Lime Wire is a java-built peer-to-peer client. Lime Wire operates on the Gnutella peer-to-peer network. Lime Wire is provided free of charge, however there is a paid version which promises faster downloads and better search results.
Lime Wire Basic (the free version) is open source. This means that the source code can be downloaded. LimeWire Basic is released under the GNU General Public License, meaning you are free to do just about anything you want to with the software. Some freedoms include but are not limited to: distribute, make changes to, and use the software freely.
Lime Wire is used to download and share billions of files on the Gnutella network. Lime Wire is widely known as a way to get music. Although you can share many other types of files such as: video, doctuments, and software. Lime Wire has a built in "junk filter" which attempts to filter out fake and irrelative results. Viruses can still get through when searching for Software; so it's always a great idea to have some sort of virus protection installed.
On the official Lime Wire website, they promise:
- Protection against identity theft.
- Better control over shared files.
- No bundled software of any kind.
- Firewall to firewall transfers.
- Faster network connections.
- iTunes interegation.
- Creative commons interegation.
- Proxy support
I, personally haven't tested each one of these but I have full trust in the Lime Wire development team that these features work 100%.
Lime Wire is built in Java, meaning it can be used on any operating system that can run the Java virtual machine. Lime Wire provides installers for Linux, Mac, and Windows.
Lime Wire is the most widely used Gnutella protocol. If you're interested in downloading Lime Wire just visit Limewire.com
