This page describes how to install different peer-to-peer software. Everything displayed in grey boxes is to be executed in a terminal. Check the TerminalHowto if you don't know how to open one.

Work in progress

Introduction and background information

What is Peer-to-Peer file sharing?

Peer-to-peer (commonly abbreviated as P2P) file sharing is the sharing of files on one person's computer with other peoples' computers, without the need for a server.

FIXME: how P2P works, its advantages and disadvantages

Legal issues

FIXME: Comment on possibility of illegal material being distributed through P2P

File-sharing software

There are many file-sharing services available, and each requires a compatible 'client' application to send and receive files using it. Below are some of the most common P2P applications which can be installed on Ubuntu.

BitTorrent

BitTorrent is an open-source protocol and there is already a client for it installed in Ubuntu 5.04 (Hoary Hedgehog), Ubuntu 5.10 (Breezy Badger) and Ubuntu 6.06 LTS (Dapper Drake). For more information, see BitTorrent.

LimeWire - gnutella network client

First, you need Java. If you don't have Java installed, check the RestrictedFormats page.

1. Get the package:

wget -c http://easylinux.info/uploads/LimeWireOther.zip

2. Extract the package:

sudo unzip -u LimeWireOther.zip -d /opt/

3. Create a launcher in the /usr/bin directory:

sudo gedit /usr/bin/runLime.sh

4. Paste the following lines in the new document:

cd /opt/LimeWire/
./runLime.sh

and save the file.

5. Make the launcher executable:

sudo chmod +x /usr/bin/runLime.sh

Type runLime.sh to execute.

gtk-gnutella

You can find gtk-gnutella in the Universe repository; however, the latest version includes the most up-to-date list of Gnutella servers and is thus guaranteed to connect properly. To install gtk-gnutella, visit its [http://gtk-gnutella.sourceforge.net project page] and click on "Download", which will lead you to the download link on Sourceforge. Click "Download" next to the latest (or only) release, then choose the .deb file starting with "GTK2_gtk-gnutella".

When you have the .deb downloaded, open a terminal and type:

cd /path/to/download/folder/
sudo dpkg -i GTK2_gtk-gnutella*.deb

DC++ - Direct Connect

First, you need to install the dependencies:

sudo apt-get install libatk1.0-0 libbz2-1.0 libc6 libgcc1 libglade2-0 libglib2.0-0 libgtk2.0-0 libpango1.0-0 libstdc++6 libxml2 zlib1g

Download the package:

wget http://newstuff.orcon.net.nz/ubuntu/dcpp/dcpp_0.0.20050809cvs-1~mird_i386.deb

Note: this is a temporary URL. If you get a "404 file not found" or some other error, check the howto thread (below) for updated information.

Install the package:

sudo dpkg -i dcpp_0.0.*_i386.deb

The DC++ icon will show up in the Applications -> Internet menu.

Problems? Check out this thread on the Ubuntu forums: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=42084

Amule - eMule client

First, add extra repositories. If you don't know how, go to AddingRepositoriesHowto.

Install the client:

sudo apt-get install amule

The Amule icon will show up in the Applications --> Internet menu.

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