DownloadExpert User Manual Contents

DownloadExpert User Manual
Contents

DownloadExpert

What is DownloadExpert?

Quick Start

DownloadExpert main features

Using DownloadExpert

Setting a URL

Choosing a File Type

Setting a File Name Filter

Starting a New Session

Stopping the Current Session

Saving a Session

Loading a Previous Session

Exiting the Program

Status Bar Info

Configuring DownloadExpert

General Presentation
Selecting a Simultaneous Number of Data Files

Selecting the Output Directory

Selecting the Maximum Amount of Data
Enabling or Disabling the Viewer
Reloading Option
Downloading Mode
Embedded Images Option

Other Features

Registration

Registration Order Form
Contact

What is DownloadExpert ? DownloadExpert is an Internet tool that helps you to save linked files in Html pages and view them. In the Web language these files are called links or targets.
The concept : There are more and more Web pages, and thus more and more links. Links generaly point to other Html pages but they also often refer files located on servers. For example, images (.gif, .jpg, .png...), Videos (.mpg, .avi, .ram...), audio files (.wav, .au...), programs (.exe, .class...) , archives (.zip, .jar....)...
You are interested in data stored in files and want to save it on your own machine. If you know the URL (it means the Internet address or location) of the Web page that links or references these files, then enter this URL in DownloadExpert and select the type of file you are interested in.
DownloadExpert will automatically save all of them onto your computer. Several targets can be saved simultanously (from 5 to 25), which makes saving more efficient.
DownloadExpert also allows you to view all the saved files in its File Panel. Each file is represented by a thumbnail with an icon that represents its type. Images are represented by the thumbnails of themselves. If you click on a DownloadExpert thumbnail, the progam will start the application associated with the thumbnail type,. except for images that are displayed by DownloadExpert itself.
DownloadExpert is a Java program, thus, it can run on any machine or platform that has a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) installed.
It is very simple to use and makes a good companion tool for Web surfing.
The system requirements are :
- Processor : 266Mhz or higher
- Video : 256 Colors minimum
- Disk space : 1 Megabyte

Quick Start We assume the program is started.
To quick start a new session, just type a new URL in the Address Panel and select a file type (jpeg, mpg, avi....) in the File Type Panel. Then click on the green bullet in the menu bar. The session immediately starts saving targets.
DownloadExpert displays in real time all saved files. When a thumbnail appears in the File Panel, just click on it to launch the corresponding application.

DownloadExpert Main Features Here are the three main features of DownloadExpert :

saving embedded images (useful for icons)

saving targets (ideal for Html pages that link to numerous files. Example : a directory of images)

saving files with a known naming convention (Example : img001.gif, img002.gif, img003.gif, etc...)

In each case, DownloadExpert displays the thumbnails of any saved file. If you click on one particular thumbnail, the corresponding application will be launched. Example : if you have thumbnails that represent video files, the video player attached to this type of file will be launch when clicking on one of them.

Setting a URL To set a new URL or location to find targets, you must copy&paste the URL you are currently browsing in your favorite Web browser or type it directly in the reserved space. The text area for locations is the first one you see in DownloadExpert and is a panel named : Address.

Choosing a File Type There are several types of files that you can choose.

The types of files are classified vertically : from left to right by column : images, videos, audio, doc, programs. If you want a special file type just click on "other" and type the extension of the file type you want to get.

Setting a File Name Filter You can set a filter for link names. This filter affects only the name of the file on the remote server, not the links in the HTML page.
In order to set a file name filter just enter a string in the text area of the file name filter panel :

Starting a New Session After having set all the parameters of the session, you can start it either by clicking on the green bullet in the menubar or by opening the session menu and choosing the start item.
First, DownloadExpert will try to get the list of of linked files and then will start to save all the files.
The status bar provides information about currently saved files and the amount of transmitted data.

Stopping the Current Session In order to stop the session you can click on the red bullet in the menu bar or open the Session menu and select the stop item.

Saving a Session Sessions are files that you can save with the DownloadExpert program to memorize all the parameters of your current savings. In order to save a session open the File menu and choose the "Save" or "Save as" item. Then, browse through your file directory with the file selection box, and type a name of your choice. The extension for DownloadExpert file sessions is ".dex".
The interest in saving sessions is to be able to stop and continue a session when you want to. It is also interesting for memorizing URLs with good files.

Loading a Previous Session In order to load a previous session, open the File menu and choose the Open item. A File selection box will appear to allow you to choose a previous session. The Session file extension is ".dex".

