How to Download Multiple Files From Rapidshare, Megaupload, Uploading, and Hotfile

If you are a frequent Internet surfer, you may have stumbled upon file hosting websites such as Rapidshare, Megaupload, Uploading, and my favorite, Hotfile. These site offer virtual on-line file storage. Most of them offer a basic free service and give you the option to upgrade to a premium account for a fee. Usually, you would pay monthly or yearly for the premium. People usually reach these file hosting site by one of two ways. They either are looking for a service that hosts their files for future back ups or they are looking for files to download and they are hosted on one of these sites. These sites offer great service for paid users but non premium users have to go through some hassle when trying to download files from these servers.

So you can download files hosted on these sites but what is the catch? Most of these file hosting websites require users that don't have a premium account to enter a captcha and/or wait a period of time before downloading. Some even log in your IP and require you to wait a certain period before you can download another file from their servers. The selling point is to get you to register for a premium account so you don't have to wait or enter captchas. It's a fair exchange if you frequent sites like these.

However, if you are looking to download large amounts of files from one of these file hosting sites, there's a better way. It's called a download manager. Most download managers are pretty generic. You need one that supports downloads from these sites. The download manager I use is called JDownloader. It is available for Windows, MacOSX, and Ubuntu.

You need JDownloader if:

• You frequently download from file hosting site.
• You can't stand waiting for the count downs.
  

• You want a convenient program that managers your downloads.

Call me presumptuous, but I'm just going to guess that you might need this program. Go to their site right now and download it. Okay, now how do you use it? It's really simple. Download JDownloader and install it. After installation, open it up and update the software. Next, go to the list of files you wish to download. Most people download files in parts of pieces. For example, if you are downloading episodes of your favorite shows from Hotfile, you will usually have a list of these episodes that you must download one by one. Go to JDownloader and click "Links", "Add Links", then "Add URLs." Next, copy and paste each episode link you wish to download in the entry box on JDownloader. Put 1 download link per line. Third, click "Parse URLs." If all the links work, click the start button and you're done!

JDownloader will automatically dowload your files one by one. It will wait for the count downs and prompt you to fill out the captchas. The program is not perfect however. Sometimes, you will get errors. This is mainly due to the file hosting sites updating their codes or whatnot. This is the reason why JDownloader is constantly prompting you to update when you open it. JDownloader supports over 30 file hosting sites but I've found that I only enable the 6 most popular.  
 

JDownloader has some pretty advanced features like resetting your internet connection in an attempt to obtain a new IP. This can be handy for those hosts that log your IP and put a counter on that. JDownloader also supports integration with Firefox with an addon called FlashGot. Personally, I like to keep this program seperated from my web browser so I've never tried it. JDownloader also keeps track of your clipboard and adds them to your download list with a feature called linkgrabber. I don't know how I feel about this yet. In one hand, it's nice that I don't have to right click and paste tons of links but it kind of turns me off that they have access to my clipboard. I turned this feature off for now in settings. They have a module called "AntiCaptcha" which suppose to automatically enter the captcha information for you. I too am not sure how I feel about this. On one hand, I is convenient so I don't have to worry about this but on the other hand, programs like these are paving the way for a new generation of spammers. (Un)Fortunately, this feature does not seem to work for me and to be honest, I don't mind. Let's keep humans on the web and put an end to spam please! 

One thing to consider is paying for the premium memberships. Joining and paying for a premium account has it's benefits. Not only do you get to have full access without waiting but you can also upload your own files for backup or to share with your friends. Rapidshare is the most popular right now but I still would recommend opening a premium account with Hotfile. Their service is simple and straightforward. You are responsible for what you upload of course but they don't baby you like big brother. Don't ask, don't tell. I like that. If this is enough reason for you to join, I suggest you join Hotfile right now! If you need more reasons, I suggest you read some of my other hubs below. Thanks for reading! Hope this has helped!