System, method and computer program product for initiating a software download

摘要

A system, method, and computer program product are disclosed for initiating a software download. A page of a web site is accessed via a network utilizing a browser application running on a client computer. A plug-in application is included the page of the web site. Next, it is determined whether the client computer is suitable for receiving the plug-in application. If the client computer is determined to be suitable for receiving the plug-in application, then the plug-in application is downloaded from the web site to the client computer via the network. This plug-in application has instructions for downloading a download manager application to the client computer via the network. The download manager application is subsequently downloaded to the client computer via the network utilizing the plug-in application. The download manager application has instructions for downloading a software application in chunks to the client computer via the network. The software application is then downloaded in chunks to the client computer via the network utilizing the download manager application.