KaZaA Media Desktop
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Description The KaZaA Media Desktop is a second-generation peer-to-peer file-sharing service with which you can search and download media files from other KaZaA users. You can also organize, view, and play your media files through an integrated media jukebox, publish your own work, reach an audience, and communicate with other KaZaA users. KaZaA supports audio, video, images, documents, and other file formats. It features recommendations and an automated feature that lets people communicate with contacts. Version 2.0 offers improved image handling, customizable skins, integrated antivirus protection where shared folders can be automatically scanned on start-up and during each download for greater protection against viruses, and the addition of integrity ratings to help improve the reliability of files. |
Contains Pop-ads, banners and spyware client.
To avoid this, get KaZaA Lite at: Kazaalite.com
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Review Sharman Networks just threw a kerosene-soaked coal onto the file-swapping fire. Despite legal wrangling, the company released a leaner, cleverer version of its superpopular P2P app. The new KaZaa allows you to download groups of songs as a single item, search the Web from within the program, and includes a new rating feature that keeps you from downloading corrupt files--a move that counters efforts by record companies and movie studios to dilute networks with subpar records. Plus, 2.0 offers customizable skins (we couldn't wait to get rid of KaZaa's default neon-green interface) and integrated antivirus protection. Even though you'll still have to contend with the ick-ware that plagued earlier versions, this is one download you don't want to miss. Watch the install Downloading KaZaa is simple, but just as you should be cautious when you grab a rare bootleg from a user named Jack the Knife, don't speed through the installation wizard, or you could wind up with trouble. The install wizard lists five optional pieces of software (SaveNow, DelFin, MediaLoads, New.net, and b3d Projector) that don't have anything to do with KaZaa, so if you don't want your desktop littered with links to these companies, opt out now. KaZaa 2.0 also installs Cydoor, a program that delivers targeted ads, which unfortunately, you'll have to live with. Take comfort in the fact that KaZaa isn't the only file-sharing program that drops these types of annoying programs onto your machine. Have a look at our file-sharing smackdown to find out just which app installs what. During installation, you can also customize KaZaa's filters (select the Family Filter if yours is a G-rated household) and choose whether you want additional icons. Impressive search Once you get past the gaudy installation screens, you'll find the same easy-to- navigate Windows XP-like interface as in version 1.6. Just like the--er--kazoo, KaZaa is a truly democratic instrument: anyone can play it. Plug in an artist or a software title in the left-hand search window, and you're on your way. KaZaa 2.0's search function will please both hard-nosed reference librarians and greedy file-sharers alike. You can hunt for music, video, software, images, or documents while keeping your search as broad or detailed as you'd like. For example, if you're looking for audio, you can expand or limit your search based on title, artist, album, category, language, year, quality, and size. Come across a particularly bad cut of a Britney Spears video? Version 2.0 introduces a new rating system that lets you collaboratively filter the wheat from the chaff so that others don't make the same mistake you did. Of course, just like filtering- software manufacturers, which rely in part on consumers' reports to keep its database of offensive content up-to-date, the usefulness of this feature depends on the efforts of its users, which hopefully, will improve with time. In our tests, only a few files had been rated. Still, we like the idea. Download en masse For power downloaders, KaZaa 2.0's most exciting feature is the ability to let you search by playlist and grab whole albums in one fell swoop (a record- industry nightmare). Search results weren't too shabby, either. While you won't get as many files as with, say, Blubster, our tests found more quality results with KaZaa than in recent searches with LimeWire and Morpheus. However, purists take note; together with a company called Altnet, Sharman now offers a paid search-listing program to companies looking to boost the placement of their files in results. While this isn't a big deal right now, it's something to watch as more companies sign on. Also new, antivirus protection now comes with KaZaa so that your shared folders are automatically scanned each time you log on to the service or initiate a download. While file sharing still poses a risk, we appreciate that Sharman is watching our back. You can also customize KaZaa's look by downloading or creating your own skins--nice. KaZaa, ja! Although programs such as Blubster return more results, KaZaa 2.0 solves some annoying problems that plague many P2P apps. When you want to take a break from downloading files one by one on a network that's littered with junky search results and uses an interface that looks like it was designed by a 13-year-old, try KaZaa. - by Rebecca Viksnins |
soul seek still works great for me. and limewire sucks so bad because I never found what I wanted to find.
