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SkyNet is used for offline data downloading via satellite. Older versions were used as a module for the DVB player ProgDVB, but newer versions already work independently. There are several providers on different satellites, but probably the best — though less known — is SkyDSL on the Telecom 2D satellite at 8° West. Other providers are for example: Alice, HSI on Astra 19, EON, OpenSky, Netstream on Eutelsat 7E, something on Sirius, etc… I last experimented with SkyNet version 085.7. I won’t go into too much detail here; I will only describe how to start it. Make sure you are tuned to some satellite, for example Eutelsat W3A 7E (I also forgot to mention that the downloaded zip only needs to be unpacked into a directory, e.g. c:/SkyNet). Open that directory and you will see a few files. We are interested in the file SKYNET.INI — open it with F4 and scroll all the way down. There you will find the lines:

# Set your location for download.
[disk]
min_free_space = 100M
disk=e:\
dir_temp=e:\SS2 Data\Temp
dir_ok=e:\SS2 Data\OK

Either set it exactly as shown here — meaning create the directory SS2 Data and inside it create the subdirectories Temp and OK — or configure it according to your own setup. Don’t forget the drive letter. Without this, the data will have nowhere to be saved. Then in the SkyNet directory click on the file EdNet.exe.

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A window opens (see image). We can see that some providers are already preconfigured (of course, new providers can be added, but I think the best ones are already included). So choose for example EON 7E and confirm with the SkyNet button. The program will start and data should slowly begin saving to the hard drive (see image above). The window shows basic information: number of connected users, speed, written data, saved files, etc… The program is controlled using keyboard shortcuts, but I will write about that next time when I have more time. You can download it in the download section.

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