I've been a die-hard user of Limewire since ... I don't even know what version, maybe 1.4? I've tinkered with Bearshare but prefer the open-source nature of LW. I've also paid for PRO since the week it was introduced.

Still...

According to Limewire.com's own stats the network is in steady decline. Everyone's switching to Kazaa despite it's spyware-laden proprietary nature. What the heck?

Now, the latest thing I've discovered is that LW ultrapeers are "Dropping" most of their I/O; using LW 2.85's Connections screen you can see (for the first time) long-term stats on Dropped packets. Bearshare, Morpheus, and the other Win32-native apps don't seem to have this problem so I suspect it's a problem with Java's network performance. I've emailed bugs@limewire.com about this (as an aside to a specific bug I found) but haven't received a response.

Since Java 1.4.x is supposed to be better at network I/O, I've been trying to get my machine (LW 2.8.5 Pro w/ Java 1.4.1) nominated to ultrapeer. I've been trying for about 2 weeks but I haven't been able to leave it running for more than 3 days at a time. I've never become an ultrapeer and, Yes, I have that Option enabled.

What do other people think? Is the gnutella "experiment" over?

I use Clean Lime wire 2.02 and Kazaa Lite on the same computer. Neither have spyware according to Adaware and other progs to check for spyware. If I can't find a song or avi I want on one then I shut down (nicely so people can finish their up loads) and then open the other prog.

As for Limewire dying.... well, every net fad has a spike in numbers up very high. Then after awhile the numbers come down to a realistic level. People with short attention spans and small hard drives do leave of course. But communities can be maintained at low levels as some message boards can attest to. Support what programs you like to use and boycott the rest. It's all about where you put your energy and ideas and who outlasts who in the long run.

Try to think of free internet programs in the same way we think of bands. Some last and some don't.

Jon

>Since Java 1.4.x is supposed to be better at network I/O, I've been trying to get my machine (LW 2.8.5 Pro w/ Java 1.4.1) nominated to ultrapeer. I've been trying for about 2 weeks but I haven't been able to leave it running for more than 3 days at a time. I've never become an ultrapeer and, Yes, I have that Option enabled.


there's a small (but very serious) bug in 2.8.5 that stops people from becoming ultrapeers. it's been fixed and the new version will be pushed out shortly...

I am running 2.8.6 Pro and the ultrapeer function is working.

Norm