SKDownloader originated from the non-availability of a good download accelerator/manager for Linux. The main feature of SKDownloader is acceleration. The full file is divided into chunks and each chunk is downloaded with a separate connection (multiple connections will run in parallel) for every download where ever feasible.
Most of the time, download speed tends to go slow due to busy servers. Suppose you have a 200Kbps internet connection and the server is only able to serve the file at 50Kbps, SKDownloader breaks the file into four parts creates four simultaneous connections for each part. Data comes in at 50Kbps from each connection there by downloading the file at 50*4=200Kbps maximizing your bandwidth usage.
SKDownoader is built using Java. Hence you need to have the latest Java runtim enviromnent(JRE 6.0) installed in your machine to run SKDownloader. Java can be easily downloaded here
SKDownloader was initially started as a C++ project. But as development progressed, the need for cross platform compatibility came into consideration and the tool was re-written in Java which is available on almost all platforms in existence now. So SKDownloader can be run anywhere with the same look, feel and performance.
No, the graphical interface for Linux also has the command line interface inbuilt. If SKDownloader is invoked with out passing any options, it will bring up the graphical interface. If any options are passed, it will use the command line interface. You can easily use SKDownloader for downloads in scripts without having to install the command line version seperately.
This is for environments where Linux does not have a graphical interface. In such minimalistic installation, the command line version can be used.
Command line interface is not supported for Windows currently.
The ads displayed are simple html pages with only images (gif/png/jpg). No active content is present in the ads. This is absolutely nothing more than a simple ad dispalyed in a web page. Ads are gurarenteed to be spyware/virus free. Also, since no active content can run including javascript, no side effects from the ads will result.
SKDownloader is completely a freeware. You can download it and use freely without modifying either part or full. For details, please refer to license document here.