Vuze is a
BitTorrent clientBitTorrent is a peer-to-peer program developed by Bram Cohen and BitTorrent, Inc. used for uploading and downloading files via the BitTorrent protocol. BitTorrent was the first client written for the protocol. It is often nicknamed Mainline by developers denoting its official origins. Since version...
used to transfer files via the BitTorrent protocol. Vuze is written in
JavaJava is a programming language originally developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems and released in 1995 as a core component of Sun Microsystems' Java platform. The language derives much of its syntax from C and C++ but has a simpler object model and fewer low-level facilities...
, and uses the Azureus Engine. In addition to downloading data linked to by .torrent files, Azureus allows users to view, publish and share original
DVDA DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
and
HDHigh-definition video or HD video refers to any video system of higher resolution than standard-definition video, and most commonly involves display resolutions of 1,280×720 pixels or 1,920×1,080 pixels...
quality video content. Content is presented through channels and categories containing TV shows, music videos, movies, video games and others. Additionally, if users prefer to publish their original content, they may earn money from it.
Azureus was first released in June 2003 at
SourceForge.netSourceForge is a web-based source code repository. It acts as a centralized location for software developers to control and manage open source software development. The website runs a version of SourceForge Enterprise Edition, forked from the last open-source version available...
, mostly to experiment with the
Standard Widget ToolkitThe Standard Widget Toolkit is a graphical widget toolkit for use with the Java platform. It was originally developed by IBM and is now maintained by the Eclipse Foundation in tandem with the Eclipse IDE...
from
EclipseEclipse is a multi-language software development environment comprising an integrated development environment and an extensible plug-in system...
. It later became one of the most popular BitTorrent clients. The Azureus software was released under the
GNU General Public LicenseThe GNU General Public License is the most widely used free software license, originally written by Richard Stallman for the GNU Project....
, and remains as a
free softwareFree software, software libre or libre software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with restrictions that only ensure that further recipients can also do...
application. However, the Vuze software added in more recent versions is
proprietaryProprietary software is computer software licensed under exclusive legal right of the copyright holder. The licensee is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while restricted from other uses, such as modification, further distribution, or reverse engineering.Complementary...
and users are required to accept these more restrictive license terms in order to install current versions of the BitTorrent client.
Overview
Azureus platform-specific
Azureus supports the following Azureus Platform specific features:
- Ability to share torrents between friends and receive "friend boosts."
- Browsing and downloading high quality official and/or original content on the Azureus Network.
- Chatting between friends.
- Advanced comments and ratings.
- Content search.
- Publishing content.
- Exporting media directly to external devices.
Classic and Azureus-specific
Azureus also supports the following cross-interface features:
- Specification of maximum upload and download speeds.
- Opening files within the program.
- DHT
A distributed hash table is a class of a decentralized distributed system that provides a lookup service similar to a hash table; pairs are stored in a DHT, and any participating node can efficiently retrieve the value associated with a given key...
tracking for when a tracker is down or unavailable. (Distributed Database, a.k.a. "Azureus DHT")
- Torrent creation.
- Encryption
In cryptography, encryption is the process of transforming information using an algorithm to make it unreadable to anyone except those possessing special knowledge, usually referred to as a key. The result of the process is encrypted information...
support.
- Peer exchange and magnet URI.
- Superseeding.
- Comments and ratings.
- Proxy
In computer networks, a proxy server is a server that acts as an intermediary for requests from clients seeking resources from other servers. A client connects to the proxy server, requesting some service, such as a file, connection, web page, or other resource available from a different server...
settings.
- Ability to use I2P
I2P is a mixed-license, free and open source project building an anonymous network .The network is a simple layer that applications can use to anonymously and securely send...
and TorTor is a system intended to enable online anonymity. Tor client software routes Internet traffic through a worldwide volunteer network of servers in order to conceal a user's location or usage from someone conducting network surveillance or traffic analysis...
.
- Multiple UI
The user interface, in the industrial design field of human–machine interaction, is the space where interaction between humans and machines occurs. The goal of interaction between a human and a machine at the user interface is effective operation and control of the machine, and feedback from the...
- Detailed Statistics.
- Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Modes.
- Detailed Settings.
- Selective downloading/download priority.
