LimeWire
Current Version: 4.18.8 (September 22, 2008) / 5.5.10 (June 24, 2010)
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 5.5 added a whole slew of additional refinements compared to version 5.4, including the following:
- Update LimeMan splash screen.
- Warn user before downloading torrents with files inside the torrent that have banned extensions.
- Replace Quicktime for Java library with Rococoa library to better handle playing videos in Mac OS.
- Add the ability to upgrade Basic to PRO without re-installing.
- Allow the spacebar to pause audio.
- Add a keyboard mapping to allow you to delete a file when in the Library, Image, and refresh the in client browser with F5 (thanks Misagh Moayyed).
- Integrate Anti-Virus protection powered by AVG for Windows operating systems versions to scan downloads.
- Search result tabs are animated.
- Additional information to view trackers with torrents.
- Allow you to view more information when seeding a torrent.
- Remove the LimeWire Store icon, but add the Store as a menu item (for locations where the LWS is available).
- Fix an ArrayIndexOutOfBounds exception when downloading.
- Fix the Home/End keys mapping when controlling volume in the LimeWire Media Player.
- Fix the Cancel button for Options, Friends And Chat.
- Fix a bug in which many quickly launched searches creates an exception.
- Fix an animation exception when adding or removing search result tabs.
- Fix a bug in which launching a file stops audio playback.
- Fix a bug in which sorting the download items was broken.
- Fix a bug in which similar search results would lose their group.
- General bug fixes for activating LimeWire PRO.
- General bug fixes for Anti-Virus protection powered by AVG for Windows.
- General bug fixes.
Version 5.5.10 makes the following additional changes:
- Fix bugs when downloading files from the LimeWire Store.
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 (5.5.10).
Version 5.6.1 beta (June 1, 2010) 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!