Python Gutenberg E-text Project

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4. Downloading E-texts

PyGETS allows e-texts to be downloaded from the Project Gutenberg web site, or one of many worldwide mirror sites, to the user's computer. Downloading is performed while all four data categories are visible in the main contents display area (View All mode), as illustrated in the figure below.

4.1. Selecting Items

In order to identify e-texts to be downloaded, items from the contents display area must be selected. Selected items will be visually highlighted for easy identification.

4.1.1. Single e-text

Items can be selected one at a time by placing the mouse cursor over them and left clicking with the mouse. Each single selection will automatically unselect any previously selected items.

4.1.2. Multiple e-texts

More than one item can be actively selected at the same time. Additional items can be added to currently selected items by placing the mouse cursor over them and left clicking with the mouse while simultaneously holding down the Ctrl key on the keyboard. Selections performed while holding down the Ctrl key do not result in currently active selections being unselected.

4.2. Download

E-texts can be downloaded from Project Gutenberg in two standard formats, plain text and zipped text files. Plain text files can be read by many text editors and word processors. Zipped text files are compressed versions of plain text files which are considerably smaller in size, but require decompression before they can be read.

4.2.1. Plain text

Button control. After items have been selected in the contents display area, the plain text version can be downloaded by clicking on the Download button located beneath the display area.

Popup menu command. Alternatively, an equivalent popup menu command can be invoked by right mouse clicking within the contents display area and clicking on the Download entry.

If a single item has been selected, the download process will begin by presenting a file locator dialog box that can be used to select a file name for the downloaded e-text. The default name will be the name used by Project Gutenberg for that e-text file. The download process will only proceed when the OK button of the dialog is clicked.

If multiple items have been selected, the download process will begin by presenting a directory locator dialog box that can be used to select a location where all selected items will be placed. Each e-text will be given the name used by Project Gutenberg for that e-text file. The download process will only proceed when the OK of the dialog is clicked.

4.2.2. Zipped text

Button control. Downloads of zipped text versions are performed similarly to the process for plain text downloads described above, but are initiated with the Download as Zip button.

Popup menu command. Alternatively, an equivalent popup menu command can be invoked by right mouse clicking within the contents display area and clicking on the Download as Zip entry.