Download Software From TechSoup’s Donor Partners

TechSoup donor partners regularly make full versions of their programs available as downloads for easy delivery and installation.

FlashGet is a stylish download manager designed to expedite file downloads using multi-server hyperthreading transportation. It supports various protocols and offers dynamic file segmentation, resume capability and browser integration – delivering you faster file downloads!

Requirements

Many software companies now provide their programs through downloads instead of CDs or DVDs, with links on websites or graphical images starting the download process. Once it’s downloaded, a box appears offering either to Run or Save; for ease of reinstallation later. It is best to select Save so that any problems with later installations don’t arise.

Most programs come equipped with their own installer, which will take care of downloading, unpacking and installing their software onto your computer. Some may even come equipped with built-in antivirus protection to detect any potential malware threats in their code.

Some websites that allow you to download software also provide reviews and screenshots of each program available for download. A great source of software downloads is Softpedia, offering both free and paid options across a range of platforms.

Compatibility

Before downloading software onto your computer, its system requirements must meet minimum system specifications. These may differ depending on which computer is being used and it’s essential that you ensure that it will be compatible before beginning to download programs.

Once you click the link or image that begins your download, it usually takes only minutes before your file arrives at your computer from the Internet. When downloading is complete, a dialog box titled ‘Do You Want To Launch This Program Now?” should appear asking whether or not to install.

Answers depend on what it is you are downloading. Many downloads are free programs you can access offline; others, such as software packages from TechSoup donor partners that require payment through credit or other forms, require payments in some form and provide instructions detailing compatible operating systems – otherwise your download could fail to install properly.

Security

Security practitioners have provided one key piece of advice: only download software from trusted sites. This advice is especially important if the program runs on your computer and could potentially damage files if malware enters through its files themselves.

Some programs can be obtained directly from publishers’ own sites while others can be obtained from various download sites. It’s wise to research each source prior to downloading any program for its reputation and employ a malware scanner just in case.

Some software developers include secondary programs known as barnacles or potentially unwanted programs with their main application, known as barnacles or potentially unwanted programs (PUP). These may contain malware or be themselves malware-laden; unfortunately they are often distributed through app stores that don’t vet these authors properly. Drive-by downloads can occur when users click popup ads (e.g. fake security breach notifications) that download viruses directly onto their browsers.

Privacy

With high-speed Internet connections becoming ubiquitous, more software companies are opting for download-only packages instead of traditional boxed packages to reduce waste and provide easy updates and upgrades for their programs. While downloading software may seem like a more convenient solution, it does come with risks; therefore it is crucial to be familiar with system requirements, file types and best practices before purchasing this type of program.

Take the same cautions you would when shopping online when downloading files, software and plugins. Some downloads contain computer viruses or spyware while others open backdoors allowing access without your knowledge. Therefore, only use one administrator account on your computer for daily tasks and create another specifically designated for installing software installations.