. Download jobs can be placed in specifically-named categories for quick and easy access. The powerful and easy-to-use management features in FlashGet help you take control of your downloads easily.
Highlights
Speed. The ability to split files into up to 10 parts, with each part downloading simultaneously. Up to 8 different simultaneous download jobs. FlashGet just might be the fastest download software around!
Organize. Categorize files with FlashGet's integrated & simple-yet-powerful file management features before your files engulf you!
Mirror search. Automatically search for the fastest server available for the fastest possible downloads.
Automatically have FlashGet dial up, hang up & shut down the computer when you're not around!
Schedule to download files whenever you feel! Whether it's while you snooze or during off-peak periods, certain times each weekday, weekend or whatever. The choice is yours!
Manage your copious downloaded files with FlashGet's simple yet powerful user interface.
Automate your FlashGet downloads with a browser click! Supports Internet Explorer, Netscape and Opera* web browsers. *with freely downloadable plug-in.
Superior ease-of-use. FlashGet's interface is logical, integrated, informative and customizable.
Queue your downloads with FlashGet's logical queueing system.
Control the download speed limit so that downloading files doesn't interfere with your web browsing!
Easily see any aspect of your downloads at a glance. Whether it be server status messages, monitoring splits, amount downloaded, time left...whatever! No excessive clicking into multiple open windows to see what's going on!
Customize the the FlashGet toolbar and user interface, including the Graph and log window colors.
Support for proxy servers for maximum downloading flexibility.
Speak your language with FlashGet's auto-select language capabilities (20+ selectable languages available).
Check for FlashGet updates from within FlashGet.
Monitor your download progress, server status messages and download splits graphically with the easiest, most functional user interface around!
+ much, much more! |
I hope that this will be of some help. Please let me know if I should explain something further or if you need more information.