This article was written by Zhao Bin, e-mail: lionbin@263.net. I sould notice that Mass Downloader 1.1 build 18 is an old version of the program and contains several bugs. I am working now on the new shareware version of MD. It will include many necessary and useful features, like FTP support, browser clicks catching, download queue, download map, speed histogram, etc. I'll try to make it more powerful and easy-to-use. If you want to receive notification about new MD releases please subscribe to MD mailing list by sending me an empty e-mail message with subject "Mass Downloader news". See also Note Bene on the Mass Downloader home page.

The original article is placed at http://www.cpcw.com/issue/1999/06/99062804.htm.
English translation of this article:

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Mass Downloader --- A more powerful download software than "NetAnt" (Note: NetAnt is a chinese software which can download file as Mass Downloader)

It's a very boring thing downloading file from internet. I have used many download software before, but I dont't feel satisfied about them, especially as the network is jamming, downloading files almost become a nightmare. Only when I find the software Mass Downloader 1.1 and use it for some times, all above is being the past, I think it's the best download tool which I finded all the while.

You can descry the characteristic of software from its name. If you regard the "Mass" as a single word, we can consider "mass" as "a block and a block". Really? Yes, it is that. In fact, the meaning of the word "mass" is "Multiple Access Switching System". (Note: This is myself view.) This software can divide integrated download process into several connections, one connection controls one block task, and all the task download one file at the same time. If one connection halts unexpectedly, which couldn't affect the other connections and the whole download process isn't disturbed. Moreover, the interruptive connection will be re-connected immediately, which continues downloading the leavings of the block from the break point, which obviously downloads fast than one connection. For example,If you want download a file size 1M, Mass Downloader will dissect the file into 10 blocks, each 56tblock size is about 100k, the download speed is improved doublely. From this hand, Mass Downloader is very like the "NetAnts", but MassDownloader has more connection number in the same time, and you can set the connection number and the block size as your will (Note: but now I think this function has problem.).

I made a download test using three software (Getright, NetAnt and MassDownloader) to download the same file in the same location at the same time. The result is: Mass Downloader used 25 seconds, NetAnts is 56s and GetRight is 97s.

The entire MassDownloader includes only one file, which needn't be installed. You can copy it anywhere you want. I like such not-need-installed or free-installed software! Besides the most formidable download ability, MassDownload hasbe many additional functions. For example, It supports HTTP and FTP protocol(Note: but now I think MassDownload doesn't support FTP protocol.), support re-download from break point, user can stop a running job at any time and resume it later, support clipboard monitor --- monitor browser copy shortcut and any URL from word processor, support proxy service(include HTTP proxy and SOCKS4 proxy).

The interface of the software is very simple, you can use it without any additional setup. Not believe me? You can download one to try. The last version of MassDownloader is 1.1 builds 18, size 274K only. The version has no limition, you can use it at ease forever. The URL of download is:

http://www.saransk.sitek.net/pages/arny/

If you have some questions as you use the software, you can contact me by the address: lionbin@263.net.

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