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Vuze

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Vuze
Developer(s)The Vuze Team
Initial releaseJune 2003
Stable release5.7.6.0 (November 2, 2017; 6 years ago (2017-11-02)) [±][1]
Preview release5.7.6.1 Beta 1 (November 2, 2017; 6 years ago (2017-11-02)) [±][2]
Repository
Written inJava
Operating systemCross-platform
PlatformJava
Available inMultilingual (52 Languages)
TypeBitTorrent client
LicenseModified GNU General Public License— (core)
Proprietary (platform).
Websitehttp://www.vuze.com/app

Vuze (formerly Azureus) is a free BitTorrent client used to transfer files via the BitTorrent protocol. Vuze is written in Java, and uses the Azureus Engine. In addition to bittorrenting, Vuze allows users to view, publish and share original DVD and HD quality video content.[3] 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 monetize it.

Vuze was first released as Azureus in June 2003 at SourceForge.net, mostly to experiment with the Standard Widget Toolkit from Eclipse. It is now a highly popular BitTorrent client.[4] The Azureus engine is released under the GNU General Public License, and is free software. However, parts of the recently added Vuze platform carry more restricted licensing terms, and it is no longer possible to install the Azureus engine using the latest installer without first accepting the Vuze license.

In May 2009, Vuze collaborated with company named Ceedo [2]and created portable version Vuze called as Vuze To Go, however this portable version is not free.

Overview

Vuze (classic UI) statistics page
For a comparison of client features, see Comparison of BitTorrent Clients.

Features

Vuze platform-specific

Vuze supports the following Vuze 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 Vuze Network.
  • Chatting between friends.
  • Advanced comments and ratings.
  • Content search.
  • Publishing content.
  • Exporting media directly to external devices.

Classic and Vuze-specific

Vuze/Azureus also supports the following cross-interface features:

  • Specification of maximum upload and download speeds.
  • Opening files within the program.
  • DHT tracking for when a tracker is down/unavailable. (Distributed Database, a.k.a. "Azureus DHT")
  • Torrent creation.
  • Encryption support.
  • Peer exchange and magnet URI.
  • Superseeding.
  • Comments and ratings.
  • Proxy settings.
  • Ability to use I2P and Tor.
  • Multiple UI
  • Detailed Statistics.
  • Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Modes.
  • Detailed Settings.
  • Selective downloading/download priority.

Interface

Main Vuze interface

Since version 3.0, Vuze 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 advanced vuze interface (see below). Vuze requires a registered account to take advantage of certain content on the Vuze Network.

Classic interface

Vuze swarm feature (shown in Classic UI)

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:[5]

  • 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.
  • 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, overall upload/download, session upload/download, network, upload/download limit estimate, cache activity, and distributed database details.

Advanced interface

The "advanced" interface is a mix between the classic and main interface. 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

Vuze 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

History

Vuze Release History[6][7]

Color Meaning
Red Old release; not supported
Yellow Old release; still supported
Green Current release
Blue Future release
Major Version Minor Version Release Date Significant Changes
1.0 1.0.0.0 ? ?
2.0 2.0.0.0 ? ?
3.0 3.0.0.0 3/15/07 ?
3.1.0.0 6/16/08 New Plugins; minor interface changes
4.0 4.0.0.0 10/14/08 New Interface
4.2.0.0 03/23/09 Media server can transcode media files

Azureus

Azureus

Vuze was first released in June 2003 at SourceForge.net as Azureus. The Blue Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates azureus) 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" (aka Zudeo) 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. 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.[8] In addition, some of the developers voiced opposition to the idea of completely transforming the client.[citation needed] Starting with an unknown version, Vuze was coupled with Azureus. Soon after, "NoVuze" modified versions were released on The Pirate Bay, 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 License (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[9], and sublicensing[10]. As with many similar licenses, the Azureus licence includes a prohibition on use of the software by people "under the age of 18".[11] Allegedly, the TOS only applies to the website, vuze.com, and not the software[12], however the actual TOS include the application as part of the platform.[13].

Criticism

Vuze is categorized as Adware by Softpedia[14], due to its inclusion of a Vuze Toolbar for web browsers. The toolbar is an optional component of the installation and is not required for the program's operation. The toolbar can also be uninstalled at any time if ever installed by the user.[15][16][17]

CNET says Vuze is "bloated but happy," but still rates the application with a perfect Editor's Rating score of 5 out of 5 stars.[18]

Notes

  1. ^ "Changelog". Vuze Community. Retrieved 2017-12-11.
  2. ^ "Vuze - Dev Home". Vuze Development. 2017-11-02. Retrieved 2017-12-11.
  3. ^ Azureus' HD Vids Trump YouTube, Calore, Michael (Wired News): (2006-12-04)
  4. ^ SourceForge Top Projects
  5. ^ Main Page - AzureusWiki
  6. ^ http://azureus.sourceforge.net/changelog2_old.php
  7. ^ http://azureus.sourceforge.net/changelog.php
  8. ^ Confusion about name change
  9. ^ http://www.vuze.com/Terms.html Section 8.12
  10. ^ http://www.vuze.com/Terms.html Section 8.2
  11. ^ http://www.vuze.com/Terms.html Section 1 and Section 8.10
  12. ^ [1]
  13. ^ http://www.vuze.com/Terms.html Section 0
  14. ^ http://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/File-Sharing/Azureus.shtml
  15. ^ http://faq.vuze.com/?View=entry&EntryID=297
  16. ^ http://faq.vuze.com/?View=entry&EntryID=206
  17. ^ http://faq.vuze.com/?View=entry&EntryID=194
  18. ^ http://download.cnet.com/Vuze/3000-2196_4-10295479.html
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