I'm not exactly sure how or why ... but Limewire connects more with Limewire than other clients. Phex for example connects with far more Bearshare and Shreaza clients, and as you say, this may be true of Bearshare too.
Download speed comparisons can vary too. Somehere in the forums Grandpa did a big comparrison

It is not sometimes so easy to connect with Bearshare , but you will frequently and often get excellent results. as I recall you cannot chat with a Bearshare client, and I'm not sure off hand if you can Browse one.

Bearshare is very popular among Windows users .. sadly I run a Mac so cannot comment too much on it, as there is no Mac version.

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