Features

File Types

Whilst all three programs allow sharing of all file types - mp3s, movies, jpgs, exes etc - Direct Connect and Edonkey2000 are more useful for exchange of larger files rather than mp3s. With Direct Connect, the more files you have to share the faster the hub you can connect to. Serious peer-to-peer sharers will need significantly large collections to get the most from Direct Connect. Direct Connect hubs allow often focus on particular file types or categories, making it easier to find associated material.

Whilst a large collection isn't essential for the donkey, users recommend going elsewhere for mp3s - stick to the Donkey for large and rarer things. The donkey also allows files to be organized in groups - so songs from the same album or film can be organized together for easy navigation.

KaZaA covers the whole range, and the quality of material is good.

Users of Direct Connect are forced to share a minimum of their files. Whilst this restricts small users, it also means there is a vast amount of material covering a huge range. With the Edonkey2000 you can select which files you wish to share, however users are forced to share some material, as their uploads are immediately accessible for download. KaZaA offers users the freedom of choosing if they will share or not.

User interaction

Direct Connect has private and public chatting features, with an IRC-style interface. The network has a community feel due to the hub set-up, however hubs are operated by individual peers, and they make their own rules in chat, just like in their access restrictions. But with everyone on the network sharing there are no leeches clogging the system. If you like to interact with your file sources, Direct Connect will take your fancy immediately. Edonkey2000 offers a chat feature, also with an IRC-style interface, which is server independent and free from operators. Users will be attracted to the freedom of the chat here, but it will take more users on the network to get the most out of the this chat community. KaZaA has an instant messaging feature for use between individual users, but no community chat.

So, which program would I use?

For any user into serious file sharing, Direct Connect offers the best access to material with the fewest drawbacks. KaZaA's spyware puts me off, and the donkey has security issues. If you're exchanging a lot of material and truly making the most of the awesome potential of peer-to-peer file sharing, then you'll have a big hard drive to store it all. With a fast connection and Direct Connect, you can't lose.

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