Exiting the Program To quit the program you can close the frame by clicking in the button in the top right corner. Or you can open the File menu and choose the Quit item.
When exiting DownloadExpert, the program saves all current parameters in the current session file. If you t haven't saved the current session under a particular name, the file used will default to .dex.
By default, when you restart the program the last session file will automatically be loaded and the relative parameters will be set and the corresponding thumbnails wil appear. This is what we call persistence.
Note that you can uncheck this option in the Option Panel.

Status Bar Info The status bar is an area for contextual information. It is divided into four panels. These are, from left to right :
First, the progress bar shows the percentage of the file being loaded.
Secondly a textual panel that represents the current work of DownloadExpert while saving files, or thumbnail information, path, name.....
Thirdly, this panel is used to show the number of saved files.
The last panel represents the amount of Megabytes downloaded from the network for the current session. (You can limit this amount in the Option Panel)

General Presentation The Options Panel is accessible in the Session Menu and the item Options.
It allows you to configure the current session. For example, the number of simultaneous saving sessions or the output directory for the targets...You can also choose the mode in which you want to run the session : saving links or saving files with a naming convention that you know.
Here is the options panel :

In the next section we describe how to use the above fields.

Selecting a Simultaneous Number of Data Files DownloadExpert allows multiple saving of files at the same time. The possible range is from 5 to 25 files. It means that you optimize your saving according to the capacity of your computer.
In order to set the number of multiple file saving, you must type a number in the corresponding text area named Simulatenous savings.

Selecting the Output Directory You can save the targets in the directory of your choice. To do this you just have to type the right path of the directory in the corresponding text area named : Output Directory.

Selecting the Maximum Amount of Data You can set the maximum amount of downloaded or saved data. If you want to change the default value of 10 MegaBytes just type in another value in the corresponding text area : Maximum amount of saved files.

Enabling or Disabling the Viewer Check the checkbox named Enable Viewer if you want to see the thumbnails of the files you want to download.
However if you do not want to see the thumbnails in the File Panel, uncheck the option. It may be useful to uncheck this option mainly when you want to save memory and optimize the work of DownloadExpert.

Reloading Option By default, when reloading the program, the session you were in when you quit the program will be run. If you don't want this persistent option, then uncheck it by clicking on the checkbox named : Reload last session at startup.

Downloading Mode You can choose between two downloading modes.
The saving of files from Html links or the saving of files from a naming convention. In both cases, you will have to know and to enter a URL in the Address Panel.
By default, the program tries to download Html targets, it means files linked in the page specified by the URL you gave.
But if you want, you can choose the other option which is very useful when you know a remote directory where there are dozens of files. Note that they must have a naming convention like file001.ext file002.ext file003.ext ..... filexxx.ext.
To set a naming convention session click on the radio button named files from a known naming convention. Then you can type a prefix ("img" for example), a suffix (if necessary), the start index (0 for example) and the stop index (100 for example), and finally the number of digits (3 in this example).
If the url you type is http://www.website.com/directory/images/ and the file extension .jpg then DownloadExpert will try to save all targets http://www.website.com/directory/images/img001.jpg to http://www.website.com/directory/images/img100.jpg.
This feature is very useful for saving files that are stored in a remote directory but not referenced (or linked) in Html pages! As you can see, you must guess the way files are named and stored. But with a little practice you will quickly recognize the work of the Webmaster.

Embedded Images Option This option allows you to save images embedded in Html pages. By default DownloadExpert will save any embedded images : animated gifs, banners, thumbnails images, bars, icons....
It means that this option is mainly useful for icons.
This option is possible whatever the downloading mode.
If you don't want to save embedded images automatically click on the check box named : Embedded images.

Registration Registration is a powerful way of helping new development of DownloadExpert software in future versions, and for any other software from ModeStory Software. It also provides you with one year of support and all new free versions during this period.
To register you just have to print the registration order form, fill it out and send it to the address below :
Jean-Louis DESHAIRS
ModeStory Software
35, Les Palatines
13540 PUYRICARD
FRANCE
with a check or money order for the amount of $10 (US).
Note that you must give your Copy ID. You will find a file in the root directory of the program; a file named CopyId.txt. But, if the program is running you can also find the information by selecting the Help Menu and choosing the "About item". The copy ID is displayed in the middle of the panel.

Registration Order Form Print this order form and after filling it out, send it to ModeStory Software.
Thank you for registering.

