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• Even though BitTorrent has pretty much completely dominated file sharing, other P2P networks and protocols are still around. You may have once used GNUtella, or even eDonkey, but Direct Connect and SoulSeek are two less-obvious methods for sharing files. This page is split into sections for each type of transfer protocol/network. Since there are really no clear industry-leading clients for any of these networks/protocols (other than LimeWire, which is here), I ranked the apps by the number of users and general ease-of-use. GNUtella Network GNUtella was the answer to the FastTrack network, used by the early popular file-sharing clients like Napster and later KaZaa. GNUtella decentralized the location of the files being shared from a single server to all the clients. This let GNUtella continue operations, while the older networks were being shut down for copyright infringement. The most popular GNUtella client, LimeWire, is still heavily used today, even though BitTorrent has since taken the spotlight. LimeWire (v. 5.2.13) LimeWire was perhaps the most popular P2P file-sharing app before the BitTorrent explosion. It is similar to KaZaa, much of which was modeled after the original file-sharing rock star, Napster. Like those applications, LimeWire was plagued by malware. If you still use GNUtella for P2P fileshareing, you should really consider giving Linux a spin. That's right, Linux has LimeWire, and no viruses. FrostWire (v. 4.18.1) FrostWire is essentially the same thing as LimeWire. They both take after KaZaa and use the GNUtella network. FrostWire has a flashier tabbed interface, but it's a noticeably bulkier app. Also, the search results are absolutely inundated with porn files. It doesn't matter what you're searching for, these files will dominate your results. eDonkey Network The eDonkey network picked up steam immediately after Napster's destruction and again had a burst of popularity after KaZaa was compromised. However, due to GNUtella clients picking up where the FastTrack apps left off, and having almost identical interfaces, eDonkey's popularity was short lived. aMule (v. 2.2.4) aMule has a great interface, and it had large list of servers that were available to connect to right after the installation. Surprisingly, many of these servers were heavily populated by users and files. Unfortunately, my router/firewall prevented me from successfully connecting to any of them. MLDonkey (v. 2.9.5) MLDonkey has a fantastic, user-friendly interface. However, it failed to connect to any servers, and, unlike Amule, it didn't even populate a list of available servers. This leaves you to deal with any router/firewall issues before finding out if there are any good servers available. Direct Connect Network Direct Connect has been around for almost a decade, but it never really took off. It is a P2P network like GNUtella and eDonkey, but relies on 'hubs' to route the P2P interactions. The reason Direct Connect never caught on is likely due it's unfamiliar interface and archaic networking settings. Despite being passed over for more user-friendly protocols in it's day, Direct Connect networks now have a healthy number of users. LinuxDC++ (v. 1.0.2) Finding and connecting to a Direct Connect hub was not difficult at all with LinuxDC++. The default list of public hubs was full upon installation, and there are peers brimming with available files from all over the globe. The interface is simple and uncluttered, making LinuxDC++ incredibly user-friendly.   Valknut (v. 0.3.13) Valknut opens a desktop-like outer window, which contains features within their own windows, much like a Java application. The list of public hubs was empty after installation. This app will require you to find hub addresses externally. SoulSeek Network SoulSeek is a relative newcomer to file-sharing. It was created in '02/'03, like so many others, with the purpose of picking up where Napster left off. SoulSeek uses centralized servers for handling file searches and communications between users. Unlike BitTorrent, you must transfer entire files from a single user with SoulSeek. While this clearly limits the number of files and speed of transfers, it fosters the community approach to file-sharing. Nicotine+ (v. 1.2.9) When Nicotine+ first starts up, you'll need to input a user name and password in order to connect to the server. After your information has been accepted, you'll be able to enter chat rooms, do private chats, browse other users' shared files, and search for files. There are actually a surprising number of files available via Nicotine+, but they're mostly music files. SoulSeek offers users the ability to create and join chat rooms whose topics are usually genre-driven, such as “drum'n'bass” and “DEATH METAL CLUB.” This allows users to communicate and share the music being discussed, which could be a good way to find new or unsigned material. Unfortunately, more often than not it becomes another back-and-forth flaming session.

• A common element in the line-up of Gigabit-capable consumer-grade devices available in today's marketplace is the UBICOM StreamEngine. The StreamEngine is a network traffic management technology that supports QOS, adjusting packet priorities automatically as they fly across its interfaces, to forward them at the highest possible levels of efficiency. As with the DI-102 also reviewed in this guide, the idea is to push time-sensitive traffic to the front of any pending service queue. This minimizes delays for services where slowdowns can impact signal quality or mess with user perceptions, while slowing services where fast-as-possible delivery matters little if at all. In fact, the StreamEngine appears in a handful of home and small-office network devices, including D-Link's line of GamerLounge wireless routers. It's also a key component in Hawking Technology's Broadband Booster, better known as the Hawking HBB1. This kind of technology is best suited for network environments where multiple users or communication sessions are active at any given moment. A single user environment will accrue little benefit from using an HBB1, unless it's showing problems with voice quality on VoIP or image quality on streaming video (and the cause can't be tied to a slow Internet link). Hawking Tech. Broadband Booster (2 offers) Online shop Price vistamicro $39.99 Amazon Marketplace $64.99 See more products According to the vendor, the HBB1 can "Boost the speed of your Internet applications by up to 400%." This really translates into something like: "Make more effective use of available bandwidth when multiple workstations or time-sensitive network applications compete for a shared medium." In simpler terms, VoIP calls that suffer during periods of increased load will no longer lose as much line quality, and streaming online video applications will see some improvement in overall performance. Even online gaming - with an Xbox, PS2, Gamecube, or PC - stands to benefit from the effects of inserting Hawking's HBB1 device in-line between your modem and your switch or router, especially when they are used along with other real-time applications. It's compatible with all broadband networks, at home and on the road. File-sharing and P2P applications needn't slow down a NetMeeting conference any more, either. Best of all, it's fully plug-and-play compliant, which makes the device trivial to install and use. Simply plug one network connection into a PC or router, and the other directly into the modem itself. Insert the power plug into its corresponding AC jack, and the HBB1 comes to life, improving real-time network traffic response and handling. Bring joy and merriment to a network-savvy loved one by giving a Hawking HBB1. At an MSRP of $89.99, it won't break your Xmas budget, and also makes for a good high-tech stocking stuffer.