This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Tannin (talk | contribs) at 22:00, 6 July 2005 (it is factual, it is documented, it stays in). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 22:00, 6 July 2005 by Tannin (talk | contribs) (it is factual, it is documented, it stays in)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)| File:LimeWire Professional.pngLimeWire 4.9.0 interface under Windows | |
| Developer(s) | LimeWire LLC |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 4.9.0 / June 22nd, 2005 |
| Operating system | Cross-platform |
| Type | file sharing |
| License | GPL |
| Website | www.limewire.org www.limewire.com |
LimeWire is a free and open source Gnutella peer-to-peer network client released under the GNU General Public License which until recently was "distributed with many spyware/adware products bundled in" and is well-known to computer experts as a source of computer problems.
The program allows users to share files using the Gnutella peer-to-peer protocol. It 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 is written in Java and hence runs on any computer with the Java virtual machine installed. To facilitate installation for casual users, the developers release installation packages for Microsoft Windows, the Mac, and for Linux, in rpm format.
The Windows version of LimeWire installer includes a stripped-down version of Sun's Java installer which will download and install version 1.5 of the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) if it detects the machine doesn't have Java, or has a version of Java below version 1.4.1.
LimeWire LLC, the developer of LimeWire, distributes two versions of the program; a basic, free version, and an enhanced version sold for a small fee, which is said to offer faster downloads. Prior to April 2004, the free version of LimeWire was distributed with a bundled program called "LimeShop" (a variant of TopMoxie), considered by computer security experts as malicious spyware.
According to a 28 June 2005 report in the The New York Times LimeWire LLC may stop distributing LimeWire due to the outcome of MGM v. Grokster.
External links
- LimeWire company website
- LimeWire support forums
- LimeWire development website
- LimeWire download
- Study on bundled software in P2P programs
- Computer Associates eTrust Spyware Encyclopedia entry