Vuze

Vuze

Developer(s)	Vuze, Inc.
Initial release	June 2003; 7 years ago (2003-06)
Development status	Active
Written in	Java
Operating system	Cross-platform
Platform	Java
Size	8.45 mb
Available in	Multilingual (52 Languages)
Type	BitTorrent client
License	Modified GNU General Public License (core) Proprietary (platform)
Website	https://www.vuze.com/

Vuze (previously Azureus) is a BitTorrent client used to transfer files via the BitTorrent protocol. Azureus is written in Java, and uses the Azureus Engine. In addition to downloading data linked to by .torrent files, Azureus allows users to view, publish and share original DVD and HD quality video content.^[1] Content is presented through channels and categories containing TV shows, music videos, movies, video games and others. Additionally, if users prefer to publish their original content, they may earn money from it.

Azureus was first released in June 2003 at SourceForge.net, mostly to experiment with the Standard Widget Toolkit from Eclipse. It later became one of the most popular BitTorrent clients.^[2] The Azureus software was released under the GNU General Public License, and remains as a freeware software application. However, the Vuze software added in more recent versions is proprietary and users are required to accept these more restrictive license terms in order to install current versions of the BitTorrent client.

Overview

Vuze (classic UI) statistics page

Features

Azureus platform-specific

Azureus supports the following Azureus Platform specific features:

• Ability to share torrents between friends and receive "friend boosts."
• Browsing and downloading high quality official and/or original content on the Azureus Network.
• Chatting between friends.
• Advanced comments and ratings.
• Content search.
• Publishing content.
• Exporting media directly to external devices.

Classic and Azureus-specific

Vuze/Azureus "swarm view" visualizes the incoming and outgoing torrent connections in real-time.

Azureus also supports the following cross-interface features:

• Specification of maximum upload and download speeds.
• Opening files within the program.
• DHT tracking for when a tracker is down/unavailable. (Distributed Database, a.k.a. "Azureus DHT")
• Torrent creation.
• Encryption support.
• Peer exchange and magnet URI.
• Superseeding.
• Comments and ratings.
• Proxy settings.
• Ability to use I2P and Tor.
• Multiple UI
• Detailed Statistics.
• Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Modes.
• Detailed Settings.
• Selective downloading/download priority.
• Default Port: 52870

Interface

Main Azureus interface

Since version 3.0, Azureus starts with the main Vuze interface, designed to promote Vuze content. Here, you can browse media on the Vuze Network, share torrents with friends, and chat. Everything from the classic UI is still available, although hidden, under the vuze interface (see below). Vuze requires a registered account to gain access to certain content on the Vuze Network.

Classic interface

Vuze swarm feature (shown in Classic UI)

Users upgrading from previous versions will automatically keep the classic interface. For those who are installing for the first time or re-installing, it is possible to bypass the Vuze layer by going to Tools>Options, Interface>Start> and selecting "Classic Interface" from the VUZE UI Chooser.

The main noticeable difference between the classic interface and the main interface is the header and footer. In addition, Vuze Network features are unavailable.

While downloading a file under the classic or advanced interface, the user can view several different statistics including:^[3]

• Current download and upload speeds and estimated time remaining.
• The percentage of each file completed and information on the "pieces" (small parts of the complete file) still needed including the piece number and availability.
• File names, sizes and levels of completion for specific files within the download directory.
• Peer data including IP addresses, the speeds at which you are downloading and uploading to/from them, the port they are running BitTorrent on, and the BitTorrent client they are using.
• The total and average "swarm speeds."
• Advanced statistics including ratio, overall upload/download, session upload/download, network, upload/download limit estimate, cache activity, and distributed database details.

Advanced interface

The "advanced" interface is a mix between the classic and main interface. Noticeable differences include a change of header and footer, and the preservation of the Vuze Network layer. It can be changed via the UI chooser, or by clicking advanced in the Vuze/Main UI.

Plugins

Azureus also offers a range of plugins including, (but not limited to):

• Auto Speed
• Advanced Statistics
• Mainline DHT
• 3D View
• SMS Notifications
• Country Locator
• FireFrog
• HTML Web UI
• Jython
• Ono
• ProgressBar
• RSS Downloader
• Speed Scheduler
• Status Mailer

A complete list can be seen here ^[4]

History

Azureus release history

Azureus

Azureus

Azureus was first released in June 2003 at SourceForge.net. The blue poison dart frog (Dendrobates azureus) was chosen as the logo and named by co-creator Tyler Pitchford. This choice was due to Latin names of poison dart frogs being used as codenames for his development projects.

Vuze

In 2006 "Vuze" was released as an attempt to transform the client into a "social" client by a group of the original developers forming Azureus Inc., shortly to be renamed Vuze, Inc. A Vuze-free version of Azureus was released along with Vuze during the beta period. The releases used version numbers 3.0, while the Vuze-free versions continued with the 2.5 release numbers. The first reaction to the change was met with confusion, because of this.^[7] In addition, some of the developers voiced opposition to the idea of completely transforming the client. Starting with an unknown version, Vuze was coupled with Azureus. Soon after, "NoVuze" modified versions were released on The Pirate Bay, and as of September 15, are available for versions up to 3.1.1.0. On June 16, 2008, the developers of Azureus/Vuze decided to stop releasing versions named Azureus, and complete the name change with the release of version 3.1. The client engine however, remains unchanged as Azureus.

License change

Up to version 2.5.0.4, Azureus was distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL); beginning with the version 3 distribution, the license presented upon installation changed. While it still states that the "Azureus Application" is available under the GPL, completing installation requires the user to agree to the terms of the "Vuze Platform," which include restrictions on use, reverse-engineering,^[8] and sublicensing.^[9] As with many similar licenses, the Azureus licence includes a prohibition on use of the software by people "under the age of 18."^[10] Allegedly, the TOS only applies to the website, vuze.com, and not the software,^[11] however the actual TOS include the application as part of the platform.^[12]

Vuze To Go

In May 2009, Vuze collaborated with company named Ceedo and created a portable version Vuze called Vuze To Go; however, this portable version is not free.

Criticism

Vuze is categorized as Adware by Softpedia,^[13] due to its inclusion of a Vuze Toolbar for web browsers. The toolbar is an optional component of the installation and is not required for the program's operation. The toolbar can also be uninstalled at any time if ever installed by the user.^[14][15][16]

CNET says Vuze is "bloated but happy," but still rates the application with a perfect Editor's Rating score of 5 out of 5 stars.^[17]

Due to alleged problems with incorrect statistics reporting and users' frequent use of modified versions for ratio cheating, Vuze is often disliked on private trackers. In February 2010, two of the largest music trackers decided to ban the use of Vuze by their members.^[18] It is uncertain whether others will follow suit.

Vuze includes built-in support for Tor (The Onion Router), an anonymity network. The onion routers are run by volunteers using their own bandwidth at their own cost. Due to the high bandwidth usage caused by the BitTorrent protocol, it is considered impolite and inappropriate by Tor community members to use the Tor network for BitTorrent transfers.^[19][20] By default, the Tor exit policy blocks the standard BitTorrent ports.^[21]

See also

• Comparison of BitTorrent clients
• BitTorrent
• FrostWire (uses Azureus core BitTorrent engine)
• μTorrent

Notes

External links

• Official Vuze Site
• Azureus/Vuze Website on Sourceforge
• Azureus/Vuze wiki
• Azureus project page on SourceForge