Free Download Manager (FDM) is one of the most feature-packed download managers we've ever used. It's got all the essentials-the ability to split downloads, use different mirrors for the same file, download Flash videos from sites like YouTube, even BitTorrent support-and then adds a whole lot more.

If you enable FDM's community features, you'll be able to see comments that users have left for each download-these comments can be quite helpful, steering you away from virus¬infected downloads or telling you how to run an XP-only program under Vista. Another feature we like, is the ability to preview the contents of a ZIP archive and decide which files to download."

In its latest version, FDM also scans your PC's programs to see if you're running the latest version of everything-if you're not, FDM will download the necessary updates for you. It also sports a Web interfac'e, so you can start downloads on your home PC from wherever you have Internet access.

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If we were to gripe about anything, it'd be that FDM's clipboard monitor can get a bit over-enthusiastic sometimes-we can't count the number of times it's offered to download download.php for us.

Downloader's Tip
Always-and this applies to any download manager-change the number of simultane¬ous connections to a server to 10 by default. This'll make optimal use of your bandwidth, which really means that other applications won't have as much luck getting data from the Internet.

The Alternative
Orbit Downloader has the same set of features, but doesn't integrate with Opera as well, and doesn't have the community goodness that FDM does