Contact For any correspondance you can send mail to :
Jean-Louis DESHAIRS
ModeStory Software
35, Les Palatines
13540 PUYRICARD
FRANCE
or E-mail us at :
software@modestory.com for administrative questions
or support@modestory.com for support questions.

Copyright (c) 1998-1999 Java ModeStory Software. All rights reserved.
DownloadExpert is trademark of Java ModeStory Software.
Java trademark is trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. All other brand names and products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

What is DownloadExpert ?	DownloadExpert is an Internet tool that helps you to save linked files in Html pages and view them. In the Web language these files are called links or targets. The concept : There are more and more Web pages, and thus more and more links. Links generaly point to other Html pages but they also often refer files located on servers. For example, images (.gif, .jpg, .png...), Videos (.mpg, .avi, .ram...), audio files (.wav, .au...), programs (.exe, .class...) , archives (.zip, .jar....)... You are interested in data stored in files and want to save it on your own machine. If you know the URL (it means the Internet address or location) of the Web page that links or references these files, then enter this URL in DownloadExpert and select the type of file you are interested in. DownloadExpert will automatically save all of them onto your computer. Several targets can be saved simultanously (from 5 to 25), which makes saving more efficient. DownloadExpert also allows you to view all the saved files in its File Panel. Each file is represented by a thumbnail with an icon that represents its type. Images are represented by the thumbnails of themselves. If you click on a DownloadExpert thumbnail, the progam will start the application associated with the thumbnail type,. except for images that are displayed by DownloadExpert itself. DownloadExpert is a Java program, thus, it can run on any machine or platform that has a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) installed. It is very simple to use and makes a good companion tool for Web surfing. The system requirements are : - Processor : 266Mhz or higher - Video : 256 Colors minimum - Disk space : 1 Megabyte
Quick Start	We assume the program is started. To quick start a new session, just type a new URL in the Address Panel and select a file type (jpeg, mpg, avi....) in the File Type Panel. Then click on the green bullet in the menu bar. The session immediately starts saving targets. DownloadExpert displays in real time all saved files. When a thumbnail appears in the File Panel, just click on it to launch the corresponding application.
DownloadExpert Main Features	Here are the three main features of DownloadExpert : saving embedded images (useful for icons) saving targets (ideal for Html pages that link to numerous files. Example : a directory of images) saving files with a known naming convention (Example : img001.gif, img002.gif, img003.gif, etc...) In each case, DownloadExpert displays the thumbnails of any saved file. If you click on one particular thumbnail, the corresponding application will be launched. Example : if you have thumbnails that represent video files, the video player attached to this type of file will be launch when clicking on one of them.
Setting a URL	To set a new URL or location to find targets, you must copy&paste the URL you are currently browsing in your favorite Web browser or type it directly in the reserved space. The text area for locations is the first one you see in DownloadExpert and is a panel named : Address.
Choosing a File Type	There are several types of files that you can choose. The types of files are classified vertically : from left to right by column : images, videos, audio, doc, programs. If you want a special file type just click on "other" and type the extension of the file type you want to get.
Setting a File Name Filter	You can set a filter for link names. This filter affects only the name of the file on the remote server, not the links in the HTML page. In order to set a file name filter just enter a string in the text area of the file name filter panel :
Starting a New Session	After having set all the parameters of the session, you can start it either by clicking on the green bullet in the menubar or by opening the session menu and choosing the start item. First, DownloadExpert will try to get the list of of linked files and then will start to save all the files. The status bar provides information about currently saved files and the amount of transmitted data.
Stopping the Current Session	In order to stop the session you can click on the red bullet in the menu bar or open the Session menu and select the stop item.
Saving a Session	Sessions are files that you can save with the DownloadExpert program to memorize all the parameters of your current savings. In order to save a session open the File menu and choose the "Save" or "Save as" item. Then, browse through your file directory with the file selection box, and type a name of your choice. The extension for DownloadExpert file sessions is ".dex". The interest in saving sessions is to be able to stop and continue a session when you want to. It is also interesting for memorizing URLs with good files.
Loading a Previous Session	In order to load a previous session, open the File menu and choose the Open item. A File selection box will appear to allow you to choose a previous session. The Session file extension is ".dex".
