LimeWire
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| LimeWire | |
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| Developed by | Lime Wire LLC |
| Initial release | 2000 |
| Stable release | 4.18.1 / 30th May 2008 [+/−] |
| Preview release | None [+/−] |
| Written in | Java |
| Platform | Cross-platform |
| Available in | 23 Languages |
| Genre | File sharing |
| License | GNU General Public License |
| Website | http://www.limewire.org/ http://www.limewire.com/ |
LimeWire is a peer-to-peer file sharing (P2P) client for the Java Platform, which uses the Gnutella network to locate files as well as share files. Released under the GNU General Public License, LimeWire is free software. It also encourages the user to pay a fee, which will then give the user access to LimeWire PRO. Recently Limewire opened its own store.
As of May 31, 2008, Limewire for Windows total downloads reached 147,396,768 [1]
As with all file-sharing programs, using LimeWire to download or upload copyrighted files without permission from the authors is generally illegal. Using it to distribute files with permission from the authors, or files that are out of copyright, is generally legal. For more information, see File sharing and the law.
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[edit] Features
Written in the Java programming language, LimeWire is able to run on any computer with Java Virtual Machine installed. Installers are provided for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. Support for Mac OS 9 and other previous versions was dropped with the release of LimeWire 4.0.10. From version 4.8 onwards, LimeWire works as a UPnP Internet Gateway Device controller insofar that it can automatically set up packet-forwarding rules with UPnP-capable routers.
LimeWire offers the sharing of its library through Digital Audio Access Protocol. As such, when LimeWire is running and configured to allow it, any files shared will be detectable on the local network by DAAP-enabled devices (e.g., iTunes).
[edit] Limitations
- LimeWire limits queries to 3 - 30 characters. This prohibits searches for specific files. This limitation also means that the network will return more results than necessary.[2]
- LimeWire does not forward SHA-1 searches, which find exact copies of files. Magnet links use SHA-1 searches, which can also be used to find more sources for a download.
- Like all Gnutella clients, LimeWire uses SHA-1 and tiger tree hash cryptographic hash functions to ensure that downloaded data is uncompromised. Researchers have identified theoretical weaknesses in the SHA-1 algorithm.[3] A 'vulnerability' in SHA-1 suggests that it may, at some future time, be possible to crack SHA-1, which would allow files to be spoofed (mis-described) on the network. In practice bogus search results are more problematic. [4]
[edit] Versions
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It has been suggested that Acquisition (software) and Cabos be merged into this article or section. (Discuss) |
Lime Wire LLC, the New York City based developer of LimeWire, distributes two versions of the program; a basic version for free, and an enhanced version, LimeWire PRO, sold for a fee of US$21.95, with 6 months of updates or 1 year of updates for $34.95.[5] The company claims the paid version provides faster downloads and 66% better search results. This is accomplished by facilitating direct connection with up to 10 hosts of an identical searched file at any one time, whereas the free version is limited to a maximum of 8 hosts.[6] Prior to April 2004, the free version of LimeWire was distributed with a bundled program called LimeShop (a variant of TopMoxie), which was considered by computer security experts to be spyware. Among other things, LimeShop monitored online purchases in order to redirect sales commissions to Lime Wire LLC. Uninstallation of LimeWire would not remove LimeShop. With the removal of all bundled software in LimeWire 3.9.4 (released on April 20, 2004), these objections were addressed.[7]
Being free software, LimeWire has spawned several forks, including LionShare, an experimental software development project at Penn State University, and Acquisition, a Mac OS X–based Gnutella client with a proprietary interface. Researchers at Cornell University developed a reputation management add-in called Credence that allows users to distinguish between "genuine" and "suspect" files before downloading them. An October 12, 2005 report states that some of LimeWire's free and open source software contributors have forked the project and called it FrostWire.[8] The makers of the LimeWire software have now installed a security device that can track most viruses in files.
LimeWire was the first file sharing program to support firewall-to-firewall file transfers, a feature introduced in version 4.2, which was released in November 2004. LimeWire also now includes BitTorrent support, but is limited to 3 Torrent-uploads and 3 Torrent-downloads, which coexist with ordinary downloads.
[edit] Business model
LimeWire LLC generates its revenues from the sale of LimeWire PRO, and items such as t-shirts and caps, which display the LimeWire logo. A LimeWire PRO license costs $13.95, and provides the user with a 6 month license to download updated PRO versions. A 1-year "Extended PRO" license is available for $34.95. While commonly mistaken by many users to be a license to the content accessible via LimeWire on the Gnutella network, in fact, it is only a license to the software.
The PRO version offers some improvements over the Basic version:
- It offers personalized technical support.
- It provides more search results by connecting to 5 UltraPeers instead of 3 UltraPeers.
- It comes with extra skins, including a special "PRO-only" skin.
- It allows downloads to come simultaneously from 10 peers rather than only 8.
[edit] Criticism
LimeWire has experienced several trials of criticism. According to a June 2005 report in The New York Times, Lime Wire LLC was considering ceasing distributing LimeWire due to the outcome of MGM v. Grokster.[9]
Gregory Thomas Kopiloff of Seattle was arrested on September 7, 2007 in what the U.S. Justice Department described as its first case against someone accused of using file-sharing computer programs to commit identity theft. According to federal prosecutors, Kopiloff used LimeWire to search other people's computers for inadvertently shared financial information and then using it to obtain credit cards for an online shopping spree. [10]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Advanced Peer-Based Technology Business Models. MIT Sloan School of Management (2002).
- Silverthorne, Sean (2004). Music Downloads: Pirates- or Customers?. Harvard Business School Working Knowledge.
[edit] Notes
- ^ http://www.download.com/3120-20_4.html?qt=limewire&tag=srch&tg=dl-20
- ^ LimeWire search limits.
- ^ Felten, Edward W (2004). SHA1 Break Rumored. Freedom To Tinker Discussion Forum. Retrieved on 2005-07-08.
- ^ Content Pollution and Poisoning
- ^ Lime Wire PRO
- ^ Lime Wire » Download LimeWire
- ^ Lime Wire » Features History
- ^ "FrostWire Beta Released", from Slyck.com
- ^ Zeller, Tom. Sharing Culture Likely to Pause but Not Wither. New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-04-15.
- ^ U.S. arrest puts spotlight on file-sharing risk
[edit] External links
- LimeWire Official Website
- LimeWire Official Blogs
- LimeWire linked to Identity Theft
- LimeWire Bears Brunt of Identity Theft Concerns
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