Automating downloads with FlexGet
Media Miner
Take the strain out of downloading content from the Internet with FlexGet. Thanks to plugins, you can customize the tool to meet your requirements.
Your *nix operating system comes with a large selection of tools (e.g., cron) for handling recurring tasks, such as launching scripts at specific times; however, a number of other specialist tools can help the user in other areas as well. The FlexGet [1] Python tool specializes in automating Torrent, Usenet, podcast, comics, movie, and series downloads. To do so, it relies on RSS feeds [2], HTML pages, and CSV file sources. A graphical user interface [3] is currently on the development roadmap, but the current offering is still fairly rudimentary.
FlexGet gets much of its functionality from plugins [4]. The software tool initially requires some fairly complex configuration work, but once you have understood the principle and automated various applications, it will save you a huge amount of time. As an example, I show you how I can download episodes of a series from the German ZDF Mediathek site.
Installation
The first step is to install FlexGet. It is a good idea to type python -V upfront to make sure you have at least Python version 2.6 or 2.7 on your system. To set up FlexGet, you can then use the Python Pip tool, which you might also need to install (Listing 1).
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
openSUSE Joins End of 10
openSUSE has decided to not only join the End of 10 movement but it also will no longer support the Deepin Desktop Environment.
-
New Version of Flatpak Released
Flatpak 1.16.1 is now available as the latest, stable version with various improvements.
-
IBM Announces Powerhouse Linux Server
IBM has unleashed a seriously powerful Linux server with the LinuxONE Emperor 5.
-
Plasma Ends LTS Releases
The KDE Plasma development team is doing away with the LTS releases for a good reason.
-
Arch Linux Available for Windows Subsystem for Linux
If you've ever wanted to use a rolling release distribution with WSL, now's your chance.
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.