Download managers

[Dan Kaplan]

I was looking around cgi.resourceindex.com for a download manager that sends out an authorized download link, either temporary or limitable.[nbsp][nbsp]I found one that looks quite good:

Download Master
http://imchat.com/dm.shtml

It seems to work well.[nbsp][nbsp]I'm curious if anyone has used it?[nbsp][nbsp]Since you have to pay before downloading it (fitting), there's no way of looking at and trying the file, although it's only $25, so it wouldn't be a big loss if there were problems setting it up...

Are there any other good options?[nbsp][nbsp]I only saw one other that decribes itself as limiting downloads with a temporary link/key, but the download page didn't exist (ironic).[nbsp][nbsp]All the others looked to just count the number of downloads.

Thanks,
Download

[This message has been edited by Dan Kaplan (edited 05-12-00@10:05 pm)]

[Justin]

I don't have any advice - but I am laughing at the fact that you have to purchase access to the first one, and the second one won't let you download...

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Justin Nelson
FutureQuest (http://www.FutureQuest.net/index.php) Support

[Dan Kaplan]

Yeah, I was able to get a good chuckle out of that irony, too.

Dichotomy

[imchat]

There is no download page for DMaster, changed the name, and I can't say anything about the other one as I don't know the program. DM is only available through purchase and is fully supported, ie; I haven't had anyone complain with the program yet and I do installs on servers that are stubborn.

The link that is sent via email generates a standard save dialog box for the file. No page is displayed to the user but they get the file download and the link immediately expires. The reason is that you can't send a location and an html header at the same time. Its one or the other, and html headers give away their location to the user.

There is a demo on my site that shows the basic capabilities of the system. Along with sending the secure download to the user, it also has the added benefit of capturing the confirmed email address of the downloader and I am in the process of adding email capabilities to it so that users can be contacted about file upgrades etc.

DMaster is now in use at several e-book retailer sites and sites that charge for file downloads. A generic shopping cart plugin is also available that generates the download links after credit card confirmation so you don't have to purchase another shopping cart system.

BTW, I got the link to this board from someone that visited my site from here and thought I'd check it out.

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Perl/CGI Development
[This message has been edited by imchat (edited 05-13-00@12:50 pm)]

[Dan Kaplan]

Wow, I've got to carful what I say around here.[nbsp][nbsp]That's the second time I've commented on a program and the author/owner has ended up reading it![nbsp][nbsp]:)

I think there was a misunderstanding there.[nbsp][nbsp]I wasn't saying your download page doesn't work.[nbsp][nbsp]It was another, apparently similar, script at cgi-resources that had that problem.[nbsp][nbsp]The demo for yours worked flawlessly.

I am curious however, if there are limitations to allowable file extensions and whether they are viewed, downloaded, or both?[nbsp][nbsp]Can it be set up to allow downloads of "all" the different file extensions through a single form?[nbsp][nbsp]Why was an upgrade needed to handle .pdf's and what other issues are there with less common file types?[nbsp][nbsp]Those are areas where I'd be more comfortable trying a product if I could either install a demo (honor system) or view a readme file.
DMaster, changed the name. Not that I don't believe you, but it couldn't hurt to also change the site references to reflect the new name.[nbsp][nbsp];)

Thanks for dropping by!
Dan

p.s.[nbsp][nbsp]I don't expect you'd pick up on it in one short visit, but much of what I say here has more than its share of sarcasm, especially when it comes to back-and-forths with Justin.

[imchat]

Wow, I've got to carful what I say around here.[nbsp][nbsp]That's the second time I've commented on a program and the author/owner has ended up reading it!
Us cgi programmers usually have good tracking programs. Want to put a smiley here but can't figure out how.

I am curious however, if there are limitations to allowable file extensions and whether they are viewed, downloaded, or both?[nbsp][nbsp]Can it be set up to allow downloads of "all" the different file extensions through a single form?[nbsp][nbsp]Why was an upgrade needed to handle .pdf's and what other issues are there with less common file types?[nbsp][nbsp]Those are areas where I'd be more comfortable trying a product if I could either install a demo (honor system) or view a readme file.
The limitations are with IE5, specifically in regards to pdf files. IE tries to guess content headers instead of just implementing mime headers. Mime is an internet standard that M$ didn't create and doesn't want to recognize. The upgrade to allow the viewing of pdf files is a very complicated way to do something that should have been easy to do, but IE5 kept not wanting to comply, although IE4 was pretty forgiving.

The only other file types you wouldn't want to use with this system is any type of html or text file because it will always give its location away. Rule of thumb is to stick to binary files if you want to keep the files location hidden.

I'm in the process of making demo's for Solaris, Linux, NT, and other Unices that will time out so that people can try before they buy, but it will probably be about a month before I'll have the time to get around to it. They have to be changed a little and then compiled into binaries for each system and my time is virtually non-existent. I guess I could put the readme up though.

Yes I know I have to change the name on the home page, and within the program, and at my purchasing site, blah,blah. Thats almost more work than creating the program! I'll get around to it soon. Cgi-resources just did the name change at their site and I was waiting for them to do that first.

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Perl/CGI Development
[This message has been edited by imchat (edited 05-13-00@1:11 pm)]