LimeWire 2.6
While one-time competitor Audiogalaxy has bought the farm, LimeWire is alive and kickin'. Version 2.6 of this popular file- sharing app retains the good looks and ease of use of its predecessors but lacks some of the bugs that marred the younger crop. And you can register an ad-free version, LimeWire Pro, for just US$9.50. But despite all there is to love, LimeWire comes up short where it counts: in our tests, search results weren't so hot, installation was a bear, and downloads dragged on for what seemed like decades. Although you shouldn't abandon LimeWire just yet--especially if you work on a Mac, in which case this app is your best bet--turn to Xolox first for now.
An enviable interface
To search for music using LimeWire, enter a search term in the box on the left side of the screen. You can limit your search to a specific media type (programs, documents, audio, video, or images) or search for all of the above. LimeWire organizes your results in tabs along the top right of the screen, while tabs above the window let you view your download library or monitor other users' search terms.
Unfortunately, LimeWire doesn't excel at its most important job: seeking and downloading files. In our tests, Java-based LimeWire, running on the Gnutella network, returned results more slowly than its competitors, such as KaZaa Media Desktop and BearShare. We found a decent number of results when we searched for top-40 artists such as Britney Spears and The Beatles, but far fewer when we looked for oldies or classical artists, such as Stravinsky. KaZaa and iMesh both offer fuller song libraries.
Although you can search for all the files you want, you're not guaranteed a successful download. Success depends on the number of other users who are sharing files at the same time and the speed of their connection--and yours. We managed 50 percent with LimeWire using a high-speed cable modem, but KaZaa and iMesh, by comparison, completed at least 60 percent of downloads. One nice touch: if you search for a file that is hosted by two or more users, LimeWire, like KaZaa, groups the results for quicker downloading.
Expect the unexpected
As with any P2P app, expect unwanted guests at installation. LimeWire's Windows version includes a customized version of bundled adware called Cydoor, which you can't dump when you uninstall LimeWire. In fact, it continues to run in the background and doesn't show up in the Add/Remove Programs control panel. Plus, LimeWire litters your desktop with aliases for other products, and even if you opt out during installation, the app still installs a shortcut to its shopping network, LimeShop. Happily, the OS X-compatible Mac version, one of the few big- name P2P apps that runs on Macs, doesn't include any unwanted programs or aliases, and LimeWire also runs on Linux.
Registration nation
In addition to its cross-platform nature, LimeWire breaks the mold by offering a paid version, called LimeWire Pro. For US$9.50, you can avoid the banner ads, eliminate bundled software and desktop aliases, and get e-mail tech support (nonpaying users can use only online discussion boards). You'll also get six months of free updates and a slightly smaller app. That's nice, but registration doesn't offer, say, priority server access or more search results, so we don't recommend ponying up.
We're happy to see LimeWire's bulked-up online documentation, which now serves up more tech support than any other P2P site does. We especially like the well-moderated forums, where users discuss bugs and LimeWire forum moderators offer advice.
Too few extras
Despite LimeWire's ease of use and ample support, we wish this app offered more goodies. For example, KaZaa lets you browse the libraries of other users, and iMesh lets you instant- message songs to your friends; LimeWire offers neither and seems bare by comparison. Add the free tool to your stable of P2P apps, but if you have to pick just one, stick with Xolox or iMesh.
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