Downloading items from the Internet is a daily task for an average Linux user. There are numerous Linux download managers available, each offering unique features and functionalities. Today, we will discuss one such download manager called Varia.
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What is Varia?
Varia is a simple yet powerful download manager designed to seamlessly integrate with the GNOME desktop environment. Varia utilizes aria2, a robust download utility, to handle downloads efficiently.
Varia uses GTK4 and Libadwaita to create a user-friendly interface that blends quite well with the GNOME DE. With Varia, users can easily manage their downloads within the GNOME environment.
Varia is a free, open-source application written in Python. You can find its source code on GitHub, and it's licensed under the Mozilla Public License 2.0.
Varia Features
Varia offers a range of essential features to enhance the download management experience:
- Continuing incomplete downloads: Varia allows users to resume unfinished downloads from previous sessions, ensuring that interrupted downloads can be easily picked up without starting over.
- Pause/Cancel all downloads: Users can conveniently pause or cancel all ongoing downloads at once.
- Speed limit setting: Varia enables users to set download speed limits, allowing them to manage bandwidth usage according to their preferences or network constraints.
- Authentication support: Varia supports authentication with a username and password, ensuring secure access to downloads that require login credentials.
- Simultaneous download settings: Users can specify the number of simultaneous downloads allowed, optimizing bandwidth usage and download efficiency according to their needs.
- Download directory customization: Varia allows users to define the download directory, providing flexibility in organizing and managing downloaded files.
Install Varia Download Manager in Linux
The officially recommended way to install Varia is via Flathub.
Ensure you have Flatpak and the Flathub repository set up on your system.
Run the following command in your terminal to install Varia from Flathub:
$ flatpak install flathub io.github.giantpinkrobots.varia
If you're using Arch Linux and other Arch-based systems, you can also install Varia via the AUR. You can use an AUR helper like paru or yay or manually download the PKGBUILD and compile it.
$ paru -S varia
Or,
$ yay -S varia
How to use Varia to Download Files
Launch Varia from the Application launcher or Menu. If you prefer command line, you can run the following command to open Varia Download manager from your Terminal:
$ flatpak run io.github.giantpinkrobots.varia
This is how the main interface of Varia download manager looks like:
As you can see, Varia's interface is very simple and straightforward and consists of four tabs:
- URL: In this tab, users can enter the download link to initiate a new download.
- All: This tab displays a comprehensive list of all downloads, including those in progress and completed.
- In Progress: Here, users can monitor downloads that are currently in progress, providing real-time status updates.
- Completed: The Completed tab showcases downloads that have finished successfully, allowing users to easily access and manage their completed files.
To download a file, simply copy and paste its URL in the URL box and click "Download" button.
Similarly, you can add as many files as you want. By default, Varia can perform 5 concurrent downloads. You can adjust this value from the 'Preferences' window.
Preferences
To access Varia's preferences, users can click on the gear button located in the top-left corner of the interface. This action opens the preferences window, where users can customize various settings according to their preferences. Within this window, users can:
- Change Download Destination: Define the directory where downloads will be saved.
- Set Speed Limit: Specify a maximum download speed to manage bandwidth usage.
- Configure Authentication: Set up username and password for authenticated downloads.
- Adjust Simultaneous Download Amount: Define the number of downloads that can occur concurrently. The default value is 5, but users can adjust this according to their needs.
There is also a Hamburger Icon which provide quick access to the following actions:
- Cancel All Downloads: This button allows users to cancel all ongoing downloads with a single click, providing a convenient way to halt multiple downloads simultaneously.
- Open Download Folder: Clicking this button opens the download folder directly, allowing users to access their downloaded files without navigating through the file system manually.
- About Varia: Selecting this option displays information about Varia, including its version, contributors, and any relevant details about the application. It provides users with insight into the software and its development.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: Varia is a download manager designed for the GNOME desktop environment. It helps users efficiently manage their downloads by providing essential features and seamless integration with GNOME.
A: Varia provides basic download management features such as resuming incomplete downloads, pausing/canceling all downloads at once, setting speed limits, authentication support, specifying simultaneous download amounts, and customizing the download directory.
A: You can install Varia using Flatpak from Flathub. Simply run the command flatpak install flathub io.github.giantpinkrobots.varia in your terminal. Alternatively, for Arch Linux users, Varia is available in the AUR.
A: Yes, Varia comes with a graphical user interface built using GTK4 and Libadwaita. This interface provides a user-friendly experience that integrates well with the GNOME desktop.
A: Yes, Varia is free and open-source software written in Python. It is licensed under the Mozilla Public License 2.0, which allows users to view, modify, and distribute the source code freely.
Conclusion
Varia is a handy tool for managing downloads on your GNOME system. Not just GNOME, it works well on any Linux system that supports flatpak.
Its easy-to-use interface and helpful features make downloading files a breeze. Plus, it fits right in with the look and feel of your GNOME desktop, making it a great choice for anyone who wants a smooth downloading experience.
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