PersonalCopy has moved to a new server - if you're reading this page, you're accessing it. Why did we move?

Increasingly of late I get questions about download speeds - and for good reason. The realities of free downloadable soundfonts, the size of the files, and the cost of bandwidth have always necessitated bandwidth limits - and they still do. But, I have been able to negotiate a new arrangement at the NOC to secure additional bandwidth - actually, 10 times what I previously had. To make better use of this bandwidth, I've built a new server.

I've also changed the way bandwidth is restricted. Instead of limiting the speed of the entire site, I am now only limiting the speed of the ftp server that provides the source files - but I am now also limiting the number of simultaneous connections. So, if you click on a download link and get a browser error message, it's not because there's anything wrong with the link - it's because the maximum number of users has been reached.

The solution? - Keep trying - as soon as a connection opens up, you'll  be able to download the file you want.

Also, you're limited to downloading only a single file at a time - to give everyone a chance - so wait until one file is done before attempting to download another - or you'll get a browser error message.

IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THE USE OF DOWNLOAD MANAGERS!!!

Some users are using "download managers" to attempt to speed up downloads. These software programs work by establishing, or attempting to establish, multiple connections to the same site to thwart the site's attempts to limit bandwidth to any one connection; the data downloaded from these multiple connections is recombined at the client's computer to form a complete file. At PersonalCopy, we consider this to be abusive behavior, and have taken some steps to discourage the use of download managers. Firstly, we have configured the server so that they don't work very well - you'll see only a slight improvement in download speed if you try using one - for a brief time. More importantly, if you download using one, your attempts to establish multiple connections are noted by the server, and if you persist, access to the soundfonts you're trying to download will be suspended; all downloads in progress will halt and time out, and new attempts to download files, or retry the halted downloads will fail. This will happen automatically. You can still browse the site, but you can't download anything. After a couple of days, your access will be restored - if you come back, disable your download manager or it will happen to you again.

You will see another warning when you get to the download page - please heed the advice and disable your download manager. We see many users' efforts fail because they have attempted to download files using a download manager, and they keep coming back and fail subsequent times. Don't waste your time - disable your download manager now!