17 replies to this topic

[Sharklady]

Sharman Networks, the owners of the FastTrack network and distributors of Kazaa Media Desktop (KMD), announced at the start of May that they will be launching 5 new language versions of KMD (v2.6.3). Along with English, Kazaa is now available in German, French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese, which allows access to a market of over one billion users.

Traditionally, Sharman has used Download.com to distribute new versions of KMD. Results from download.com helped to substantiate claims that Kazaa Media Desktop is the most downloaded program ever.

However, users hunting for the latest release of Kazaa at Download.com will be disappointed. Download.com has replaced the KMD download page with a message informing users that the program, at the request of Sharman, can now only be downloaded from the official KMD website.

Speculation quickly circulated that this action was taken as Sharman felt pressure on their business plan. Sharman create revenue streams by including spyware and adware within the main P2P application. This plan is not seen by some as compatible with the Download.com environment. Ad-Aware, which is often considered the antithesis of KMD, as it removes spyware and adware, received publicity for taking the number 1 spot from KMD at download.com. Also, fans of other file sharing applications left comments for potential KMD users, informing them of the extra software bundled with Kazaa.

Others believe that it is all part of Sharman’s attempts to have full control. Something they can not achieve whilst outsourcing.

Upon questioning, Sharman did not deny these theories. Instead, they praise Download.com for being an effective distribution channel. However, as the company and their product portfolio grow, they feel that download.com can not sufficiently consolidate the download figures. Sharman also want “a change in the method by which it records the downloads of its various applications.”

Whether this is sufficient to quash the rumors will be seen at a later date. Sharman has always been on the secretive side regarding their software, and this latest move only heightens one’s curiosity. We have stated in the past it would take a miracle to save FastTrack from the approaching storm of eDonkey2000/Overnet, perhaps they plan to create just that.

Origin of Story

[Tuxedo Jack]

This means that you can't leave user comments for KMD after you download it any more.

Interesting. Were they trying to avoid the comments? They're not trying to save bandwidth, as download.com directly connects to their servers to download the .exe file.

[wawadave]

to stifle the comments or not to stifle the comments. that is the question.
i think there is politics in this for sure.

[Tuxedo Jack]

There is a clean version that you can buy, but why pay for crap?

[Bladeoz]

I didn't know you could actually buy kazaa, let alone a clean version being avaliable anywhere.

[Muriel]

It is crap.
Not a crappy program, just crap, as is any so called "tool" that enables people to rip off and financially hurt those that work hard to create something, only to watch someone oblivious to that fact dance off with it without truly appreciating everything that went in to it.

So it's gone from download.com, big deal, It won't be missed in the long run.

[KinG]

Hey all you Kazaa fans! Try this link. Kazaa Lite K++ has everything Kazaa has plus security stuff and no malware. Hope this helps. Here's another link.

[Muriel]

Now now, there's no need to get so worked up Ghost. I'll clarify my statement.

I mentioned nothing at all about sharing personal photos, etc. that individuals make and wish to share with others. I'm sorry if that was misunderstood. Shareware and personal creations like that get handed around all the time

What I was addressing is software, etc. that is made with the intention of being sold for income, only to have other people come along and find a way to make copies and pass those around for free while the people that worked hard to make the original receive nothing for their efforts.

Kazaa is just one of many such tools that has enabled people to get their hands on various bits of software, media, etc. without paying the original creators, and in most cases, many of these people aren't even aware that they have "cheated" the original creators in any way (take a look at all the people having charges thrown at them these days for downloading something and not realizing it was wrong to begin with).

Understand, I've personally dealt with having my own ideas and work stolen in the past, so I have little respect for people that find ways to steal ideas and products from others.
But that doesn't stop me from appreciating creations intended to be shared. Like my cheesy avatar here for everyone to see and laugh at (I did that one in Windows paint of all programs, one of these days, I'll change it to something better, heh)

[Sharklady]

A gun is harmless until you put it in the hand of a man.

It's not the techmology that need to be blamed. It's the humans that abuse it.

[Muriel]

Well put Sharklady. I acknowledge your point.

It's a shame that so many people are lacking in self control. It would be better if some of that technology were not available to begin with to tempt them, but nothing in life is that easy.

[Sharklady]

I do not agree. That kind of approach is really outdated. Are you a luddite?
Technology helps us in many ways. Men will find ways to abuse it no matter how sophisticated it is. You can kill a man with a rifle, but you can also kill him with a stone.

You can steal with a P2P program, but you can also shoplift from a CD store, or copy from a friend (remember audio tapes?). We cannot stop technological development. It all comes down to education, eventually.

Don't forget that the western culture is that of capitalism - the more you have, the better you are. Children are raised that way, and this is how they see things when they grow up. The gaps between rich and poor are getting larger all the time, so no wonder some will do almost anything to try to "even the score".

I know it sounds a bit philosophical, but it's very real. It's mankind that does the harm, not the internet or the computers.

[Muriel]

It would be better if some of that technology were not available to begin with to tempt them, but nothing in life is that easy.

Some technology, Ghost, not all. Matters are never just Black or White, always somewhere in the grey between. As for the "caveman," I'm sure the first one to use an axe "misused" it on someone else rather than as a tool.

As for your view Sharklady, I agree that humans are ultimately responsible for the use, and therefore any harm caused through the misuse of some technology. It's not a matter of stopping technology, but encouraging the direction in which it is developed. There will always, as you say, be those that abuse what's available to them, but that does not excuse the rest of us from not making an effort to both encourage the development of helpful (not damaging, whether financial or otherwise) technology, and educating others in its proper use. Not only with technology, but all areas, as well.
You're right though, education is ultimately the most crucial factor.

We cannot afford to overlook that.