P2P

For power users only. This is a variant of the open source DC++ client for DirectConnect, maintained by an enthusiast known as Black Claw. There are many small changes and improvements that have been made over the "official" DC++, but the most important is the ability to limit your upload speed so that your Net connection doesn't become so saturated that your computer can't send outgoing network requests (which slows network performance across the board). Be aware that because this version of DC++ is custom-modified, you may run into problems that you don't see in the official version of the client.

Licence: Freeware (GNU Public Licence GPL).
Online: http://utrum.dyndns.org:8000/
Operating system: Windows 95, 98, Me, NT, 2000, XP.
Requires: The "official" version of DC++ must be installed before installing BCDC++.

Install instructions: Install the official DC++ client first, then use a program like WinRAR to extract the BCDC++ files into the DC++ directory.

		Windows

DC++ is an open source client for the P2P file sharing protocol DirectConnect. It's generally preferred because it is written in C++, not Visual Basic (as is the official DirectConnect client), so it's more stable and responsive - it's also ad-free.

Licence: Freeware (GNU Public Licence GPL).
Online: http://dcplusplus.sourceforge.net/
Operating system: Windows 95, 98, Me, NT, 2000, XP.
Requires: Windows 95 and NT4 users will need to install the Windows 95/NT4 Common controls Update.

Install instructions: A good general explanation of how to set up DC++ can be found at here.

		Windows

Unlike totally decentralised networks like Gnutella, DirectConnect connects to central "hubs" run by users to retrieve reliable file listings of the files available on other users' computers. The files are then downloaded directly from other users. Users of DirectConnect are required to share a minimum quantity of files, which can be hard when you are starting out, but also means a vast quantity of files are generally available for download (note, this is the official client but many users prefer to use the ad-free, enhanced open source client DC++, also provided on this CD).

Licence: Advertising supported freeware.
Online: http://www.neo-modus.com/
Operating system: Windows 95, 98, Me, NT, 2000, XP.
Requires:

Install instructions: If you run a firewall at home, you'll have to check your settings to ensure the correct ports are open for DirectConnect to work. By default, DirectConnect uses port 412 for TCP and UDP data (though this can be changed in the Direct Connect settings). If you are using a router to share your Internet connection, you'll need to enter your router's actual Internet IP address in Direct Connect's Force Direct Connect to report this IP address text box, and tick associated tick-box.

		Windows

This is a Mac OS X version of the official DirectConnect file sharing client. Features include the ability to connect to multiple DC hubs at once, integration with the operating system (e.g., click a URL starting with dchub:// in any Web browser, and your download will start in DirectConnect for OS X), and the ability to limit your upload speed so your computer's general download speed is not affected by an inability to send out network requests.

Licence: Advertising supported freeware.
Online: http://www.neo-modus.com/
Operating system: Mac OS X.
Requires:

Install instructions: Use StuffitExpander to expand the Stuffit archive (SIT), then double click on the disk image (DMG) to mount the disk. Then, simply drag the Direct Connect icon to your applications folder.

		Mac OS X

This is a Mac version of eDonkey. However you'll also need to install the Java graphical front-end unless you are a fan of the command line.

Licence: Shareware (US$20).
Online: http://www.edonkey2000.com/
Operating system: Mac OS X.
Requires:

Install instructions: You'll need to install the eDonkey 2000 Java front-end as well to be able to use this Mac OS X version of eDonkey (unless you're a fan of the command line).

		Mac OS X

The Java graphical front-end for eDonkey can be used in both Mac OS X and Linux, as long as you have JRE 1.3 installed.

Licence: Shareware (US$20).
Online: http://www.edonkey2000.com/
Operating system: Mac OS X or Linux.
Requires: Requires Java Runtime Engine (JRE) 1.3.

Install instructions: A good explanation of how to setup the e-Donkey preferences can be found here. There's also an unofficial FAQ here.

		Java

E-donkey is a peer-to-peer file sharing program that can download from multiple sources at once, improving download speeds and the likelihood you'll get a file in one attempt. eDonkey takes a novel approach to file sharing - as soon as you download a chunk of a file, it is immediately shared for other people to download. The net result is less drain on the person who originally shared the file, and generally faster downloads for everyone.

Licence: Shareware (US$20).
Online: http://www.edonkey2000.com/
Operating system: Windows 98, Me, NT, 2000, XP.
Requires:

Install instructions: A good explanation of how to setup the e-Donkey preferences can be read online here. There's also an unofficial FAQ online here.

		Windows

This Linux verison of eDonkey is command-line only, but if you run the eDonkey2000 graphical front end you'll be able to use it in full GUI glory.

Licence: Shareware (US$20).
Online: http://www.edonkey2000.com/
Operating system: Linux.
Requires:

Install instructions: You'll need to install the eDonkey 2000 Java front-end as well to be able to use this Linux version of eDonkey (unless you're a fan of the command line).

		Linux

eMule is a new file-sharing client which is based on the eDonkey2000 network, but offers more features than the standard eDonkey client, and is ad-free and open source.

Licence: Open Source Freeware
Online: http://www.emule-project.net/
Operating system: Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP
Requires: Windows NT4, 2000 or XP is recommended as these versions of Windows handle multiple network connections better than Windows 9x. It's also recommended not to use the firewall ZoneAlarm, as this is known to cause problems with eMule, even with the correct ports opened. Try Kerio Personal Firewall instead.

Install instructions: You might like to read the emule FAQ online here. If you have a firewall, make sure you open ports 4662 (TCP) and 4672 (UDP). Also, if you are using NAT to share your Internet out to one or more computers, ensure you forward these ports to the relevant IP address on your local network.

		Windows