Update: LimeWire has created a Trojan-free installer as of January 1, 2002. If you installed a previous version of this program, fear you have a Trojan horse, or want more information, go to Symantec.

Different kinds of networks yield many different flavors of file-sharing applications. Several of these apps, including BearShare, are built on Gnutella, a decentralized peer-to-peer network. File swappers depend on a powerful software client with a good interface to successfully find and download files over the constantly fluctuating Gnutella network. LimeWire, although problematic at times, seals cool features in a tight interface for free and easy file sharing.

LimeWire's graphical interface is straightforward and attractive. Once connected to the desired number of hosts (or servants), you type in keywords and specify the type of file you want (audio, video, documents, images, programs, or "any"). Sort search results by score, quality of service, and connection speed to find the best files to download. LimeWire uses a star rating (one through four) to mark files with better quality of service. The higher the star rating, the more likely the download will be successful.

Besides working with multiple platforms (PC, Mac, Linux, Unix), LimeWire's coolest feature is the Smart Download. Check the box marked Grouped in the Search tab to cluster search results with similar file names. LimeWire will attempt to download either the file with the best connection speed or all highlighted files, depending on what the user specifies. The blanket download request generally yields more successful downloads.

LimeWire's Community tab allows you to connect to specific content areas -- such as comedy, documents, and programs -- and regional areas -- such as South America and Europe. Connecting to these specific areas allows users to tailor the Gnutella network to their own interests or geographic locations. However, because of server overload, we were not always successful at connecting to these community areas.

Like BearShare, LimeWire monitors search queries from other users bouncing around the Gnutella network. But unlike BearShare, LimeWire lets you click directly on a query and search by that term.

LimeWire sports a much cleaner interface than does BearShare, streamlining the process for file-sharing newbies to find more of what they want. It takes about the same amount of time on both programs to search and to make the initial connection. The main advantages of LimeWire, besides its interface, are its Smart Downloads and Community features.

Download Report
We used these search terms with other Napster clones. The purpose of this search was to get a feel for the availability of widely used search terms as well as more obscure bands and song titles.

• 27,876 hosts
  
• Apples in Stereo: 23 files found
• Radiohead: 2,429 files found
• Metallica: "Enter Sandman" -- 192 files
• The Beatles: "Yellow Submarine" -- 160 files
• Dr. Dre: "The Watcher" -- 38 files