I used to be signed up to Napster for downloading music, but now it's closed down I can't anymore.

I've heard that there are file transfer programs which work in similar ways enabling people to transfer music files between PC's over the net.

Does anybody on the xchange use them or could anyone recommend one? Would other people on the xchange be interested in using such a file transfer program to transfer music files between ourselves? Of course we'd all have to respect the copyright laws ;) .

Well a lot of people swear by Morpheus...Me I use WinMX or preferebly LimeWire (http://www.limewire.com).

But it's basically all the same. It's really just a matter of which search options/filters u'd like to use. So try 'em out, and make ur pick :)

AFAIK When u log into one these programs u get the same userdatabase as any other program, since they're all Gnutella programs (did that make any sense at all ?). Anybody wish to clarify/rectify this ?

But once again, my fave is LimeWire :)

Limewire is good, but I prefer Clean Limewire (http://www.megagames.com/news/show.cgi?&idtype=software&database=81&section=downloads&) . It is the same program, it has just had the spyware components removed.

I tried a few of these programs and had trouble with them, but I think it was more to do with my faulty hard drive on my computer. I found WinMX to be great and have been using this for months.

Originally posted by 80sSmurf
Well a lot of people swear by Morpheus...Me I use WinMX or preferebly LimeWire (http://www.limewire.com).

But it's basically all the same. It's really just a matter of which search options/filters u'd like to use. So try 'em out, and make ur pick :)

AFAIK When u log into one these programs u get the same userdatabase as any other program, since they're all Gnutella programs (did that make any sense at all ?). Anybody wish to clarify/rectify this ?

But once again, my fave is LimeWire :)

Morpheus and Kazaa use the same interface. Actually, Morpheus Preview is different. The biggest difference between Morpheus and Kazaa is that Kazaa is spyware, but hell, I don't care.

All programs do similar functions, but aren't the same. Each has its own protocols. Napster was proprietary, Kazaa and Morpheus share the same one, while others use gnutella.

You are correct about the searching though.

I only use Kazaa myself. Once in a silver moon I use WinMX, but it basically sucks. With Kazaa, it will keep checking for the file. I've had files take 2 months to download, but you don't have to tell it to keep looking, it will do that on its own. WinMX will not do that. Once you download, 98% of the time you hit a queue, and have to add yourself to the list of 5-50 other people. You are LUCKY if that person doesn't log off, and when they do, it will not search for other copies.

Personally I just think WinMX sucks. I was lucky to get a full episode of Simpsons once. I have tried movies and have not yet been successful.

Also, Kazaa has anywhere from 800,000 to 1.2 million users online at any given time.

Anyway, just to be clear, not all use gnutella. MANY of them do (just search gnutella file sharing on google), but Napster, Kazaa, Morpheus, and WinMX don't use it.

Originally posted by Recker
I tried a few of these programs and had trouble with them, but I think it was more to do with my faulty hard drive on my computer. I found WinMX to be great and have been using this for months.

It's ok I guess, except that it won't keep searching for a file if the queue is busy. If you get in the remote queue and the person logs off either before its your turn, or before the file is done downloading, WinMX won't resume or search for more sources.

Maybe a newer version will, but I downloaded it in december and that version will not.

That's why I don't use it.

Morpheus/Kazaa are MUCH better about this... and you generally get more search results.

Morpheus used to be my best source for files until they switched networks recently. Now I have have difficulty finding stuff there.

I recently installed Direct Connect, and although it's a bit more complicated to use than the more popular file sharing programs, it works very well.

Originally posted by Polar Bear Jeff
Morpheus used to be my best source for files until they switched networks recently. Now I have have difficulty finding stuff there.

I recently installed Direct Connect, and although it's a bit more complicated to use than the more popular file sharing programs, it works very well.

Agreed. DC is ok, but I would almost rather use WinMX! I have only downloaded a very small amount from there. My friend actually got Return To Castle Wolfenstein, which really surprised me since I had a VERY hard time getting connected.

Maybe it is much better now... haven't used it in months.

for music i usually use audiogalaxy...but you may have to be a little creative with your spelling ;)

Originally posted by aaronw


It's ok I guess, except that it won't keep searching for a file if the queue is busy. If you get in the remote queue and the person logs off either before its your turn, or before the file is done downloading, WinMX won't resume or search for more sources.

Maybe a newer version will, but I downloaded it in december and that version will not.

That's why I don't use it.

Morpheus/Kazaa are MUCH better about this... and you generally get more search results.

Winmx does resume when the person logs back on again. :confused:

I have to disagree with you Aaron over search results. Not only have I found Kazaa/Morpheus to be pretty bad for returning 80s stuff - the file quality is basically limited to 128kps which is *UTTER* pants as I need at least 192kps to be able to get good quality.

Originally posted by Chopper


Winmx does resume when the person logs back on again. :confused:

I have to disagree with you Aaron over search results. Not only have I found Kazaa/Morpheus to be pretty bad for returning 80s stuff - the file quality is basically limited to 128kps which is *UTTER* pants as I need at least 192kps to be able to get good quality.

Hmmm well Winmx never did for me. I left it going an entire night, with resume turned on, and it did not pick up again, yet when I searched for the file, I got results. Maybe we had different versions. All I know is I do not like winmx at all.

As for kazaa, your right, most are limited to 128, but I have no problem with that as its near CD quality. Good enough for me.

BTW, as for 80's songs, more than 95% of what I have looked for on there I have found.