LimeWire is a file sharing program (p2p) that advertises itself as " The Fastest File Sharing Program on the Planet." As a regular user, I can testify to their impressive speed. Running on the Gnutella Network, LimeWire is open standard software running on an open protocol.

Perhaps the most important feature of LimeWire is that, unlike their cousins Napster and Morpheus, they do not allow 'bundled' software. Simply put, you can download files without exposing your system to spyware, adware, or trojan horses. This feature makes LimeWire the safest of all file sharing programs.

Typical files can be shared on the LimeWire network; jpgs, gifs, pdfs, avis, but not .exe - for safety reasons. Additionally, LimeWire features music downloads, iTunes integration, and OGG and mp3 usage under a Creative Commons License.

Written in Java, LimeWire will run on Windows, Linux, Macintosh, and other platforms, and allows users to search by genre, artist, title, and other meta-information.

Newly introduced features allows international users to find downloads in both their region and their language. According to LimeWire, many new languages have been added in recent months.

Downloading and setting up LimeWire is simple. An amazingly spartan 2.28MB, the average download time is approximately 3 minutes for the basic free download. A Pro version, featuring deluxe skins, faster downloads, and personalized email response is available for about $18.00 USD. I recommend downloading the free version first, familiarizing yourself with the features, and then deciding if the Pro version is for you.

As with all p2p programs, you should follow the download directions and make sure you are connected properly. Failure to check the proper settings can, in the words of the Federal Trade Commission..

"open access not just to the files you intend to share, but also to other information on your hard drive, like your tax returns, email messages, medical records, photos, or other personal documents."

With LimeWires ease of use, safety features, clean design, fast downloads, and uncluttered installation, it is this authors favorite P2P program. If you try it, I'm betting LimeWire will become your favorite as well.

Requirements: 64 MB RAM, an internet connection, and any of these operating systems; Windows XP, 2000, 98, NT, 95, Mac OSX, Mac Classic 8.1 or later, Linux or Unix.

.: Download LimeWire
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.: Federal Trade Commission Safety Suggestions for using P2P (peer to peer)
Click Here