downloading program needs improvement

[Questor9]

Just downloaded Simulator 12. There is no acknowledgement of selection to download which leaves user thinking nothing has happened after clicking on download tab. First reaction is to try the mirror site, which was done. Still no acknowledgement. Try again. Nothing! It was then I noticed the modem was flashing, so something was going on. Using resource monitor I could see data being exchanged. That is a relief, but just under an hour to load first part is far too long. Come to part 1b and the site wants me to log in again, very annoying.
Another hour passes as we download 1b. The same log in again for part 2a and passage of too much time. To make this shorter it took 4 hours to download all parts only to find at the end of the process that the computer could not find part 1a. The reason was that the file had another name due to the repeated attempts at the first step. So I searched the computer to find the file and give it the expected name and finally was able to be up an running with Simulator 12.

I wonder how many gave up and wanted their money back after they experienced the less than user friendly approach for downloading found here.

 

[CRO]

I recently downloaded TS12 and didn't experience any problems. Did you use a download manager as recommended on the download page? This made the downloads reasonably fast and efficiently considering the servers are in the USA and I'm down in Australia. I guess it depends on how fast your local internet connection was. peak and non peak times can also have a big difference on D/l speeds. My total download would have been at most half of yours.
Main thing, is you had the knowledge and patience to sort things out and get them up and running. Anyway, have a Merry Xmas and a happy New year

Cheers

Bob (CRO)

 

[shaneturner12]

Questor9, as mentioned by CRO, a download manager must be used to download the files, as most of them are ~1.5GB each. The recommended tool is Free Download Manager (FDM).

The download manager program should keep the connection open. If not, try clicking the Citizens Online option on the profile page. This will open a new window which automatically refreshes, which should keep you logged in.

This applies to any users who are downloading a digital download.

Shane

 

[oknotsen]

I downloaded TS12 2 days ago, so I guess thats recent experience.
This was my experience:

I downloaded 4 of the 5 parts at the same time during the first hour; 2 started from a mirror and 2 of the 'main' location. For number 5 I got a "to many people downloading atm" sort of message, so I waited till my 4 were ready and 3 minutes later downed the remaining in another hour.

So: It took me 2 hours to download the whole 6.something gigs, I had no problems at all and... I did NOT use a download manager.

a download manager must be used to download the files

It might be advised but it aint needed. Guess it depends on your connection, PC and time of day.

So... wild suggestion... have you tried without download manager, doing it the "hard core" way? You will get clear popups asking you if you want to download stuff, with what name and where. Sounds classic, but it might work .

Tiny detail: I did it while the rest of Europe was sleeping (1-3am CET), though I am pretty sure the US was still awake and Australia and Asia had woke up again.

 

[shaneturner12]

You were lucky then.

The reason a download manager must be used is because what happens if somehow your connection drops during the download? Without a download manager, this would mean having to redownload that file all over again.

Also, a download manager can do what a web browser cannot: download multiple parts of the file at the same time.

Shane

 

[oknotsen]

No offence intended

With the risk of this turning in a not intended discussion on the interpretation of a word, knowing that I aint a native english speaker...

a download manager must be used

I think it is "strongly adviced" not a "must".
Maybe I am misunderstanding you and maybe you and me actually mean the same, but it is by no means a rule that one has to use a download manager.

I aint stating this to offend you or just be a pain in the ass. I see your points and agree that my way requires a stable connection (and maybe a tiny bit of luck), but maybe (just maybe) his PC is having an issue with that download manager or something, seeing as he also mentioned that he aint getting any acknowledgement and seemed to be able to download only 1 file at a time.

 

[shaneturner12]

As I said, some users are probably lucky.

It does depend on the stability of the connection, and to some extent the stability of the server it comes from.

Any download manager program can be used, FDM is what is recommended by N3V.

I think the reason why a download manager is useful here is that with a bit of luck, you can have more than one queued at a time, especially as the FTP server has a limit on sequential (at the same time) downloads.

(Perhaps I should look into the world of download managers)

Don't worry, no offence taken.

Shane

 

[aardvark1]

~snip~

oknotsen..... your signature line is digusting.

No puppies were killed writing this post, but I will consider it for a next post

I do hope you will remove the line from any future posts that you make.