[development] GSoC?: Mirroring / download improvements with Metalink

[Anthony Bryan]

Hi,

There was some discussion [1] last year about Metalink (which list
mirrors & checksums for download programs). Since then, support has
been added to KGet in KDE and DownThemAll!, a Firefox extension. What
we are missing is things to make it easier for projects to make the
simple XML .metalinks.

I know this is late, but if anyone is interested, we'd be willing to
co-mentor if needed, and fund development of this (if not accepted for
GSoC).

A brief overview of Metalink:
"Metalink solves the first problem -- how to find the most speedy way
to download a file -- by grouping different download protocols into
one protocol. This enables Metalink clients to automatically switch
between different mirror servers without explicit user instructions.
Not only multiple server information is described but also meta-data
(e.g., the location of the server, document tags and license)."
Geospatial Semantic Web

Some basic features the information in a metalink can be used for:

    * Listing multiple mirrors for higher availability.
    * Automatic error recovery and repair of corrupted downloads.
    * Describe mirror location and priority for automated and efficient use.
    * More information about a download for users.
    * Add a file or multiple files to a download queue.

-- 
(( Anthony Bryan ... Metalink [ http://www.metalinker.org ]
 )) Easier, More Reliable, Self Healing Downloads

[1]
http://lists.drupal.org/archives/development/2007-03/msg00011.html
http://groups.drupal.org/node/3647