I just don't know what to say about the new 1.8 release of LimeWire... "Five Roses Casino" and "Bonzi Buddi"? I'm sorry, guys, you just joined your distant cousin Swapnut as exploiters of the Gnutella network.
It's true that your installation program offers a choice of installing Gator and some other equally obnoxious application. But even if these options are declined, spyware is still installed on our hard drives without notice or permission. Ad-aware...the very program you recommended not so long ago...detected these uninvited intrusions which I promptly removed. Naturally, LimeWire ceased to function thereafter. It seems to me that the decent alternative would have been to advise users of the consequences of installing your software. There's not a peep on your site. Oh...I'm sorry, I completely forgot about the fine print on the Readme screens. And the ads...Have you considered how incredibly offensive those blinking ads are? I trusted your judgment and invited you into the privacy of my home, and this is my reward?
If your objective is to dissolve the differences between Gnutella and ventures such as Morpheus and iMesh, you're right on target, and if you think this is an effective business plan to insure the survival and prosperity of your organization, you should consider the recent experience of Swapnut which has rapidly been deserted by Gnutella users.
Fortunately, there are alternatives to LimeWire available that have managed to survive without abusing the users who have installed their software. Even the much criticized BearShare has not fallen to this level. As long as knowledgeable hobbists and others have dedicated their efforts to the growth of the Gnutella concept, the network will grow and eventually achieve its early promise.
But you need a source of income to pay the salaries of programmers? Really. Then follow the example of other software developers and offer your product for sale in a commercial free environment. I've not been offered that alternative. And by the way, I would like to emphasize that LimeWire and all P2P applications derive all of their value from the users who adopt these products and are willing to share files with the Gnutella community. Without us you have no purpose. Every time I access the Gnutella network, I offer 75 to 100 files for sharing purposes. Would you like to discuss my salary since I directly contribute to any success you enjoy?
I applaud your efforts in maintaining host catching at limewire.router.com and the very fine software you've offered users, but I must speak out against the new direction you've embraced. The relatively minor improvements in LimeWire 1.8 demand an unjustified tariff. For myself, the alternatives are clear: Either remain with version 1.7c or entirely remove your software from my system.