Here's a question/ issue for everyone: When adding something in the Free Stuff- which is "better" for the user, when they click the "Download" button? Should they just receive the zip (or sit or whatever) file or should you take them to the 'downloads' page on your site? If you let the user get the zip file, they get the item immediately. However, if you take the user to your download page, they can see all the other stuff you have available (and may spend time reading your site). Any thoughts or ideas? --John

Either way as far as I'm concerned, though I must admit I've learned about a lot of cool sites on site links, and of course that doesn't necessarily happen on a straight download.

But you also sometimes get up to 25 cookies, I have counted them as I have refused them. That can be annoying as hell. Marque

I prefer going to the page, because some folks don't put everything up in freestuff, or I might have missed something from past years. There are often also bits of story or poetry or a brief bio which helps me to know more about the creator. I like that. However, if the page has 2 dozen cookies I won't be back, no matter what is offered. Carolly

I like going to the page. Usually... not always, they will have a copy of their readme file up so I can read it BEFORE sucking my limited isp downloadable limit. That and you find other gems hidden away. I'm not cookie paranoid so they don't bug me.

I like going to the page. I have found many wonderful sites that way. Even if it is a direct download, if they have a page link I usually go to it anyway.

I like going to the page and seeing works I never woulda seen. Bugs me though if the thing I went after is hard to find. Beav

I definitely prefer going to the page, there is often more information about a particular download there and I like to see the other things on the site! Not that I'm complaining when it's free....thanx :-)

Generally, I prefer to get the download itself. However, if the link goes goes to the actual page that has the download, the page isn't packed with a huge list with tiny thumbnails or worse, no thumbs at all, and the site has nice, readable, intuitive navigation, then I'm OK with it.

I dond't mind going to a web page as long as those gosh-durn pop-up windows don't start sprouting everywhere. No pop-ups and I'll go... ...otherwise I prefer downloading. asp1vip1

I prefer just getting the download because three times I've had a freestuff link take me to a website that tried to install gator's spyware on my computer (possibly unknown to them since gator does this through third party ad companies too), and one that tried to change my homepage to some sleezeball Overture affiliate search page. This makes me wary of people linking to sites instead of files since freestuff links are rarely, if ever, reviewed by rosity.

Beyond that, I don't really mind being taken to a website if the link goes to the downloads page or that page is obvious to find from the menu links. However, if your site is going to bomb me with pop ups, cookies, or the more sleezy tricks mentioned above I'd just as soon not have your freestuff.

I'd rather get a direct link to the file. My freestuff has to link to the page because its Tripod. I used to link to the files but they kept people from downloading. Tripod has an option to turn off the pop-up ad(s), I clicked that(putting their BS banner on the top of my page) just to get a different pop-up that I can't turn off. I emailed them about it months ago---still no reply. As far as cookies go I dont know how many cookies my tripod page generates. I always accept all cookies then delete them at the end of the day...

I don't mine going to there page if these conditions exist: No Popups the link is direct to the download page and my download manager works on the DL, php and asp linking sucks for some downloads managers.

I prefer a link directly to the download because 9 out of 10 times I've clicked and was taken to a website, I had to click thru numerous pages to find the download...that's real aggaravating...I do prefer their website link is under their post because I will usually go there if it is....but I'm going to browse not hunt for the offered download.

I prefer a link because IE refuses to download the freestuff for me. ...I just get a downloaded EZ file, and have to download from netscape, which runs really slow on my computer. So it's nice not to have to open up a diff. browser.

Attached Link: http://205.122.23.229/ronknights/

I've offered downloads for several months. I recently switched everything so you go to my Freebie and Download site. There are no cookies, and you don't need to do anything difficult to find what you want. Right now, there are 2 sections clearly listed: Freebies & Tutorials. Just make your choice. I like it this way because you have the best chance of seeing everthing up-to-date. I am sometimes too busy to let everyone know about my latest project, etc. I do not believe in cookies, or any other inconveniences.

Puca, can you just change the ez extension and have it work? I'm using Mozilla since IE committed suicide on me, and it tends to download things as CoolFreebie.zip.php or whatever, but if I take off the php extension in Explorer, it's just fine.

Either is fine with me, but I do hate searching a web site for the file.

no...it actually downloads an IE page full of code, always entitled, "EZ Download", no zip at all. I've tried a million things...and while there's prolly a way to fix this weird thing, I have yet to find it.

hi - as i offer downloads i provide a link to the appropriate download site, with the newst items on the top. so i generate traffic and the guest my find other usefull items. but the disadvantage for me is, that i can't track each individual download. (have no access to logfiles at the moment) as a user searching for downloads it may be more convenient to get just the zip file. but often you miss very interesting sites. so i think both can have advantages and disadvantages. joe :)

My opinion: It's up to the artist. Happy to get them either way. One comment with a download page: DEATH TO POP-UPS!!! They're as bad a spam (especially when there's a bunch) and almost as bad as the bozos (no offense to proffesional clowns out there) who call you at dinner time trying to sell vinyl siding.