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Vuze

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Suggestednickname (talk | contribs) at 17:36, 14 January 2011 (→‎Azureus release history: introduced uTP support (see utorrent for details, and vuze 4.6.0.0 changelog/readme)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Vuze
Developer(s)Vuze, Inc.
Initial releaseJune 2003; 21 years ago (2003-06)
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
Size8.45 MB
Available inMultilingual (52 Languages)
TypeBitTorrent client
LicenseModified GNU General Public License (core)
Proprietary (platform)
Websitehttp://www.vuze.com/

Vuze (previously Azureus) is a BitTorrent client used to transfer files via the BitTorrent protocol. Vuze is written in Java, and uses the Azureus Engine. In addition to downloading data linked to by .torrent files, Azureus 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 earn money from it.

Azureus was first released in June 2003 at SourceForge.net, mostly to experiment with the Standard Widget Toolkit from Eclipse. It later became one of the most popular BitTorrent clients.[4] The Azureus software was released under the GNU General Public License, and remains as a free software application. However, the Vuze software added in more recent versions is proprietary and users are required to accept these more restrictive license terms in order to install current versions of the BitTorrent client.

Overview

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

Features

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

Vuze/Azureus "swarm view" visualizes the incoming and outgoing torrent connections in real-time.

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 or 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.
  • Default Port: 52870

Interface

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

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 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):

  • Bananas[citation needed]
  • 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 [6]

History

Azureus release history

Color Meaning
Red Release no longer supported
Green Release still supported
Blue Future release
changed (ex 4.5 or 5.0)-->

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,[10] and sublicensing.[11] As with many similar licenses, the Azureus licence includes a prohibition on use of the software by people "under the age of 18."[12] Allegedly, the TOS only applies to the website, vuze.com, and not the software,[13] however the actual TOS include the application as part of the platform.[14]

Vuze To Go

In May 2009, Vuze collaborated with company named Ceedo and created a portable version Vuze called Vuze To Go; however, this portable version is not free.

Criticism

Vuze is categorized as Adware by Softpedia,[15] 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.[16][17][18]

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.[19]

Due to alleged problems with incorrect statistics reporting and users' frequent use of modified versions for ratio cheating (In general, Share ratio is a measure of sharing activity. The ratio is calculated by dividing the amount of uploaded data by the amount of downloaded data. If the ratio is over 1.0, more data has been uploaded than downloaded [20]. Some private trackers require a share ratio of specified value, usually over 1, to make sure every user is contributing (seeding) and not leeching), Vuze is often disliked on private trackers. In February 2010, two of the largest music trackers decided to ban the use of Vuze by their members.[21] It is uncertain whether others will follow suit.

Vuze includes built-in support for Tor (The Onion Router), an anonymity network. The onion routers 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.[22][23] By default, the Tor exit policy blocks the standard BitTorrent ports.[24]

See also

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". Sourceforge.net. Retrieved 2009-07-14.
  5. ^ "Main Page - AzureusWiki". AzureusWiki<!. 2008-10-15. Retrieved 2009-07-14.
  6. ^ "Azureus, now called Vuze : Java BitTorrent client - Plugins". Azureus.sourceforge.net. Retrieved 2009-07-14.
  7. ^ "Azureus, now called Vuze : Java BitTorrent Client - Changelog". Azureus.sourceforge.net. Retrieved 2009-07-14.
  8. ^ "Azureus, now called Vuze : Java BitTorrent Client - Changelog". Azureus.sourceforge.net. Retrieved 2009-07-14.
  9. ^ "Confusion about name change". Apcmag.com. 2008-06-17. Retrieved 2009-07-14.
  10. ^ "Section 8.12". Vuze.com. Retrieved 2009-07-14.
  11. ^ "Section 8.2". Vuze.com. Retrieved 2009-07-14.
  12. ^ "Section 1 and Section 8.10". Vuze.com. Retrieved 2009-07-14.
  13. ^ "Azureus 2 / 3 and Vuze". AzureusWiki. 2008-06-27. Retrieved 2009-07-14.
  14. ^ "Section 0". Vuze.com. Retrieved 2009-07-14.
  15. ^ "Download Vuze (formerly Azureus) 4.2.0.5 Beta 03 / 4.2.0.4 Stable Free Trial - A freeware Java based BitTorrent client". Softpedia. Retrieved 2009-07-14.
  16. ^ "Vuze FAQ / How do I uninstall the Vuze Toolbar?". Faq.vuze.com. Retrieved 2009-07-14.
  17. ^ "Vuze FAQ / How do I "uninstall" the Vuze Toolbar in Firefox?". Faq.vuze.com. Retrieved 2009-07-14.
  18. ^ "Vuze FAQ / How do I "uninstall" the Vuze Toolbar in Internet Explorer?". Faq.vuze.com. Retrieved 2009-07-14.
  19. ^ sadekamr (2009-07-10). "Vuze - Free software downloads and reviews - CNET Download.com". Download.cnet.com. Retrieved 2009-07-14.
  20. ^ "Vuze share ratio". http://wiki.vuze.com. Retrieved 2010-12-16. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ TEAM FILEnetworks (2010-02-20). "Vuze and Deluge to be banned". FILEnetworks Blog. Retrieved 2010-02-20.
  22. ^ https://wiki.torproject.org/noreply/TheOnionRouter/TorifyHOWTO/BitTorrent
  23. ^ https://blog.torproject.org/blog/why-tor-is-slow
  24. ^ https://wiki.torproject.org/noreply/TheOnionRouter/TorFAQ#Istherealistofdefaultexitports.3F
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vuze.
Major Version Minor Version[7][8] Release Date Significant Changes
1.0 1.0.0.0 ? ?
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
4.4.0.0 6 April 2010 Introduced Vuze Plus
4.6.0.0 13 January 2011 Introduced µTP / uTP support
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