DownLater User Manual
"Why download those big files now when you can download them all
later, with DownLater?"
Copyright (c) 1999,2009 <obileer Inc
Author: Phil Burk
The Main Window
Dragging Links Into DownLater
Changing the Local File
Name
Downloading Files
Deleting Links
File Menu
Option Menu
Cookies Dialog...
Set Download Directories...
Schedule DownLoads...
Register Menu
Register...
Paste License...
Further information, recent releases and tech support can be found on
the DownLater web site.
What Does DownLater Do For You?
Have you ever been surfing the web and found several large files, like
MP3 songs or software archives, that you want to download? But as soon
as you start downloading one, it ties up your modem and slows down your
browser. Wouldn't it be nice to just pick a bunch of files now, but download
them later? You can do that using DownLater. Just drag the links from your
browser into the DownLater window. When you're done surfing, hit a button
and DownLater will download the files one after the other. Or you can schedule
them to be downloaded while you sleep.
The Main Window
Dragging Links Into DownLater
-
Start the DownLater program by double clicking on its icon.
-
Start your favorite web browser.
-
Find a file that you want to download using your web browser. It
will typically be a .ZIP file, or an .MP3 file, or another binary file
but not an .HTML file.
-
Click down on the link with the left mouse button and drag the cursor over
the DownLater window. You should see the cursor turn into an arrow.
-
Drop the link in the DownLater window. You should see a box with the URL
appear in the DownLater window.
-
It will take a few seconds for the link to be validated. If an error occurs
the box will turn orange.
-
DownLater will select a default local file name to save the file as. If
this conflicts with an existing file, you will be asked to pick a new name.
Changing the Local File Name
If you wish to change the name for the file to be saved with, double click
on the files box. You will see a standard SaveAs dialog that will let you
change the name.
Downloading Files
When you have selected the files you want, you can download them now
by hitting the [Download Now] button. As each file is downloaded, it is
removed from the list of files.
If you wish to download the files later, then check the box that says
"Download at hh:mm". When the time comes, your files will be downloaded.
If you are using a modem, then your computer will dial in to your
Internet service provider automatically. Note that you must leave DownLater
running for it to download the files as scheduled. But you can minimize
the window so that is is out of the way.
You can change the scheduled time for downloading using the "Schedule
Downloads..." menu item in the "Option" menu.
Deleting Links
If you wish to remove a file from the list before it is downloaded, click
on it once to select it. Then hit the <Delete> key, or select "Delete"
from the [Edit] menu. You can choose "Undo" from the "Edit" menu to get
the last URL back.
File Menu
Select "Exit" to leave DownLater. [Warning: you should leave DownLater
running if you want to download later.]
Option Menu
Cookies Dialog
Some web sites use cookies to keep track of information about who is visiting
their site. This information might include a user ID, or a password, or
an e-mail address. These cookies are collected by your browser as you surf
the web. In order for DownLater to download files from those web sites,
DownLater send those cookies back to the web site. You can tell DownLater
to use cookies from Netscape Communicator, or Microsoft's Internet Explorer,
or not to use any cookies. If you select Netscape, you will also be asked
to select which user's cookie's to use. You can also select a cookie file
directly but that should only be done if selecting by user does not work.
Directories Dialog
You can use the directories dialog to tell DownLater where to save your
files. You can type in the name of a directory. The default directory is
the "downloads" directory in the DownLater application directory. Or you
can specify that the default directory is changed every time you use the
SaveAs
dialog. You can also request that DownLater ask you for a file name every
time you drop in a new link.
Schedule DownLoads Dialog
You can use the "Schedule Downloads" dialog to tell DownLater when to start
downloading files. You can specify a range of time by setting the "start
time" and "end time". DownLater will pick a random time in that range.
It uses a random time so that everybody's copy of DownLater doesn't start
at the same time and swamp the Internet. You can tell DownLater to download
at the scheduled time by checking the "Download at hh:mm" check box in
the Toolbar on the main window.
Register Menu
Register...
This item will launch your browser and direct you to the DownLater web
site. At the web site, you can download new versions of DownLater, and get
more information. DownLater is now free.
Further information, recent releases and tech support can be found
on the DownLater web site.