GetRight is a program whose primary function is to allow you to resume downloads that have been cut off for various reasons (internet connection broken, computer freezes, server problems). I have found this feature to be incredibly useful. This is especially true when downloading large files--during the time it takes to download something, all sorts of things could happen. With conventional downloading, you would have to re-download the whole file if it crashes on the last byte (it does happen).

To do this, GetRight takes over the downloading whenever you click on a download link from within Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, and more. You can also manually enter files to download from within GetRight's download manager.

GetRight also provides another useful tool when downloading. It can perform segmented downloading--downloading different parts of the program from different servers. This can dramatically improve your download speed because servers often limit how much bandwidth you are allowed to take up, so you may not be using all of your modem's capabilities. Your mileage may vary depending on which servers you use, and how many servers the file is located on. Unfortunately, this feature is only useful when the file is mirrored in several places. The first few versions of GetRight had less than optimal support for this, but it has been fixed recently (v4.2b).

GetRight can also perform scheduled downloading. You can tell it to download a certain file at a certain time, everyday, or to shut down when done with the file. This feature can be useful when you want to update something everyday or want to be away from your computer for a while, but still want the ability to download.

Unfortunately, GetRight is not freeware--you must register or suffer ads. That puts you down $20.00. You can download the program and use it for as long as you want, but you must register to remove the ads. They do not interfere too greatly, but I registered it, mostly because I found it so useful I felt it was a crime not to support it.

My biggest pet peeve with GetRight is that it only works in Windows. I would much prefer to use it also in Linux, but it does not look like Headlight Software intends to port it. I believe they are looking into porting it onto the Mac, but I'm not sure when that will happen.

All in all, I would highly recommend GetRight to anyone that is tired of losing a 40 meg download because someone lifted the phone. The ads can be annoying, but they can be lived with. Happy downloading!



Recommended: Yes