Filed under: Internet, Utilities, Mozilla, Browsers
Bypass download delays with Skipscreen for Firefox
You've got to love SkipScreen's motto: "iskp that isht." That's exactly what the handy Firefox plugin is designed to do. Once installed, Skipscreen will bypass those annoying intermediate pages you encounter when trying to download files from a site like Mediafire, RapidShare, zShare, or Megaupload. Other sites currently supported include DespoitFiles, Divshare, and LinkBucks, and more are on the way.
As stated on the SkipScreen site, the plugin has "extra dreamy" features for Mediafire (and three others). Click a link to a file hosted on one of those sites, and SkipScreen will take care of things on its own - all you have to click on is the save file dialog box once it appears.
[via gHacks]
As noted by Fred in the comments, you may want to have a look at the privacy policy before installing this:
The current version of SkipScreen does not collect user information. Future versions may include a post-download page that shows advertising or search results related to the filename, description or originating blog; that information may be available to the advertising site, and subject to their privacy policy. The providers of search results and advertisements will be clearly visible to the user, and/or noted in this privacy policy.
Whether or not you're willing to trade some future adverts for the convenience of skipping some intermediate screens is your call. Curiously, the developers also push AdBlock on their site.
As stated on the SkipScreen site, the plugin has "extra dreamy" features for Mediafire (and three others). Click a link to a file hosted on one of those sites, and SkipScreen will take care of things on its own - all you have to click on is the save file dialog box once it appears.
[via gHacks]
As noted by Fred in the comments, you may want to have a look at the privacy policy before installing this:
The current version of SkipScreen does not collect user information. Future versions may include a post-download page that shows advertising or search results related to the filename, description or originating blog; that information may be available to the advertising site, and subject to their privacy policy. The providers of search results and advertisements will be clearly visible to the user, and/or noted in this privacy policy.
Whether or not you're willing to trade some future adverts for the convenience of skipping some intermediate screens is your call. Curiously, the developers also push AdBlock on their site.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Night Elve said 10:31AM on 4-02-2009
Hell yeah! Now I will not have to wait for my porn ... I mean music videos yeap ..
Reply
BlackCoffeeNoSugar said 10:32AM on 4-02-2009
This is indeed one of the most useful add-ons! Another great reason to use Firefox!
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Ethan said 10:47AM on 4-02-2009
Wow. If this works, wow.
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The Gnome said 11:12AM on 4-02-2009
"Night Elve said 10:31AM on 4-02-2009
Hell yeah! Now I will not have to wait for my porn ... I mean music videos yeap"
Same here. LOL
Reply
David Berman said 11:55AM on 4-02-2009
Or, instead of using Rapid Share, you could use SendToPerson.com for free, which sends larger files, guarantees reliability, and doesn't hassle you.
Reply
Fred Thompson said 12:43PM on 4-02-2009
Skipscreen is just a compiled GreaseMonkey script. Look at the privacy policy...looks like they plan to spam people in the future.
Better options are:
JDownloader http://jdownloader.org/home
GreaseMonkey scripts:
Depositfiles download timer remover and download slot getter http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/11630
FileFactory download slot getter http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/11236
Reply
Fred Thompson said 12:43PM on 4-02-2009
continued:
iFolder downloading helper http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/30525
Megaupload auto-fill captcha http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/38736
Netload.in Popup Remover and Faster Captcha http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/14541
Reply
Fred Thompson said 12:43PM on 4-02-2009
continued:
NoDelay http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/6499
Rapidshare AutoWait http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/38985
Rapidshare Links Checker http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/9467
Reply
Fred Thompson said 12:44PM on 4-02-2009
continued:
Universal Links Checker http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/24953
Uploaded.to http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/32738
Reply
The Skipper said 11:41AM on 4-03-2009
Hey, I work on skipscreen.
Yep, you could install a million other user scripts, which is what we were doing before we decided to make skipscreen. But lots of them only work partially (like, they skip the wait but don't autodownload the file or autoclick the first download link) and they break, and the developers disappear after a few months of active maintenance, etc.
Plus, there are tons of people who need this tool who don't know what greasemonkey is, and who would be confused by a multi-step install process.
As far as ads go, we hear you. It's definitely not an accident that we recommend adblock plus on our site, we use it and we'll keep recommending it even though it's not in our interest to do so because we think it's awesome for users to have control :)
On the other hand... we're starting a arms race (of sorts) with a bunch of big sites that can break us just by changing a line of code. So, if we have a source of funding (even a small one) that will let us make something more reliable than, say, a collection of greasemonkey scripts and easier to install/use than something like jDownloader.
And the advertising we're considering won't be too ugly or annoying. It will be like "support the artist, buy DRM-free tracks from Amazon" or a single web ad. Nothing beyond what somebody would put on their blog to generate some spare change.
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Lee Mathews said 10:58AM on 4-03-2009
Thanks for the input, Skip. Always great to see developers involved in the dialog!
The Skipper said 11:46AM on 4-03-2009
Arrrr pleasure :)
Reply