Kazaa is a user file-sharing exchange program. It operates a bit differently from Napster; however, the result is much the same. Essentially, it operates by making files on your PC available to others using the Kazaa program while at the same time, making files available on their PCs available to you. Most of the file material available are MP3 files but other things can be found as well.
CAVEAT: Kazaa operates in conjunction with spyware and adware programs that permanently steal approximately 25~50% of your computer's resources and processing power, reporting back to whomever may be monitoring every move you make on your PC, including every website page you explore and every application you use; all the while, bombarding you with adverts "targeted to your needs." It is possible to remove the adware and spyware program segments; however, then, Kazaa stops functioning. It is also possible to block their transmissions using firewall software or the Black Ice Defender program; however, you machine is still slowed to a crawl by their continued operation.
Kazaa is but a client program that allows access to the FastTrack network. Various other clients are available but you can easily get around the problems GS talks about by downloading 'Kazaa Lite' which is a rival client without all the spy/adware.
FastTrack is really only suited for relatively small files and so it is really only suitable for music files. If you want larger files you would be better looking at the edonkey network which cleverly allows different parts of the same file to be downloaded off different people at the same time.
Kazaa Lite is supposedly spy/adware-free; however, I simply do not trust the entire genre of file-sharing software. Besides, their entire purpose - at least in practical application - is to share copyrighted material illegally. Some of the file sources (artists, studios, recording manufacturers) are getting smart: they are loading the file-sharing networks with contaminated files, low-quality rips, and files that are completely misidentified, making finding what you want in useful form more difficult.
Lol! Sorry about that, I had no clue they were using cookies on this web site.
Here is a copy of the article from www.wired.com
Kazaa Lite: No Spyware Aftertaste
By Peter Rojas / Also by this reporter Page 1 of 1
02:00 AM Apr. 18, 2002 PT
Kazaa users, angered by the network's inclusion of secretly embedded spyware, can now connect to the peer-to-peer network using a hacked version of the application called Kazaa Lite.
Kazaa Lite is a software client that provides access to the same FastTrack network as the peer-to-peer program, Kazaa Media Desktop, but does not require users to install any third-party software or view any banner ads.
Earlier this month Australian company Sharman Networks ignited a controversy when it was revealed that users of its Kazaa Media Desktop were unaware that they had also installed software that would connect them to a secondary, private network called Altnet, that would be operated by Sharman Networks' partner, Brilliant Digital.
In a statement forwarded to Kazaalite.com, a website dedicated to the software program, a Russian programmer known only as "Yuri" outlined his motives for creating Kazaa Lite: "It is not my intention at all to stop Kazaa from earning advertising revenue. In fact, I am thankful to Kazaa for creating their great software and the FastTrack network. I only want to make it clear that Kazaa has to stop misleading the people who use their software."
Kazaa Lite has caught the attention of Sharman Networks, the Australian company that purchased Kazaa earlier this year, and in a statement released Wednesday said that the company, "will vigorously defend our rights and take action against parties engaged in misrepresenting our software. Consumers are being deceived with ripped off and highly suspect code, and we are determined that their rights, enjoyment and machines are not prejudiced."
A spokesperson for Sharman Networks had no comment on whether the company might take legal action against the creator of Kazaa Lite, or any sites that host the software for download. The spokesperson also refused to speculate on what steps the company might take to lock out unauthorized clients from accessing the network.
The very openness of these file-sharing networks -- which allow millions of users to log on simultaneously -- makes it virtually impossible to stop unauthorized clients from interfacing with the network.
While Sharman is upset with the situation, it's these open networks, like Kazaa Lite, that have allowed file-sharing to grow. Napster's meteoric rise in popularity to 80 million users was in part due to programs like AudioGnome and Rapster -– programs that weren't controlled by Napster but allowed users to access its network. WinMX has since gone on to use the Napster protocol to create its own file-sharing network that survived the subsequent shutdown of the Napster network.
This kind of spyware controversy has happened before. The latest version of AudioGalaxy required users to install spyware which irked some users, many of whom turned to unauthorized versions of the program that come without third-party software, like AGStreme, Sputnix, MacSatellite and DopeFlish.
The release of Kazaa Lite comes at a time when Sharman Networks was already in the midst of considering whether to take legal action to stop sites like MP3DownloadCentral.com, Kazaa-file-sharing-downloads.com, and PeerToPeerExchange.org, which dupe Interrs into paying money for the Kazaa Media Desktop and other file-sharing programs (the vast majority of such programs are widely available for free).
Sharman Networks did take the step of asking that Kazaa Lite be removed from CNet's popular Download.com site. Kazaa had been removed from the site on April 4, after CNet determined that its failure to more clearly disclose the third-party software bundled with Kazaa constituted a violation of the site's terms of service.
However, Kazaa Lite's removal from Download.com has done little to stop interest in the software.
Shaun Garriock -- a university student in Scotland who runs the Kazaalite.com website and discussion forum where the software is available for download -- has seen over 80,000 downloads of Kazaa Lite in the three weeks since the site went live. He said he's seen few problems with Kazaa Lite's interoperability with the Fast Track network.
Meanwhile, Yuri argues that Kazaa Lite actually benefits Sharman Networks: "The majority of users of Kazaa Lite abandoned Kazaa long before Kazaa Lite was created, or they previously did not want to use Kazaa because they were aware of its implications. Kazaa Lite users are now part of the network. The increased number of users on the network is beneficial to Kazaa, since a large network attracts new users."
Keep in mind that since piracy makes up the overwhelming majority of uses for Kazaa and related programs, one should understand and accept the risks when going down that road. Aside from the adware/spyware risk, there's also viruses, content of varying quality control, and content owners who are out to shut down the networks, either through legal or technical means. And some of those means may target you personally.
KLite works quite well, and it seems to be spyware free. As for whether porn is available on this network, isn't porn ubiquitous everywhere on the net? Of course it's in there too!
I tried KazaaLite. I found it very annoying. I'm just not into the whole download culture. I like signing up for this or that pay site for a month and downloading whatever crap I can that looks good, and there's no worries about piracy or spyware or any of that. Then I quit and sign up for another site. But, honestly, it's mostly not worth that much, and the 20 bucks can buy a new DVD. The only thing that's worthwhile is clips of unreleased future DVD material. That's like getting a DVD ahead of time.