- Default Port: 52870
Main Azureus interface
Since version 3.0, Azureus starts with the main Vuze interface, designed to promote Vuze content. Here, you can browse media on the Vuze Network, share torrents with friends, and chat. Everything from the classic UI is still available, although hidden, under the vuze interface (see below). Vuze requires a registered account to gain access to certain content on the Vuze Network.
Classic interface
Users upgrading from previous versions will automatically keep the classic interface. For those who are installing for the first time or re-installing, it is possible to bypass the Vuze layer by going to Tools>Options, Interface>Start> and selecting "Classic Interface" from the VUZE UI Chooser.
The main noticeable difference between the classic interface and the main interface is the header and footer. In addition, Vuze Network features are unavailable.
While downloading a file under the classic or advanced interface, the user can view several different statistics including:
- Current download and upload speeds and estimated time remaining.
- The percentage of each file completed and information on the "pieces" (small parts of the complete file) still needed including the piece number and availability.
- File names, sizes and levels of completion for specific files within the download directory
In computing, a folder, directory, catalog, or drawer, is a virtual container originally derived from an earlier Object-oriented programming concept by the same name within a digital file system, in which groups of computer files and other folders can be kept and organized.A typical file system may...
.
- Peer data including IP addresses, the speeds at which you are downloading and uploading to/from them, the port they are running BitTorrent on, and the BitTorrent client they are using.
- The total and average "swarm speeds."
- Advanced statistics including ratio
In mathematics, a ratio is a relationship between two numbers of the same kind , usually expressed as "a to b" or a:b, sometimes expressed arithmetically as a dimensionless quotient of the two which explicitly indicates how many times the first number contains the second In mathematics, a ratio is...
, overall upload/download, session upload/download, network, upload/download limit estimate, cacheIn computer engineering, a cache is a component that transparently stores data so that future requests for that data can be served faster. The data that is stored within a cache might be values that have been computed earlier or duplicates of original values that are stored elsewhere...
activity, and distributed databaseA database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
details.
Advanced interface
The "advanced" interface combines features of the classic and main interfaces. Noticeable differences include a change of header and footer, and the preservation of the Vuze Network layer. It can be changed via the UI chooser, or by clicking advanced in the Vuze/Main UI.
Plugins
Azureus also offers a range of plugins including (but not limited to):
- Auto Speed
- Advanced Statistics
- Mainline DHT
- 3D View
- SMS Notifications
- Country Locator
- FireFrog
- HTML Web UI
- Jython
- Ono
- ProgressBar
- RSS Downloader
- Speed Scheduler
- Status Mailer
A complete list can be seen here
Azureus release history
| Color |
Meaning |
| Red |
Release no longer supported |
| Green |
Release still supported |
| Blue |
Future release |
| Major Version |
Minor Version |
Release Date |
Significant Changes |
| 1.0 |
1.0.0.0 |
July 2003 |
? |
| 2.0 |
2.0.0.0 |
? |
? |
| 3.0 |
3.0.0.0 |
15 March 2007 |
Complete Interface Makeover |
| 3.1.0.0 |
16 June 2008 |
New Plugins; minor interface changes |
| 4.0 |
4.0.0.0 |
14 October 2008 |
New Interface |
|
changed (ex 4.5 or 5.0)-->>
4.4.0.0 |
6 April 2010 |
Introduced Vuze Plus |
| 4.6.0.0 |
13 January 2011 |
Introduced µTP / uTP Micro Transport Protocol or µTP is an open UDP-based variant of the BitTorrent peer-to-peer file sharing protocol intended to mitigate poor latency and other congestion control issues found in conventional bittorrent over TCP, while providing reliable, ordered delivery.It was devised to...
support |
Azureus
Azureus was first released in June 2003 at SourceForge.net. The blue poison dart frog (
Dendrobates azureusDendrobates azureus is a type of poison dart frog found in the forests surrounded by the Sipaliwini savannah, which is located in southern Suriname and northern to central Brazil. Dendrobates azureus is widely known as the Blue Poison Dart Frog or by its Tirio Indian name, Okopipi...
) was chosen as the logo and named by co-creator Tyler Pitchford. This choice was due to Latin names of poison dart frogs being used as codenames for his development projects.
