LimeWire
Current Version: 4.18.8 (September 22, 2008) / 5.1.4 (June 23, 2009)
LimeWire is a Java-based Gnutella client that is available in an easy-to-use installer. LimeWire claims to be the first Gnutella client to totally block website and web browser access, allowing access only to those who are sharing files on the network (preventing "lurkers" from hogging resources without giving something back).
While LimeWire is free, there is also a "Pro" version available which which has no ads, no bundled software, and 1 year of free updates for $34.95.
Version 5.0's user interface has been rewritten "from scratch," and the application now includes support for Jabber (XMPP). This means that LimeWire can sign-on to your favorite Jabber service and it will detect other friends of yours that are also signed on. You can share files directly with your friends. When you search, you'll see results from friends listed above other search results.
Version 5.1.4 makes the following additional changes:
- Fix a bug in which LimeWire wouldn't run with Java Update 4 and Mac OS (10.5.7).
Limewire 5 is only available for Mac OS X 10.5 and later, and power users may find version 5's new interface a little too basic, so version 4.18.8 remains available, positioned as "LimeWire Classic."
User Reviews
"This (1.4) is the first version of LimeWire that has been stable enough for me to actually search for and download files. That being said, it is STILL very crash-prone. If the developers can improve its stability, it will become one of my favorite file-sharing applications."
—Paul Impola
"This program likes to crash a lot. I don't have much experience with freeware, but it was too much to take. When it worked it was great."
—Timothy Domst
"I have not so much experienced crashes, but when it manages to get more than 1 file per day, that is a great day. It definitely runs a list of queued DLs and retries every 5 minutes, but to no avail . . . ."
—Goulven Champenois
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the Mac OS X 10.4+ "LimeWire Classic" version (4.18.8).
the Mac OS X 10.5+ version (5.1.4).
Version 5.2.4 beta (July 2, 2009) is available (for Mac OS X only). The The beta discussion forum and wiki provide information and insight about this release.
Also See . . .
Can't find what you're looking for? Try a search:
Also, if you have an older Mac, be sure to check out the "Classic" applications page for more options.
Finally, take a look at ALEMIA if you think you know that name of an application, but aren't quite sure.
Also Consider . . .
These are applications that are newer and of potential interest, but which I haven't yet selected for permanent inclusion. Have a look, and let me know if you think they deserve to be part of the permanent collection!