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Download Preference

AdamSnow

Diamond Member
When you go to a download site to grab the latest software... say around a 350mb download, and the site gives you three options to choose from for your download.

1) HTTP
2) FTP
3) Torrent

What do you choose? Explain why.
 
Neither do I... but what one do you click on first ?

Torrent could be fast as hell... but it could be very slow as well... same with HTTP and FTP... but what one do you click on first? Do you assume Torrent will be fastest?
 
Originally posted by: Nik
350MB? Small Linux ISO?

Sure.

I dont have a specific file... just wondering what everyone else would choose first for their download preference...

Linux Distro, Game updates, etc... whatever... size doesn't really matter.
 
FTP, easiest to resume, easiest to queue up for later.

With dialup, and a work connection, torrents aren't a very good option. HTTP for files transfers always seemed like a hack job to me for some reason.
 
Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
I buy my software.

Have you never been to a legitimate company that offered your download to be done through a Torrent?

Blizzard uses Torrents to update their World of Warcraft game...


Even NASA World Wind has these options... HTTP/Torrent Link for proof

Not every time "torrent" is mentioned is the person downloading illegal software that you would normally buy...
 
Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
FTP - resume features, dedicated bandwidth.

- M4H

If you choose FTP, and it starts downloading with the standard windows file transfer. (Not loading up an FTP client) will it still allow you to resume if something were to happen?

What I'm getting at... is there any advantage to choosing FTP over HTTP besides bandwidth?
 
Originally posted by: AdamSnow
If you choose FTP, and it starts downloading with the standard windows file transfer. (Not loading up an FTP client) will it still allow you to resume if something were to happen?

Occasionally - depends if the server supports it.

What I'm getting at... is there any advantage to choosing FTP over HTTP besides bandwidth?

It was designed for file transfers first, rather than wrapping it in HTTP. 😛

- M4H
 
Originally posted by: AdamSnow
Not every time "torrent" is mentioned is the person downloading illegal software that you would normally buy...
True, but when a person is being vague about what software they're "acquiring" then 90% of the time it is warez.

And I notice you only say the software you want might be legal to dl 🙂
 
Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Originally posted by: AdamSnow
Not every time "torrent" is mentioned is the person downloading illegal software that you would normally buy...
True, but when a person is being vague about what software they're "acquiring" then 90% of the time it is warez.

And I notice you only say the software you want might be legal to dl 🙂

Never once said that it might be legal...

I was being vague as there was not a specific piece of software I was asking about... the software doesnt matter... could be a 5mb hi-res photo, or a 2700mb freelance movie... The point is to see what people would choose first for their download preference, and explain why they would choose that... 🙂
 
Originally posted by: Nik
All three are easy to track by prying eyes. I prefer IRC.

Why would you care if someone sees you downloading a piece of shareware? Or a Windows Update? Or a Linux ISO?
 
Originally posted by: MCrusty
Originally posted by: Nik
All three are easy to track by prying eyes. I prefer IRC.

Why would you care if someone sees you downloading a piece of shareware? Or a Windows Update? Or a Linux ISO?

Exactly... and if he's thinking that IRC is 100% anonymous he's in for a surprise one day as well...
 
Assuming you mean legal stuff, then the answer is it depends. For commercial sites, I'll typically pick http or ftp since I expect them to provide enough bandwidth for whatever they are serving. If its a large download from a site that offers freeware or open source and they ask that I use a torrent, I'll use a torrent.
 
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