What Is P2P Network on Limewire?
LimeWire is a file sharing application that uses a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) network. P2P networks are file sharing networks which allow users on the network to share their files with other users on the same network. All files are stored on individual users' computers and can be shared and accessed through the LimeWire application. Most file sharing applications use different types of P2P networks and LimeWire is no exception. To get the most out of LimeWire's P2P network, it's important to understand what the P2P LimeWire network is and how it can benefit you.
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Facts
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LimeWire's P2P file sharing network uses the Gnutella network to search for files. Some versions of LimeWire also support P2P through BitTorrent for downloading torrent files. Download audio, video, documents and even applications on the P2P network. This includes files for MP3 players, including iPods. Documents include Office documents, PDF files and popular document file types.
Gnutella is considered the most widely used and most popular, decentralized file sharing network. Gnutella is simply the name of a specific file sharing network. The more users that connect to and use the Gnutella network, the more files that will be available on the network.
BitTorrent works differently, but is still a file sharing network protocol. Large files can be shared with other users by being broken down into pieces. A file is hosted by a user, which is stored on Internet servers. This allows users to download portions of a file from multiple users, instead of trying to download a large file from a single user.
Misconceptions
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Just because a file is available on LimeWire's P2P network, does not mean the file can be legally downloaded. LimeWire asks users to only download legal, non-copyright protected content. Even if you download the file from LimeWire, LimeWire assumes no responsibility for any illegal content listed on their P2P site.
The name Peer-to-Peer sounds friendly enough, but downloading files from a P2P network is risky and can result in damage to your computer.
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Risk Factors
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Downloading files on LimeWire's P2P network sometimes results in viruses. These viruses may only slow system performance, but others can steal personal information from your computer, such as banking details, social security numbers and contact information for you and anyone in your computer's address book.
Another risk of using the P2P network is downloading copyright protected content. Sharing and downloading illegal material on the LimeWire P2P network may result in legal action, including fines, court appearances and even jail time.
Content is not always as advertised. Files you download on the P2P network may not always be the file name, quality, file extension or file type listed when you select the file to download. Verifying content can be difficult until the download completes.
Benefits
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Use LimeWire's P2P network to find hard to find songs and videos that are not for sale online or in stores. For instance, a live acoustic performance from your favorite band may not make it to the band's DVD or CD, but may be listed on LimeWire's P2P network.
Find music and video from non-copyright protected sources, such as independent bands and videos like you might see on YouTube or other video sites. This can help you to find music and videos you wouldn't see on sites like iTunes, Amazon or other media download sites.
Share your own legal music, video, document and program files on the P2P network. Sharing is easy and requires little interaction from the user.
Features
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LimeWire's P2P network allows you to chat with other users while downloading files. View and manage downloads and uploads on the P2P network through LimeWire's interface.
Share only the files you want to share or choose not to share any files. Default sharing is only turned on for files in your designated LimeWire downloads folder, which you choose during the setup process. You can select which file types to share, which folders to share and how many uploads can take place at once.
Filter LimeWire's P2P network search results by media type, file extension and many other criteria depending on the file type you are searching for. Application sharing is not available by default. You must turn this feature on in the options menu.
The paid version of LimeWire features anti-virus software that allows you to scan downloaded files before you use them to help protect you. Any files on the P2P network can be scanned. This includes those on the Gnutella and BitTorrent networks.
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References
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