Exiting the Program	To quit the program you can close the frame by clicking in the button in the top right corner. Or you can open the File menu and choose the Quit item. When exiting DownloadExpert, the program saves all current parameters in the current session file. If you t haven't saved the current session under a particular name, the file used will default to .dex. By default, when you restart the program the last session file will automatically be loaded and the relative parameters will be set and the corresponding thumbnails wil appear. This is what we call persistence. Note that you can uncheck this option in the Option Panel.
Status Bar Info	The status bar is an area for contextual information. It is divided into four panels. These are, from left to right : First, the progress bar shows the percentage of the file being loaded. Secondly a textual panel that represents the current work of DownloadExpert while saving files, or thumbnail information, path, name..... Thirdly, this panel is used to show the number of saved files. The last panel represents the amount of Megabytes downloaded from the network for the current session. (You can limit this amount in the Option Panel)
General Presentation	The Options Panel is accessible in the Session Menu and the item Options. It allows you to configure the current session. For example, the number of simultaneous saving sessions or the output directory for the targets...You can also choose the mode in which you want to run the session : saving links or saving files with a naming convention that you know. Here is the options panel : In the next section we describe how to use the above fields.
Selecting a Simultaneous Number of Data Files	DownloadExpert allows multiple saving of files at the same time. The possible range is from 5 to 25 files. It means that you optimize your saving according to the capacity of your computer. In order to set the number of multiple file saving, you must type a number in the corresponding text area named Simulatenous savings.
Selecting the Output Directory	You can save the targets in the directory of your choice. To do this you just have to type the right path of the directory in the corresponding text area named : Output Directory.
Selecting the Maximum Amount of Data	You can set the maximum amount of downloaded or saved data. If you want to change the default value of 10 MegaBytes just type in another value in the corresponding text area : Maximum amount of saved files.
Enabling or Disabling the Viewer	Check the checkbox named Enable Viewer if you want to see the thumbnails of the files you want to download. However if you do not want to see the thumbnails in the File Panel, uncheck the option. It may be useful to uncheck this option mainly when you want to save memory and optimize the work of DownloadExpert.
Reloading Option	By default, when reloading the program, the session you were in when you quit the program will be run. If you don't want this persistent option, then uncheck it by clicking on the checkbox named : Reload last session at startup.
Downloading Mode	You can choose between two downloading modes. The saving of files from Html links or the saving of files from a naming convention. In both cases, you will have to know and to enter a URL in the Address Panel. By default, the program tries to download Html targets, it means files linked in the page specified by the URL you gave. But if you want, you can choose the other option which is very useful when you know a remote directory where there are dozens of files. Note that they must have a naming convention like file001.ext file002.ext file003.ext ..... filexxx.ext. To set a naming convention session click on the radio button named files from a known naming convention. Then you can type a prefix ("img" for example), a suffix (if necessary), the start index (0 for example) and the stop index (100 for example), and finally the number of digits (3 in this example). If the url you type is http://www.website.com/directory/images/ and the file extension .jpg then DownloadExpert will try to save all targets http://www.website.com/directory/images/img001.jpg to http://www.website.com/directory/images/img100.jpg. This feature is very useful for saving files that are stored in a remote directory but not referenced (or linked) in Html pages! As you can see, you must guess the way files are named and stored. But with a little practice you will quickly recognize the work of the Webmaster.
Embedded Images Option	This option allows you to save images embedded in Html pages. By default DownloadExpert will save any embedded images : animated gifs, banners, thumbnails images, bars, icons.... It means that this option is mainly useful for icons. This option is possible whatever the downloading mode. If you don't want to save embedded images automatically click on the check box named : Embedded images.
Registration	Registration is a powerful way of helping new development of DownloadExpert software in future versions, and for any other software from ModeStory Software. It also provides you with one year of support and all new free versions during this period. To register you just have to print the registration order form, fill it out and send it to the address below : Jean-Louis DESHAIRS ModeStory Software 35, Les Palatines 13540 PUYRICARD FRANCE with a check or money order for the amount of $10 (US). Note that you must give your Copy ID. You will find a file in the root directory of the program; a file named CopyId.txt. But, if the program is running you can also find the information by selecting the Help Menu and choosing the "About item". The copy ID is displayed in the middle of the panel.
Registration Order Form	Print this order form and after filling it out, send it to ModeStory Software. Thank you for registering.
Contact	For any correspondance you can send mail to : Jean-Louis DESHAIRS ModeStory Software 35, Les Palatines 13540 PUYRICARD FRANCE or E-mail us at : software@modestory.com for administrative questions or support@modestory.com for support questions.