Disabling parallel downloads

[zardos]

I've noticed that UE downloads binaries in parallel most of the time now. If I select 100 files to download, UE will download about 10 at a time in parallel. The percentage on these 10 files move up at the same time. This isn't really a problem in itself. What I run into sometimes, is I add a high priority file to download, and it goes to the top of the list like its supposed to, but, it downloads in parallel with the others. So if all these files are, say, 200meg each, I have to wait 10 minutes or so to get my "high priority" file to download now. Is there a way to make it stop going in parallel, so that it will prioritize on the TOP file in the download list? It's rare that this bothers me, but in those rare cases where I want to add a high priority download, it's an issue.

And secondly, while we're on the subject, maybe you could explain why sometimes it will do 10 files in parallel, and yet I've noticed that it will do this for a few minutes, then for no apparent reason to me, it will change and just work on the TOP level file... then go back to parallel, usually after the top file completes.

Thanks!!! I've bought and renewed my license 3 or 4 times! I love your program, and have gotten 3 friends of mine to purchase it too over the last few years...

PS -- Love the Par2 checking + Unrar'ing that you added the last year or so... so nice..

Kevin Crane

[alex]

It is the bypass database storage "optimize" option in work, there is some threshold when the option is disabled automatically, it is when you see it reverting to downloading into the database first.

It minimizes disk load and download time.

You can disable the option edit menu->properties->save/unpack, saving attachments, bypass database storage, optimize, you don't have to disable bypass database storage as well.

The trade-off is UE will scan downloaded files (one more read), but if your connection is not so fast (otherwise UE wouldn't be reverting), maybe it won't be noticeable, disk usage will be still lower comparing to disabling bypass database option completely.

[zardos]

Thanks!! I would have never figured out how to turn the parallel downloads off... But just so you know, I have a 18mbits/sec connection which yields right at 2 megabytes / sec (2.04 or so) with UE and Giganews. And it never drops below that -- I have a very consistent speed -- It moves from 2.03 to 2.07 Mbytes/sec on UE's status at the bottom. It seems exactly the same speed if UE downloads in parallel or with the optimize OFF.

[boston62]

Thanks!! I would have never figured out how to turn the parallel downloads off... But just so you know, I have a 18mbits/sec connection which yields right at 2 megabytes / sec (2.04 or so) with UE and Giganews. And it never drops below that -- I have a very consistent speed -- It moves from 2.03 to 2.07 Mbytes/sec on UE's status at the bottom. It seems exactly the same speed if UE downloads in parallel or with the optimize OFF.

Is there a drop in speed when downloading headers? I am using Astraweb, and the speed drops way down, I have a 25 mbit/s line, and get around 3.0 MB/s on articles, but not headers. I checked the virus scanner, not that. Thanks

[zardos]

To answer your question in one sentence: I get no drop in speed on headers, I actually get them FASTER than normal downloads, since they are compressed, and it still uses my full bandwidth.

Giganews has a program called "Giganews Accelerator". This app compresses headers and does SSL encryption and other things (See http://www.giganews.com/accelerator.html) I always have this app running, and I proxy UE through it, to access Giganews. This allows very fast header speed for me. From memory, I'd say 3 to 4 Megabytes / second (even though my actual connection maxxes out at 2 Mbytes / sec -- this, of course, is because the headers are compressing, so UE reports these higher than "possible" speeds).

I haven't tried any other "pay per month" Usenet services... But, I've used giganews for years, and got a couple friends to use it too... We've had no problems with it, ever. I always get my full bandwidth from them (I use 12 tasks at a time)... and, they keep raising their retention! Looking at their website, its at 2.5 years retention for binaries now! Anyways, I don't know if you are thinking of switching but it's quite a good service.

[boston62]

To answer your question in one sentence: I get no drop in speed on headers, I actually get them FASTER than normal downloads, since they are compressed, and it still uses my full bandwidth.

Giganews has a program called "Giganews Accelerator". This app compresses headers and does SSL encryption and other things (See http://www.giganews.com/accelerator.html) I always have this app running, and I proxy UE through it, to access Giganews. This allows very fast header speed for me. From memory, I'd say 3 to 4 Megabytes / second (even though my actual connection maxxes out at 2 Mbytes / sec -- this, of course, is because the headers are compressing, so UE reports these higher than "possible" speeds).

I haven't tried any other "pay per month" Usenet services... But, I've used giganews for years, and got a couple friends to use it too... We've had no problems with it, ever. I always get my full bandwidth from them (I use 12 tasks at a time)... and, they keep raising their retention! Looking at their website, its at 2.5 years retention for binaries now! Anyways, I don't know if you are thinking of switching but it's quite a good service.

I also run Newsleecher which I have no problem with the header downloading speed, maybe I have something set wrong, I did check my virus scanner to make sure it wasn't the problem. Thanks for the info.