FrostWire is a peer-to-peer file sharing program for the Gnutella and BitTorrent protocols. FrostWire is written in Java, and is a fork (software development) copy of LimeWire, another popular Gnutella client.[1][2] Released under the GNU General Public License, FrostWire is free software.[3]
[edit] History
The project was started in September 2004 by members of the LimeWire open source community, after LimeWire's distributor considered adding "blocking" code, in response to RIAA pressure.[2] The RIAA threatened legal action against several peer-to-peer developers including LimeWire[2] as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in MGM Studios, Inc. v. Grokster, Ltd..[4]
The first beta release of FrostWire was available in the fall of 2005.[5][6]
[edit] Features
- As with LimeWire, FrostWire is written in Java, and is therefore capable of supporting multiple platforms.
- While LimeWire is available in both free and paid versions, FrostWire is released only as a free version, the Windows version of which comes bundled with the Ask.com toolbar. FrostWire includes much of the functionality of LimeWire's free version, as well as a few of LimeWire Pro's payment based upgrades.
- FrostWire provides a chatroom, which is absent in LimeWire. However, LimeWire includes an instant messenger using the XMPP protocol and allows the user to share with individual friends in the messenger which is a feature not found in FrostWire. Starting from version 4.13.1.7, the chat feature displays advertising to help pay for the required servers.
- Connections are encrypted with TLS by default unless it is disabled at the preferences. This feature was included in order to obfuscate connections and therefore prevent ISPs from successfully monitoring their clients when they connect to the Gnutella network. Users tend to disable this obfuscation method due to its high CPU usage.
- FrostWire also includes a "Stop Search" feature, which is useful if you found a preferred download and do not want to lose it in the other results that pop up.
[edit] References
- ^ Seth Rosenblatt (December 10, 2008). "FrostWire Review". CNet. http://download.cnet.com/FrostWire/3000-2196_4-10627624.html. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
- ^ a b c Thomas Mennecke (September 30, 2005). "FrostWire Prepares for Gnutella's Future". Slyck.com. http://www.slyck.com/story935_FrostWire_Prepares_for_Gnutellas_Future. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
- ^ Adam Pash (January 13, 2008). "Get Your P2P on with FrostWire". Lifehacker. http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2008/01/get-your-p2p-on-with-frostwire/. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
- ^ Hefflinger, Mark (2005-09-22). "File-Sharing Firms May Be Heeding Cease-and-Desist Letters". Digital Media Wire, Inc.. http://www.dmwmedia.com/news/2005/09/22/file-sharing-firms-may-be-heeding-cease-and-desist-letters. Retrieved 2009-10-15.
- ^ Mennecke, Thomas (2005-10-12). "Frostwire Beta Released". Slyck.com. http://www.slyck.com/news.php?story=954. Retrieved 2009-10-15.
- ^ John Newton (October 14, 2005). "FrostWire Beta Online". MP3 Newswire. http://www.mp3newswire.net/stories/5002/frostwire_beta.html. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
[edit] External links
