File Sharing is one of the fasted growing and most talked about applications of the Internet.  File sharing can occur when two computers are connected together via the internet or a network. Files may come in the form of documents, images, software, music and videos.

Until recently, the biggest challenge for those who wanted to share files was finding others who also wanted to share files.

Along came Napster.  In 1999, Shawn Fanning, a Northeastern University undergraduate, wrote this small MP3-sharing application. This software allowed users to connect to a central server. The server stored information about the shared files on the computers that were connected to it which allowed Napster to facilitate searching for files by name. (Typically each computer will control which files will be "shared" with others and which shares will remain unreachable.)

Napster became the target of the Record Industry Association of America as they became aware that copyrighted material was being shared online.  Napster is now a fee-based program.

The demise of Napster has created a multitude of other programs which allow for files sharing...without the need for a central server.  These applications connect users to the Gnutella Network, and files are shared P2P (peer to peer) which means you are directly sharing your files with others, and there is no central server where files are stored.

Gnutella was originally developed in 2000 by Justin Frankel. The software is available for anyone to copy and other developers have gone on to create many Gnutella-compatible programs.

Here's a list of what is currently available:

Gnutella-Compatible Programs

Shareaza Shareaza is a peer-to-peer client for Windows that allows you to download any file-type found on several popular P2P networks. Shareaza is FREE & contains NO Spyware or third-party products. Shareaza can connect to up to 4 separate Peer-to-Peer networks, providing access to hundreds of thousands of diverse users, all from one single program. You can download/upload from these networks: EDonkey2000, Gnutella, BitTorrent and Gnutella2 (G2)

BearShare BearShare lets you search for, download, & share files with everyone on the global Gnutella peer-to-peer information network. This program works with MP3, MPEG, AVI, ASF, MOV, JPEG, GIF, and all other file types. Click here for special tips.

eDonkey Grokster is a peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing program that allows its users to share all types of digital files through its proprietary network. Grokster's features include family & virus controls to help filter out unwanted content; detailed search capabilities; resumeable downloads; file previews using Windows Media Player; & a built-in audio playlist. Click here for special tips.

KaZaA Lite Kazaa Lite (sometimes called 'K-Lite') is a Peer-to-Peer File Sharing application that is a FREE and clean slightly modified version of the very popular Kazaa Media Desktop (often called the 'Original Kazaa' or 'KMD'), which is made by Sharman Networks. Both programs are very similar, with almost identical features and appearance. The main difference is that Kazaa Lite has been modified so that it does not have any of the so-called 'SpyWare' and 'AdWare' that comes with the Original Kazaa. The new K++ Edition (my version) even adds some cool extra functionality to the program: Unlimited searches, better multi-source downloading, constantly the highest Participation Level, a custom startup page, improved performance and much more. Kazaa Lite installer comes with a couple of very useful tools that will make your life much easier. Installation of these tools is optional. With Kazaa Lite you have access to millions of files: Movies, MP3, Software, Games and more. K-Lite Codec Pack for playing back all common movie formats. The authors of Kazaa Lite were concerned about the fact that the Original Kazaa contained unwanted third party software and wanted to be able to use it without that software. So a cleaned up version was made: Kazaa Lite! I have other versions of Kazaa Lite. Email me if your interested.

Grokster eDonkey allows you to transfer any type of file with anyone on the eDonkey network. It automatically resumes interrupted transfers from alternate sources. It even introduces ways to share a collection of files together so you can be sure to get all the songs in an album or all parts of a movie. Click here for special tips.

LimeWire LimeWire is a software tool that enables peer-to-peer file sharing on the Gnutella Network. Similar to the popular Napster service, it enables the sharing, searching, & downloading of MP3 music files. Click here for special tips.

Visit ZeroPaid for news & information about these & other file sharing applications.