File Sharing Programs

eMule is a download manager for downloading files from global and local networks (such as Internet and intranet). Like any download manager, eMule can resume downloading, but unlike ReGet, with eMule you can share files with other eMule users (they can download a file from your computer even if it’s not yet downloaded). To download a file, you need to connect to the server, find the file and start downloading. You can search by file type: Video, Music or Archive. If the process of downloading is slow or doesn’t start at all, use the chat to find someone who can help you get the file faster. In case you can’t spend much time in front of the computer, you can control the downloading from your cell phone using MobileMule. If you can’t do that (for example, GPRS is unavailable or the phone doesn’t support Java applications), eMule has a scheduler that sets a precise time for certain actions. The statistics shows the most popular files (on your computer or in the network), the moments of maximum user activity during a session, the number of users in the network and other information. We should especially mention the “Priority” feature that allows controlling the channel capacity between several files. When you download a file, it’s constantly checked, so you won’t need to download the file again. You can use either the progress bar or the minimized statistics to monitor the downloading. The color settings allow you to customize the interface and a variety of modes will help you to change program settings and make the work really comfortable.

Advantages of the service:

1. Support of various networks (ED2K, Source Exchange, Kad)
2. The queue system enables fast downloading (from several sources at once)
3. The downloaded file is checked to avoid errors
4. You can preview the file
5. You can customize the program using modes
6. A chat for eMule users
7. Limiting the speed of file downloading/uploading
8. Ban lists
9. Setting up a proxy server
10. A scheduler
11. The program is a freeware

Drawbacks:

1. The load on the server increases
2. The Kad network is in the test mode
3. Sometimes a file cannot be downloaded (a source outside the network)
4. You load the CPU when you work with large amount of data

Rivals: Torrent, DownloadMaster, FlashGet, eDonkey2000

Quick overview

Soulseek is a file sharing program for the Soulseek p2p (peer-to-peer) network that is mostly used to exchange music although users can share all kinds of files. The Soulseek network uses a proprietary file sharing protocol using a central server.

Pluses

1. Soulseek is a spyware-free file sharing client.
2. Users can download whole folders instead of just single files.
3. Soulseek allows its users to create chat rooms to discuss various types of files shared over the network. Chat rooms are dedicated to geographical regions or musical styles. Searching for files in a room is faster than a global network search.
4. User can increase the rate of downloading files from other users by donating money to administrators.

Minuses

1. Using the central server. It used to be the reason for network crashes due to CPU overloading.
2. Bad documentation.

Unofficial Soulseek clients

SoulseeX – client for Macintosh
PySoulSeek or Pyslsk - Linux client
MySeek - Linux client
mlDonkey
OctoFind

Related Software: Limewire