Simplest way to limit single user download amount?
 

Can I just put something in .htaccess? ? ?
I'd like to limit single user download per X minutes

No, you can't just put something in .htaccess. You also have to consider that a large percentage of single downloads are accomplished by the browser or download manager getting dozens of chunks independently - maybe twenty downloads to get one copy of one file. Then think about this - the browser has to download your logo in order to display it. Every html page, every thumbnail image, every css file is a download. So actually accomplishing your business goal, doing what you mean, is non-trivial.

It can be trivial for YOU. You can just fill out the Throttlebox order form because we've already done the difficult parts.

That is an AWESOME idea. Make a legal, paid for site a far worse experience than a piracy site or tube. That is SURE to make people want to stay!

Why not put an annoyed FBI warning that lasts 3 minutes and you cannot skip before all the videos too?

Sigh.

It will stop people downloading the whole site in a few hours or days, cancelling the recurring membership and not bothering to rejoin for months.

It also curbs pirates who join a site, or hack into it or password trade, download the lot and put it up for free. you know the kids on Usenet who do it for the laughs. you seem to know a lot about them.

OP this is all you need to know.

Genuine members know why the throttle is in place and never complain. They dislike free loaders more than some who pretend to be in the business. Many big sites use Throttlebox or a similar tool. Ray is a first class guy to work with.

I think putting a reasonable limit on downloaded gigs per 24 hours would be a good way to go. Put the limit high enough that it doesn't effect people who are actually looking at content, only those who are trying to rip the entire members area.