Direct Connect, EDonkey or KaZaA?

In the wake of Napster's notorious fall, file sharing programs are popping up left, right and center. Morpheus, WinMX, Bear Share - the list goes on. Here I'll explore three of the newest peer-to-peer file sharing programs to hit the scene -KaZaA, Edonkey2000 and Direct Connect - and compare some of their major features.

Direct Connect, produced by Neo Modus, is a 100% peer-to-peer sharing system which allows users to share any file type over a TCP/IP network. I've seen this community-orientated, user-controlled program referred to as the elitist's file sharing program.

KaZaA, owned by Amsterdam company Fast Track, is also 100% peer-to-peer with no central server. Although currently a free program, the KaZaA owners are developing a subscription system with Recording Industry Association of America to allow users to share CD quality sound files for a monthly fee. KaZaA has also had success in selling its license to Morpheus, which is based on the KaZaA platform.

Edonkey2000 is another 100% peer-to-peer file sharer getting a lot of attention. Affectionately referred to as the donkey, both the server and client are distributed free for Linux or Windows, with a Mac version in the pipeline.

Comparison Snapshot

The Networks

Direct Connect is constructed around "hubs". Users can establish their own hubs with or without restriction, forming mini-communities. When logging on, users select a hub or can connect directly to other individual peers. Hub owners have the ability to restrict users of their hubs depending upon amount and/or type of files the user is sharing. Those with smaller hard drives are restricted from joining a hub with a 10 gig minimum file share, for example, which will restrict this program's potential for less serious collectors. Direct Connect hub owners can also limit access depending upon connection speed - a lot of hub owners throw off modem users (hence the "elitist" reference). For users with a slow speed connection, Direct Connect is not your best file sharing option.

Users also operate the servers on Edonkey2000 and KaZaA, although there appears to be less community-organisation and restriction surrounding their networks. With Edonkey2000, the program remains connect whenever you are online, so you may be vulnerable to hackers, as the program will not operate from behind a firewall, but there is no spyware. KaZaA on the other hand has built in spyware, which will deter many potential users.

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