LIME WIRE

пятница, 10 августа 2007 г.

LIME WIRE



LIME WIRE is a peer-to-peer file sharing client for the Java Platform, which uses the Gnutella network to locate and transfer files. Released under the GNU General Public License, LIME WIRE is free software. It also encourages the user to pay a fee, which will then give the user access to LIME WIRE Pro.
Contents
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* 1 Features
* 2 Versions
* 3 Controversy and legal issues
* 4 Business Model
* 5 References
* 6 Notes
* 7 External links

Features

Written in the Java programming language, LIME WIRE runs on any computer with Java Virtual Machine installed. Installers are provided for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and RPM-based Linux distributions. Support for Mac OS 9 and other previous versions was dropped with the release of LIME WIRE 4.0.10.

LIME WIRE uses SHA-1 and tiger tree hash cryptographic hash functions to ensure that downloaded data is uncompromised. Although researchers have identified possible vulnerabilities in the SHA-1 algorithm, because LIME WIRE does not rely on SHA-1 alone, these vulnerabilities do not have many adverse implications for LIME WIRE's verification of downloaded files.[citation needed]

LIME WIRE offers the sharing of its library through Digital Audio Access Protocol. As such, when LIME WIRE is running, any files shared will be detectable on the local network by DAAP-enabled devices (eg. iTunes).

Versions
LIME WIRE Pro w/ special pro-only skin.
LIME WIRE Pro w/ special pro-only skin.

Lime Wire LLC, the developer of LIME WIRE, distributes two versions of the program; a basic version for free, and an enhanced version sold for a fee of US$18.88 (?9.78) which, as the developers claim, offers faster downloads. This is accomplished by facilitating direct connection with up to 4 hosts of an identical searched file at any one time, whereas the free version is limited to a maximum of 2 hosts.[1] Prior to April 2004, the free version of LIME WIRE 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 LIME WIRE would not remove LimeShop. With the removal of all bundled software in LIME WIRE 3.9.4 (released on April 20, 2004), these objections were addressed.[2]

Since it is free and open source software, LIME WIRE 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 LIME WIRE's open source contributors have forked the project and called it FrostWire.[3]

LIME WIRE 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.

The current beta version of LIME WIRE incorporates a rewrite of LIME WIRE's handling of metadata and now includes BitTorrent support.

Controversy and legal issues
LIME WIRE Pro running on Windows XP with a black skin.
LIME WIRE Pro running on Windows XP with a black skin.

According to a June 28, 2005, report in The New York Times, Lime Wire LLC was considering ceasing distributing LIME WIRE due to the outcome of MGM v. Grokster.[4] On September 25, 2005, it was reported that Lime Wire LLC was working on a version of the program which will refuse to share files that lack valid license information.[5] Neither of these events occurred, and as of May 22nd 2007, it is still possible to download LIME WIRE and share copyrighted files.

On August 4, 2006, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) sued LIME WIRE, alleging that it was profiting from unauthorized downloads.[6] On September 25, 2006 LIME WIRE countersued the RIAA for antitrust violations.[7]

On May 12, 2006, the BBC reported that "LIME WIRE" and "Lime wire" were among search terms likely to return links to malware from an Internet search engine.[8]

CA Anti-Spyware (formerly PestPatrol) flags LIME WIRE as spyware, and also detects Kazaa as being installed on computers with LIME WIRE.

In addition, some have mistakenly posted private personal copies of business documents on LIME WIRE which are available through standard searches. Some found documents include credit checks, tax records, cancelled checks, and other documents stored in a variety of formats. This has opened the door to identity theft. Attorneys have cautioned several companies, including mortgage lenders, real estate agents, attorneys, contractors, and others, that the use of LIME WIRE by employees opens them up to significant liability.