Comparison LimeWire and BearShare Lite
 

I have read in a few post that BS/Lite does not contain spyware and since it had been a while since I tested it I thought I would check it out.

Well the results were as follows I downloaded and installed BS/Lite from presumably the official site. I ran both BS/Lite and LW at the same time I figured it was a good time to test set up different folders for both to DL in both used the same folder for sharing thus the same files available. Newest version of both LW4.9.28 at the time.

Search Results

Both had pretty much the same search results for the same file names at times LW had more other times BS had more but both were pretty much equal.

Download Results

Once again they were pretty much equal here I did DL of 10 files at a time both simultaneously limited DL bandwidth equally between the 2. Some files BS completed first some LW did these files being of same name an size and started approximately at the same time. Some of the files LW found more sources others BS found more about 50/50 here. I must say that LW did complete the total group's of files before BS in all cases about 25% faster.

Upload Results

Here I found BS to kick LW butt it appeared that all the files in my library were available for upload in the 12 hrs I ran the test all files had UL in BS. While in LW only 7 files got UL I have wrote about this problem before but no one has ever been able to explain it to me. They always say that maybe no one wants the other files just proved that one wrong. But I am currently running 4.9.29 and it appears that this issue is not as bad in this version of LW 100 of 564 files available have activity in the uploads column that is a vast improvement over 7 with prior versions. So this may no longer be an issue.

User Interface

Here in my opinion LW kicks BS butt LW to me is allot easier to set up and use there is a better display of information on the LW screen and simpler to use. It is also easier to configure . But this is just my personal opinion and preference

In my opinion LimeWire is the better of the 2

I did have screen shots of all the test but unfortunately after I finished the test and re booted my computer Norton came up with a warning that it had been corrupted. I then did a boot time scan with Avast and guess what it had Win 32: Trojano-324 in C:/Program Files/Common Files/qbr qendg/qendb/ppuelqt.exe most likely Gain spyware Avast could not repair it so I told Avast to delete it dumb move I should have manually removed it. Screwed up XP Pro big time. I then decided to re format my hard drive and start all over.

Now some may say I downloaded it from the p2p net while I was testing. Not likely since I did not open any of the files I downloaded and they were all MP3 files. It is my firm belief it came from BearShare Lite . I will re test next week to make sure. But I do not have the time to do it right now.

Any way the results are as I found them and yes I am partial to LimeWire in my opinion it is the best out there. I did reproduce some or the problems that people are currently posting. None of which were LimeWires fault. Will Post that at a latter time have to hit the road right now have a long drive to head back to work my weekend is over.

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?boa...;threadid=8411

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?PHP...10326.msg87661

If anyone has a link to BearShare Lite that they know to be spyware free please post it here so I can use it in my next test

This was interresting ( only to a degree since Bearshare is unavailable for Mac). I wanted to ask if you were running both on the same computer and if any settings have to be altered as I was considering checking out Phex in a similar way.

They were both being run on the same computer. Just set your bandwidth meter the same on both I set mine to use about 90% of my DL capability which is 700MB on my connection. Try to make all things as equal as possible including UL bandwidth. With my DL capabilities it only reached max 1 time. So it should have been a pretty fair test.

Thanx Grandpa .. I thought you might have left :) have a good trip....

Dont worry, Im not here to post but must ask Grandpa what version of Bearshare Lite did he dl? and if he downloaded it from the official site and since everyone keeps telling me how wrong I always am, am curious: did you find any bundled spyware in Bearshare Lite? You are too biased as you are used to LW. ;)

That happens. I have used Bearshare for a long time and prefer it over LW because it produces much more results and I dont have to pay for a Pro version to get more. The Lite version is just that, there are no bells or whistles and no added bullsh*t with the program and java crap either so, in defense, I will always stickup for Bearshare Lite. ;)

My version of Bearshare Lite is: 5.0.2. Just so you know. And still think BL has better speed than Limewire. I can download a song in a matter of seconds, even on my capped bandwith. The search doesnt bog down and comes up instantly If I had to compare speed, BL wins and works really well with firewalls and had never had any problems and the files are so much easier to see. And, you can see the files thare are being transfered back and forth from downloads/uploads. LW is too much configuring and that turns me right off.

I am most curious to see what Spyware you keep talking about in Bearshare Lite as I as a mere user, have not come across any. I will most likely give up on LW and stick with the light weight of Bearshare lite. LW is becoming a java hog & bloatware.

I think all beginners of P2P should startout with Bearshare Lite, less BS to put up with and it works instantly. and yea, I wanted to add my two cents worth.



(my opinion)

Sphinx

Below is the link I got BS lite from version 5.1.0 I believe it to be the newest version. And to my belief it is the official site. And Like I said in my post I do knot know for a fact that the mentioned spyware came from BS but I believe it did. Since prior to Downloading it I did a boot scan with avast and nothing turned up.But after DL and running it the file in question turned up. Like I said in the post if you know of a link where I can get BS lite from that you know to be virus free post it. If I was wrong in what I posted it will be corrected when I re test. For now the results stand as I found them. I nor anyone else has proved them to be wrong.


http://www.bearshare.com/lite/

Not trying to prove you wrong, not my intent as I prefer it over LW for its speed, my speed in LW is always in a state of flux and Bearshare has more options in my opinion and is easier to configure without banging your head against the wall. The version I have has no spyware. Im gonna check the site to findout what you're talking about.

last post by me. ;)

over and out.

edited to add their FAQS which says it has no spyware:

Q. What is the difference between BearShare Lite and the other versions?

A. BearShare Lite's main feature is the complete absence of third-party software of any kind. The other two versions are either sponsored or available by paid subscription.

Return to questions


Q. Does BearShare Lite have any features that the others do not have?

A. Please refer to the chart at the top of the page.

Return to questions


Q. Why should I use BearShare Lite?

A. If you prefer to not take advantage of the offers and free Web-based information available in our sponsored version, then BearShare Lite is for you.

Return to questions


Q. Does BearShare Lite contain any adware or spyware?

A. No. BearShare Lite is completely free of any third-party bundled software, and will never contain spyware.

Return to questions


Q. How much does BearShare Lite cost?

A. Nothing. BearShare Lite is free, and you have unlimited use of it for as long as you choose.

Return to questions


Q. How do I get BearShare Lite?

A. You can download BearShare Lite from the home page by clicking the big green "Get It Now" button.

Not sure what you mean by this? Whats a file in question turned up mean? again, I have not upgraded to this new version and dont think I dled it from that site but some offshoot from bearshare or a freeware site. I'll try to find the link.

Did anybody think to go here: http://www.gnutellaforums.com/forumd...une=&forumid=8 & press the downld link in the Bearshare listing? lol :D
That will give you direct downld links for all available versions. (Just as well we have a BS section on these forums. lol)

Sphinx

Below is the file that appeared after running BS/Lite the links in my first post are from avast forum which say it is most likeley GAIN


Win 32: Trojano-324 in C:/Program Files/Common Files/qbr qendg/qendb/ppuelqt.exe most likely Gain