I was downloading World of Xeen today and i was a little bored(downloading @ 5 Kb/s can take a while - unusually slow speed :not_ok:).So i thought what if we could implement a function that could make downloading more fun.So i came up with this idea:
Say i want to download World of Xeen.
I click on download, then the download dialog pops up... and here comes the suggestion: after i select the location, the window i was in, ie "you have chosen to download..." changes to another window(notice the word changes).I don't mean a window pops up, since that could be denied by pop up blockers.So as i was saying, a blank window replaces the one before, and evaluates your connection.Once a certain connection speed is established, let's say 5 Kb/s, a script calculates the estimated download time, by deviding the total acrhive size by your connection speed.Now this is were the interesting part comes.After establishing the estimated time of download, the window changes from blank to a window that displays game info, ie curiosities regarding the game in hand.So as you are downloading, you can find out little things about the game.So why do you need the download time script? For each game there would be more than one window(each containing different information on the game).So say you have 5 windows, all of them containing game(world of xeen in this case) curiosities.The script would calculate the estimated time, and then devide the estimated time of download by the number of game windows.This result, in seconds, will be the amount each window stays on screen, before it is replaced by another window.Of course we should have some limitations.For example if you are on a 768kbps dsl
or on a 2mbps s2m, there would be no windows, unless the game size is larger than say 30 Mb.Of course this should be the case to all games.For example if you were to download a 400 K game, then unless your connection is slower than(or equal to) 56kbps modem, no curiosity window would ocur.This is to prevent windows apearing and instantly disapearing.
What do you think? And please don't brush it aside from the start on grounds of difficulty, please, at least, take a minute, and think about the result.It most surely would make a name for our site

It is original idea BUT: :tai:
a)Would it be even possible?
b)If yes, will admins take(probably a lot of) time to make it?
c)And again,there must be some people which will be supposed to find these curiosities etc....
(btw how many curiosities should actually pop-up if you download,let say 75 MB game? :blink: LOL )
Personally I like this idea, but it dont depend on me...

Well you have a predefined number of windows for each game, so it's not a matter of displaying 1 window per minute.As i said the window display time is related to your download speed.
EDIT: I'm sure it's possible, i've seen far more complex things done(just look at fileplanet's downloading system)
EDIT 2: The curiosity search could begin on mobygames, that's were i took my curiosity bits from :tomato:

about the open/save download message it's part of the Internet exploiter, and can't be altered (and you wouldn't want another 2 Meg Flash application bundled with each of your downloads, now would you?)

Edit: I'm serious about this par though.

I'm sorry, i forgot to write, but my message is only directed towards people who are serious, and who want to better the site.If you don't have a serious comment, then please abstain from posting.This is isn't the 3xblah section.

Thank you for understanding!

Okay, your opinion.And i respect it, because you found another way to put it.The way you put it the first time made you a little narrow-minded.I'm just saying we be a little more original.It never hurts to be innovative :ok:

EDIT: I double posted so you see i was not out to flame you

You mean people actually sit still and WATCH their downloads? :blink:

Personally, I browse the net if I am downloading something, or leave the computer and do something else.

I understand your thought. It's like those tid-bits you get from software installers, but it would be a SERIOUS amount of work to get this done. And I am not sure we have people with so much time, not to mention that it will slow down new updates as an updater would have to locate enough tid-bits to satisfy a 28 modem.

And of course... I am not sure it is even possible. :unsure:

I've carefuly retaught my previous statement, and I still think it caries some rational grain. you could post some curiosities (or links to those) in the begining of the games thread. that wouldn't tax your connection much, and the mechanism is allready developed. plus it might ifluence you additionaly for/against downloading the game.

The curiosities themselves are an interesting idea. They would probably belong more as an extra to the reviews part then elsewhere.

Some short stuff on the game, minor gameplay tips, info about the game's world or people who have worked on it's creation.

Small mini-frame that randomly loads one of the existing array referring to that game, but with a "show all" link that pops a new window with all the ones stored.

Example - Space Hulk

If someone wants to read a curiosity about a game, he/she will read the review! And reviewer will try to find out few curiosities.

I agree with :Tom: :
- it will take a lot of time (no doubt your idea is great)
- when I put something to download, I browse the web, too