File hosting sites are convenient when you need to share files with others. But when you need to download multiple files from different file hosting sites, it takes a long time to separately access them.

jDownloader lets you add the URL to files so they can be downloaded without sitting and waiting. The program supports many of the most popular file hosting sites and is easy to use, but at first glance it does look a little overwhelming.

jDownloader is simple once you understand the basic functions.

Using jDownloader doesn’t require much technical knowledge. All you need is the URL of the link and jDownloader handles the rest.

Whenever I get a new computer, or a virtual machine here at Softonic HQ, one of the first programs I install is a download manager. If you download frequently, it makes the job so much more efficient, easily allowing you to sort, categorize and automate your downloads. What's more, lots also make downloading much, much quicker. What are you waiting for?! Check out the top options here.

Download Accelerator Plus

My favorite app is Download Accelerator Plus (DAP). Even the free version of this manager has more options than you can imagine, integrates perfectly with most browsers and really speeds things up. I couldn't live without it, and if you are looking for a great all-rounder, don't hesitate to download it. Also available for Mac.

Downloading directly from the web has become a great alternative to other more "traditional" downloading protocols such as P2P and BitTorrent. The increasing popularity of these direct downloads has contributed to the launch of software like Mipony and jDownloader, and to the spread of dozens of online services for storing and sharing files on the Web. The question then is, which one of these services should you be using?

Most online file hosting websites look almost identical. They seem to offer the same tools and options, but a deeper look soon reveals small differences in what you get when using one or another. After comparing the ten most popular file hosting services, we've come up with two tables that sum up the features included in their Free and Premium accounts, respectively. A quick glance at the data will surely help you decide which hosting service is best for you.

Before moving on to the tables, let's explain the criteria we used to compare the services:

Storage Capacity: Maximum size allowed for each file you upload. If there are two figures, the second one refers to the amount of total space available for your account.

Transfer limit: Maximum amount of data you can transfer within a certain period of time.

Expiration date: This applies mainly to free accounts, and refers to the number of days the uploaded file will be available online. It's usually calculated from the time it was last downloaded.

File management: Is there a special tool to manage your files, and organize them in groups or folders?

Simultaneous downloads: Does the file hosting service allow multiple file downloads at the same time?

Waiting time: The amount of time you usually have to wait in free accounts before you can actually download the file.

Price: The monthly fee you have to pay for a premium account in each of these services.

Free account

	Storage capacity	Transfer limit	Expiration date	File management	Simultaneous downloads	Waiting time
	500 MB	No	30d/90d	Members only	No	Variable
	500 MB/200 GB	1 GB/24h	21d/90d	Members only	No	45s/25s
	200 MB	No	Upon warning	Members only	Yes	No
	2,000 MB	30 min.	90d	Yes, FTP	No	15s
*	200 MB/10GB	No	30d	Yes	No	Variable
	300MB/2GB	10 files/8h	20d/45d	Members only	No	60s
	2,000 MB/ 500 GB	150 MB/h	90d	Members only	No	+30s
	1 GB	No	60d	Yes, and FTP too	No	20s
	2 GB	No	No	No	No	100s
*	2 to 8 GB	No	No	Yes	Yes	No

*Requires registration

Windows: do you need help handling your downloads? Then jDownloader Portable is made for you. This powerful download manager doesn't require installation and makes the whole process of downloading from file sharing websites much easier and faster. No more pop-up windows, waiting times and hidden download links. Let jDownloader Portable will take care of it!

iPhone: The default battery indicator on the iPhone looks pretty, but it doesn't really give you much information other than a general idea of how much juice you have left. About Battery delivers a more powerful and advanced way of monitoring battery life on your iPhone. Rather than just give you an overview of the remaining power, the program breaks it down into calculations of the remaining time you have left for certain tasks.

Mac: There are basically two options to run Windows on a Mac - using Boot Camp which involves installing Windows on a separate partition and rebooting it in Windows or, running Windows in a virtual environment such as the one that Parallels Desktop provides. Parallels 5 presents more than 70 new features which allow users to define how much or little Windows they want to see, a new Crystal view mode.

Windows 7 is a fast, stable operating system that already includes high quality software by default. But that doesn't mean you aren't allowed to enjoy the advantages of  third-party apps.

Common tasks such as downloading files, chatting with your friends, creating documents or editing photos require tools that you won't find built into Windows 7. Also, some of the tools you used before may not be compatible with Microsoft's new operating system. This is why we've put together this list of 20 top free apps that work with Windows 7, with which you'll be able to take full advantage of your brand new system.

Security comes first. There are many antivirus apps that work with Windows 7, but Microsoft Security Essentials is the one that best integrates with the system. Plus it also protects you from spyware!

Stability is another key issue. While we wait for the new Windows 7 compatible version of TuneUp Utilities, CCleaner can also do a great job cleaning, tweaking and optimizing your system.

Don't be ashamed: we all have deleted files by mistake at some point in our lives. Fortunately we can count on this great tool called Recuva to get them back - and it works like a breeze on Windows 7 as well.

Need a password manager to deal with all your usernames, passwords, secret numbers and personal codes? Keepass is a great choice, and is also perfectly embedded in Microsoft's new operating system.

Browsing the Web is the main activity for most computer users. Windows 7 already features the new Internet Explorer 8, but I'm sure most of you will only use it to download Firefox. Another excellent alternative is Opera.

Windows: Is Messenger too old-fashioned for you? Are you looking for a more original way to chat with your friends and meet new people? Then you have to try IMVU, a fun IM client in a 3D environment. Join actual chat "rooms" where you're not just a nickname, but a nice 3D avatar that you can freely customize with new clothes and accessories.

Mac: If you're a big user of Megaupload.com or Rapidshare.com, then JDownloader might help you manage and organize your downloads in a far more convenient and faster way. JDownloader is an open source, platform independent download manager. It's optimized for those that use one-click-hosting and sharing solutions such as Rapidshare and Megaupload including for those that do not subscribe to the premium services.

Pocket PC: With so many phones equipped with cameras these days, it makes sense to be able to view, manage and edit them on the move. XnView is perfect for all three of these things, containing five different viewing modes, tools for ordering your pictures more effectively, plus a bevy of editing functions.