Vuze
In 2006 "Vuze" was released as an attempt to transform the client into a "social" client by a group of the original developers forming Azureus Inc., shortly to be renamed
Vuze, Inc.Vuze, Inc. is a company formed by some of the core developers of the open source BitTorrent client Azureus. Based in San Mateo, California, it bills itself as "the company behind Azureus"....
A Vuze-free version of Azureus was released along with Vuze during the beta period. The releases used version numbers 3.0, while the Vuze-free versions continued with the 2.5 release numbers. The first reaction to the change was met with confusion, because of this. In addition, some of the developers voiced opposition to the idea of completely transforming the client. Starting with an unknown version, Vuze was coupled with Azureus. Soon after, "NoVuze" modified versions were released on
The Pirate BayThe Pirate Bay is a Swedish website which hosts magnet links and .torrent files, which allow users to share electronic files, including multimedia, computer games and software via BitTorrent...
, and as of September 15 , are available for versions up to 3.1.1.0. On June 16, 2008, the developers of Azureus/Vuze decided to stop releasing versions named Azureus, and complete the name change with the release of version 3.1. The client engine however, remains unchanged as Azureus.
License change
Up to version 2.5.0.4, Azureus was distributed under the
GNU General Public LicenseThe GNU General Public License is the most widely used free software license, originally written by Richard Stallman for the GNU Project....
(GPL); beginning with the version 3 distribution, the license presented upon installation changed. While it still states that the "Azureus Application" is available under the GPL, completing installation requires the user to agree to the terms of the "Vuze Platform," which include restrictions on use, reverse-engineering, and sublicensing. As with many similar licenses, the Azureus licence includes a prohibition on use of the software by people "under the age of 18."
Allegedly, the
TOSTerms of service are rules which one must agree to abide by in order to use a service. Unless in violation of consumer protection laws, such terms are usually legally binding...
only applies to the website, vuze.com, and not the software, however the actual TOS include the application as part of the platforms.
Vuze To Go
In May 2009, Vuze collaborated with company named
CeedoCeedo is a software virtualization platform developed by Israeli company Ceedo Technologies. The term "Ceedo" refers both to the company and to the virtual workspace client on which the company's products are based....
and created a portable version Vuze called Vuze To Go; however, this portable version is not free.
Criticism
Vuze is categorized as
AdwareAdware, or advertising-supported software, is any software package which automatically plays, displays, or downloads advertisements to a computer. These advertisements can be in the form of a pop-up. They may also be in the user interface of the software or on a screen presented to the user during...
by
SoftpediaSoftpedia is an Internet web site that indexes information and provides software downloads. The site also covers major technology, science, health, and entertainment news from both external and in-house sources and provides software and game reviews. , it is one of the top 500 websites according to...
, due to its inclusion of a Vuze Toolbar for web browsers.
CNETCNET is a tech media website that publishes news articles, blogs, and podcasts on technology and consumer electronics. Originally founded in 1994 by Halsey Minor and Shelby Bonnie, it was the flagship brand of CNET Networks and became a brand of CBS Interactive through CNET Networks' acquisition...
says Vuze is "bloated but happy," but still rates the application with a perfect Editor's Rating score of 5 out of 5 stars.
In February 2010, two of the largest music sharing sites decided to ban the use of Vuze by their members.
Vuze includes built-in support for
TorTor is a system intended to enable online anonymity. Tor client software routes Internet traffic through a worldwide volunteer network of servers in order to conceal a user's location or usage from someone conducting network surveillance or traffic analysis...
(The Onion Router), an anonymity network. The
onion routersOnion routing is a technique for anonymous communication over a computer network. Messages are repeatedly encrypted and then sent through several network nodes called onion routers. Like someone unpeeling an onion, each onion router removes a layer of encryption to uncover routing instructions, and...
are run by volunteers using their own bandwidth at their own cost. Due to the high bandwidth usage caused by the BitTorrent protocol, it is considered impolite and inappropriate by Tor community members to use the Tor network for BitTorrent transfers. By default, the Tor exit policy blocks the standard BitTorrent ports.
See also
- Comparison of BitTorrent clients
- BitTorrent
- FrostWire
FrostWire is a free, open source BitTorrent client first released in September 2004, as a fork of LimeWire. It was initially very similar to LimeWire in appearance and functionality, but over time developers added more features, including BitTorrent support. In version 5, Gnutella support was...
(uses Azureus core BitTorrent engine)
- μTorrent
External links