WinMX
is a peer-to-peer file sharing program authored by Frontcode
Technologies. WinMX began its life as an OpenNAP client
capable of connecting to several servers simultaneously,
although Frontcode later, starting with WinMX 2, created
a proprietary protocol, termed WinMX Peer Network Protocol
(WPNP). WPNP version 2 was phased out as WinMX 3.0 and
its WPNP version 3 protocol came into existence. Frontcode
operates several cache servers to aid WPNP network operation.
Lopster used to have WPNP 2 support, although it was
locked out with the arrival of WPNP 3.
Downloads
can be very fast for popular songs since the user can
run a "Multi-Point download" that simultaneously
downloads the same file in small pieces from several
users. By doing this, a hit song can be downloaded in
less than 2-3 minutes. WinMX was very popular in Japan
due to its ability to handle 2 byte characters. By 2001
it was the de facto P2P application in Japan. However,
WinMX's Japanese popularity dropped sharply with the
arrest of several users, and resulted in the development
of a semi-secure, encrypted, serverless application
called WinNY (N comes after M, Y comes after X). WinMX
is also especially popular in Italy and Hong Kong.
In
early 2004, rumors have been spread around in Hong Kong,
saying that the Customs Department is prosecuting people
using WinMX to share copyrighted items, which turned
out to be not true. A number of people consider WinMX
a much safer downloading program than Kazaa, partly
due to the fact that no spyware comes with WinMX.
In
the post-Napster era,WinMX started life as a client
for the OpenNap network, which threatened to crumble
under the weight of traffic after Napster closed. To
deal with this, WinMX recently developed its own decentralised
Gnutella-style WinMX Peer Network. They say: '(WinMX)
allows you to connect, download and share files with
MILLIONS of other users (in) one of the most diverse
networks of shared media files in the world.' Ignore
the outdated references to OpenNap and you'll find a
real file-sharing gem here. The greatest strength of
the WinMX network is its vast range of content - as
well as big names like Supergrass we also found lots
of more obscure artists such as reggae star Alpha Blondy.
This proved decisive in putting WinMX ahead of our Bronze
winner, KaZaA. WinMX isn't going to win any beauty pageants,
as the design is a bit scary for the uninitiated. We
found the download speeds to be quite fast in general,
but there were still many times when songs we requested
were placed in a long queue. However, WinMX does tell
you what number you are in the queue, so you can choose
to wait or just cancel the download.
WinMX
is a file-sharing program. In addition to letting you
share MP3s and other types of files, WinMX allows you
to connect simultaneously to many established networks
based on the OpenNap and Napster protocols. This is
designed to yield more search results from a larger
base of users. WinMX supports any file type, allowing
you access to a diverse assortment of shared video and
picture files, as well as the usual MP3 audio files.
WinMX also features full chat and hot list capabilities,
all wrapped in a multiwindowed interface. WinMX respects
your privacy and doesn't contain spyware.
Beauty
is only skin-deep, as WinMX proves. This P2P client
helps you to share, find, and download files from WinMX
or other OpenNap protocol networks. The awkward interface
is littered with buttons, but it enables even a novice
to share files on P2P networks by scanning your drives
for media files. You can easily find files by keywords,
bitrate, and connection. You can even join chat channels.
To save money, the application displays the time you've
spent online and limits incoming/outgoing traffic. As
a spyware-free and fully functional file-sharing client,
WinMX wins fans among beginners and P2P veterans.
