Skip Checkout in Magento for a downloadable product

Question

I am using Magento to build an eBooks site. For the release, we plan to have a number of free downloadable books. We were hoping that it would be possible to use the normal Magento 'catalog' functionality to add categories with products underneath. However, since these are free downloadable products, it doesn't really make sense to send users through the checkout when they try to download.

Does anyone know of a way to create a free downloadable product which bypasses the checkout altogether? I have noticed that there is a 'free sample' option for downloadable products, but I would prefer not to use this if I can as I plan to use this field for its intended purpose when I add paid products.

[EDIT] I have noticed that some of you have voted this question down for 'lack of question clarity'. For clarity, I want:

1. to know if it is possible to create a downloadable product in Magento which doesn't require users to go through the usual checkout process (since it is free)
2. and which is not the 'Free Sample' field of a downloadable product

Unfortunately I don't think I can ask this any more eloquently. [/EDIT]

Answer 1

This code will allow logged-in customers to "place an order" for a Free, Virtual product while bypassing checkout and redirect them straight to the My Downloads section of their account.

Add the following line to your catalog/product/list.phtml in the spot you want it.

<?php if($_product->isVirtual() && $_product->getFinalPrice()==0) { ?>
                <a href="/modulename/checkout/purchase/id/<?php echo $_product->getId()?>"><?php echo $this->__('Download and Install') ?></a>
            <?php } ?>

Then create a new module with a controllers/CheckoutController.php containing this code:

public function purchaseAction() {
if (!Mage::getSingleton('customer/session')->isLoggedIn()) {
        $this->_redirectUrl(Mage::getBaseUrl().'customer/account');
        return;
 }
 $request = $this->getRequest();
 $id = $request->getParam('id');
 $product = Mage::getModel('catalog/product')
                ->load($id)
                ->setStoreId(Mage::app()->getStore()->getId());
 if(!($product->getIsVirtual() && $product->getFinalPrice() == 0)){
     Mage::getSingleton('checkout/session')->addError($this->__('Method only available for Free Downloadable Items'));
     return $this;
 }
 $onepage = Mage::getSingleton('checkout/type_onepage');
 /* @var $onepage Mage_Checkout_Model_Type_Onepage */
 try{
     $quote = $onepage->getQuote();
     /* @var $quote Mage_Sales_Model_Quote */
     $quote->addProduct($product);
     Mage::getSingleton('checkout/session')->setCartWasUpdated(true);
     $onepage->initCheckout();
     $payment=array('method'=>'free');
     $onepage->savePayment($payment);   
     $onepage->saveOrder();
     $this->getResponse()->setRedirect('/downloadable/customer/products');
 }
 catch(Exception $e){
     $result = $e->getMessage();
     Mage::getSingleton('checkout/session')->addError($result);
 }
 }

You'll need to handle the Exceptions a little better, but that should be functionally correct.