Exeem opens new file-swapping doors

Underground programmers hoping to capitalize on the BitTorrent file-swapping community on Friday unveiled highly anticipated software that some peer-to-peer advocates believe could blunt recent legal attacks from Hollywood.

Called Exeem, the software aims to merge the speedy downloads of BitTorrent with the powerful global search capabilities of Kazaa or eDonkey. The first public version of the program was released by a company called Swarm Systems but has been associated with SuprNova, a Web site that, until recently, drew millions of people seeking free content online through the popular BitTorrent software.

BitTorrent has been the focus of an aggressive legal attack by movie studio attorneys and their allies in recent weeks, leading to the disappearance of several of the most critical hubs for online file swapping around the world.

Some of the software's advocates have looked to the release of Exeem to bolster a community that had temporarily contributed to more Net traffic than any other application online. The developers may have more muted, short-term ambitions, however.

"We have not created BitTorrent, but a totally new P2P, which is a lot different from BitTorrent," said Andrej "Sloncek" Preston, who represents Swarm Systems and operated the now-defunct SuprNova site. "I think it's a fresh approach. Only time will tell if it's going to work."

The software's release is part of a broader maturation of one of the Net's most popular file-swapping communities. Once focused solely on fast downloads, with little capacity for searching or more advanced features, BitTorrent is being reborn as an updated version of Kazaa, as a rival to TiVo and as a grassroots media tool.

Written by independent developer Bram Cohen, BitTorrent has been an extraordinarily popular tool because it allows large files such as movies, TV shows or software to be downloaded relatively quickly. The technology downloads bits of a file at a time, and each downloader then makes those pieces available to other people trying to find the file.

The result, called "swarming," is the opposite of traditional Web traffic jams; more people trying to find the file typically means easier downloads, not long waits. Some software companies, including Linux developers, have used the software to distribute their products, lessening the load on their own download Web sites.

However, BitTorrent has required links to files to be posted on Web sites or distributed through chat networks like Internet Relay Chat. A

[bobby_brady]

It's time the MPAA pulled their head out of their a*s

and offer content at reasonable prices on the Internet. Also stop trying to gouge consumers with this BlueRay and HD crap and simply put high def movies on DIVX or XPEG that can fit on a regular DVD.

You want to stop piracy?

You have to find the real cause of it! These people http://www.electic.com have the right idea. You find the groups that put out movies and music and you dont go after Level 3 users. BayTSP, a joke of a company, catches nothing but 12 year old girls and 65 year old grandfathers.

The core group of pirated content providers is very small and some of them have been around since the 80s. I only hope the MPAA pulls its butt and embraces thinking like this. Certainly BayTSP has no clue how to think and employes the same technologies the music industry used...we know how that turned out.

[ledzep75]

I want to Stop over-pricing

There is no reason for movie at the theaters to cost $10 + $10 for a popcorn and a drink. For a family of four the cost is about $60. A CD of music from two or more decades ago costs the same as new CD. The average concert ticket is > $50. A T-shirt is > $25. Even with adjustment for inflation it's still overcharging. Plus, old stuff is suppose cost less not more. The movie industry is atleast trying when you see DVD's 2 for $10 or 4 for $20. The only time a music cd gets below $10 is when it's used or the artist completely sucked.

Will they ever learn?

Time after time, the weasels at the RIAA/MPAA sue a company (or kids and their grandparents) and more and better ones spring up. No matter how many people share these files, I don't believe that it hurts the music or movie industry one bit. In fact, all indications are that the industries are thriving despite the dl'ing. They should go after the real crooks who make and sell thousands of copies who COMPETE with them for their customers. Dl'ers are NOT competing with them, and NOT taking away sales.

I think that their tactics are just turning off more customers, and forcing them to look elsewhere for something better. The phrase "shooting themselves in the foot" comes to mind. I don't even dl music or movies and they're ticking me off to the point I have nearly quit buying CD's and movies all together. I still buy concert DVD's, if I get a good deal, The DTS and 5.1 surround are awesome on a killer system (which I have)

[bobby_brady]

I've stopped buying new CD's

now I just buy used ones on sites such as half.com

[Konrad]

!!WARNING !! eXeem Contains Cydoor and Looksmart Toolbar

Cydoor and Looksmart adware components are bundled with each installation of eXeem. See http://www.exeem.com/privacy.htm

There is a distribution of eXeem without the adware features called eXeem Lite. See http://www.exlite.net/

[Fray9]

Or

Yes the full version comes with adware and spyware. Fortunately it isnt a required component of the software and can be removed with a spyware remover tool like Adaware or Spybot without losing functionality.

Just removing the spyware after installation was my preferred route since I tend to be more suspicious of third party "lite" versions that I am of the ones that outright say they have spyware in them. But thats just me.

In any case if your as paranoid as I am there is still a third option as I mentioned above ;)

[snharden]

Spyware?

Well duh? The article stated that!!!!!!

[lewissalem]

Scott..

..many people unknowingly install these things because its stuck in the 3000+ word disclaimer that would take an entire afternoon to read.