Download speed

[MisterWho]

I'm currently downloading file 32403 using IE11 under Win7ProSP1. When I started there was only one other download in progress, but there are now 4 others with more in the queue. The problem is that my original speed was over 5 kbps, but for at least the last 20 minutes the speed has been going down by 0.01 kbps every 5 seconds or so. It just passed 3.35 kbps and continues to go down, with the obvious result that the remaining time to complete keeps going up ...

Just what is going on with this ridiculous download system ?

[Trev123]

Get a Premium Membership, then you can download about 60 times faster.

[dorlan]

From the UKTS File Library FAQ...

What's all this about a queue and premium membership?

As with all things this site costs money to run and with banner advertising at an all time low the site needs a more reliable income to keep the bills paid. That income comes from users who pay to upgrade their membership to a Premium account.

Normal free members can download whatever they like but there are severe restrictions. As at the current time: You can only download one file at a time.
You must wait your turn in a queue.
Only a max of six downloads at a time will occur, as each one completes you will move up the queue.
There is only a maximum bandwidth of 12k/s assigned to free downloads. This is spread equally over all downloading sessions. If you are the only person downloading via free access then you will get all 12k/s, if you are one of six people then you will get 2k/s. Yes, I know this is very slow.
Note that the queue system will usually render most Download Manager advanced features (resume, file splitting, queueing on your local PC etc) unavailable.


Premium membership costs are as follows:
£3 inc VAT for 1 month
£11.75 inc VAT for 6 months (around £1.95 per month)
£20 inc VAT for 12 months (around £1.66 per month)
You can pay by Postal Order or Cheque in the mail, or alternatively you can pay online for instant upgrade using your Credit or Debit card.

What do you get in return for being premium?

In short, unlimited access.
There is no queue, your download will start immediately.
There are no speed limits, your download will proceed at whatever speed your connection is capable of.
You can download as many files simultaneously as you like.
Download Managers work great, queue your files up and/or split them in to multiple downloads, it all works great.

Note also that by purchasing any items from the UKTS shop you will usually receive one month of premium for each item purchased (those that do not include this offer will be marked) - so by purchasing a couple of CD's (commercial, community etc) you can get a couple of months premium thrown in with the deal at no extra cost to you.

When are you going to make more free bandwidth?? There's obviously not enough!

Everything has to be paid for, premium users pay for their own bandwidth usage through the small fixed monthly subscription (which gets cheaper if you pay in 6 or 12 month blocks too) - free bandwidth must still be paid for by some one. We don't feel it is fair to use premium subscribers money to cover the free bandwidth usage so that money is used to cover their downloads and to provide extra facilities for the site. Free Bandwidth is paid for by advertising.

[trainsftw]

Yes I agree, download speed is far to slow and I can not put up with having to wait for others with there downloads... queues need to be removed!!Q

[Easilyconfused]

Yes I agree, download speed is far to slow and I can not put up with having to wait for others with there downloads... queues need to be removed!!Q

Thanks for your valued input.

The bandwidth has to be paid for and the site owner and site admin have both repeatedly outlined the business model over the years. There are no plans to change it currently.

As others have noted a premium membership is not expensive and I suspect with a 3 month membership you could download more stuff than you can sensibly use and then not renew the membership until something comes up that you can't live without so take out another month.

[davep]

I must say Premium Membership is well worth it.
I pay £20 a year and download anything I need or like the look of.
As I have a superfast (thanks Virgin!) broadband connection, I only have to wait a second or two.
So dip your hand in your pocket and you'll have nothing to grumble about.