Re: die zombie downloads die die die!

I consider it a feature.  Wget was designed specifically for
downloading in the background; it catches the hangup signal to it
knows not to write to the (now defunct) terminal.  The idea is for
downloads in SSH/telnet/modem sessions to keep running if the user is
accidentally disconnected.

If I understand you correctly, you're closing the terminal by pressing
the "x" button in the top-right corner while Wget is running.  If so,
why?  Isn't it better to interrupt Wget by pressing ^C?  IIRC many
programs get confused if you cut the terminal from under them.