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Exeem Open Beta Released

BrasOnMyGuitar writes "The file sharing application known as eXeem (made by the creators of the now-defunct file-sharing site SuprNova.org) has gone into public beta. The program is based on the BitTorrent protocol. However, it eliminates the need for trackers and decentralizes the user from the network. This allows for Kazaa-style searching with the speeds and benefits of the BitTorrent protocol." Reader Eeknay points out that Linux users can run it too.

41 of 394 comments (clear)

  1. First Thoughts by Klar · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Just downloaded the program, the interface is pretty p2p standard. When installing, It asks you to install an eXeem IE Toolbar, which I did not do.. Also, it seems to be having problems connecting to the network and searching for files. Hopefully it will be as widely used as suprnova was, and have some good download speeds. After several tries, I was able to connect to the network, and find a few files, but there were very few results, and only 1 seed on each of them. Since suprnova has been down, I've mostly just been using torrentspy. Anyone have an other recommendations for sites? I prefer just having web pages, so I don't have to run a separate client.

    1. Re:First Thoughts by surefooted1 · · Score: 3, Informative

      Mininova.org and Thepiratebay.com/org (I forgot sorry) Those are both good ones.

    2. Re:First Thoughts by martok · · Score: 5, Insightful

      It's unfortunate that they aren't opening this protocol as BitTorrent was. The nice thing about BitTorrent is the user can run it under any environment he chooses. From a gui windows program or as in my case, via btdownloadheadless/btlaunchmany on a headless fileserver.

      This seems like just another p2p app to me.

    3. Re:First Thoughts by russint · · Score: 3, Informative

      The pirate bayFree for all, the worlds largest tracker.
      Torrentbytes, requires registration. Only new releases, great download speeds.
      Filelist, requires registration. Only new releases, great download speeds.
      Elitetorrents, requires registration. Only new releases, great download speeds.

      --
      ^^
    4. Re:First Thoughts by Jugalator · · Score: 3, Informative

      The world's largest P2P tracker was unharmed when MPAA went berserk and is at tracker.piratbyran.org.

      There's sometimes some web server hickups and they've done some maintenance recently.
      The server load increased a lot when Suprnova entered hide & seek mode.
      Just wait a while if it's down and it should be online again, with thousands of torrents and seeders. ;-)

      --
      Beware: In C++, your friends can see your privates!
    5. Re:First Thoughts by kid-noodle · · Score: 4, Informative

      Yeah, so you didn't install the eXeem toolbar.

      But you did just install cydoor, kudos to them for actually rolling this, but I'm happy sticking with the alternatives until a version not spyware ridden appears.

      I'll repeat that, because it isn't made instantly clear (fairly clear, but not as clear as I'd like): eXeem will install cydoor, with no opt-out.

      --
      fortune -o
    6. Re:First Thoughts by hobo2k · · Score: 3, Informative
      In fact disabling eXeem's spyware is a breech of contract. From the EULA:
      6.5 In exchange for downloading the Software at no cost, you expressly agree that you accept the Embedded Third Party Software and that so long as you have not entirely deleted the Software from your computer you will not take any action, including downloading other software which modifies, is intended to modify or permits others to modify registry or other settings on your computer to, disable, remove, block, prevent the functioning of, or otherwise interfere with any of the Embedded Third Party Software.
      I'm not saying that this should surprise anyone. Kazaa is well known for its spyware and eXeem is positioning itself as a Kazaa replacement. For most users the free (as in no money) access to large amounts of copyrighted content is ample compensation for having their machine rooted by a company which wants to make money off their personal info. The hidden cost of being 0wned by cydoor is much less than the obvious cost of actually buying the CDs or DVDs that you want to enjoy.

      whoops, there goes my "excellent" karma.

    7. Re:First Thoughts by I(rispee_I(reme · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Exeem Lite coming soon

  2. Privacy of the person sharing? by surefooted1 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    How well does it protect the person sharing or seeding the file?

  3. Usage by Vandil+X · · Score: 5, Funny

    And of course, eXeem will be used exclusively for the mass distribution of Free, Open Source, GNU, and GPL'd software.

    --
    Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, START
  4. Well... by Neophytus · · Score: 4, Interesting

    It now does nothing really that new, apart from using the bittorrent protocol. Networks like the long lost WinMX have supported downloading from users with partially downloaded for years now.

    I guess it just saves the client from searching for the peers itself, leaving that job to the supernodes.

  5. eXeem lite... by KhalidBoussouara · · Score: 5, Informative

    ...has already been released.

    eXeem Lite

  6. No native binaries for Linux by Slayer_X · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Actually the client runs with the help of wine, I prefer native binaries :/

    --
    - Slayer_X
    http://www.slayerx.org/
    Lima
  7. Yay RIAA! by Alan · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's nice to see that the taking down of sites and services such as napster and suprnova has stopped piracy in it's tracks!

  8. Mini Review by bgreg03 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    As the guy above said, when you first open this program, it appears to be a very normal p2p program, like kazaa and ares. The ability to create your own 'torrents' is what will really set this service apart. Some of the downsides of the other p2p applications (including bittorrent apps) was the inability of the layman user to contribute and share things new and unique. I personally think you will see this take off VERY quickly, and will be the next level of p2p. Lets see how this turns out.

    1. Re:Mini Review by aero2600-5 · · Score: 3, Interesting

      "The ability to create your own 'torrents' is what will really set this service apart. Some of the downsides of the other p2p applications (including bittorrent apps) was the inability of the layman user to contribute and share things new and unique."

      I'm sure this has never occurred to you, but do you think it's possible that not allowing the average user to create their own torrents might be a good thing? Really, do I want to sift through 20 different torrents for the most recent episode of The Daily show because some boobs downloaded it from Loki and wanted to be the first to post it on Exeem? The reason why Suprnova.org was so great was that just about every torrent, unless posted by a regular submitter, was checked before making it onto the front page. Having people download from 20 different torrents instead of just one completely defeats the purpose of swarmed downloading.

      I think Exeem will quickly turn into another Kazaa, except slightly better. It'll wind up being full of garbage just like Kazaa. I hope I'm wrong, but that's what will happen when you let anyone submit anything they want.

      And before someone tries to lecture me on the comment system built into Exeem, and how it'll prevent all of these problems, it won't. For anyone looking for an example, the second most seeded file on Exeem at the moment is called 'Barbie web cam sexe.mpeg' It has 102 seeds, a rating of 81.6%, yet all of the comments say it's stupid and not worth the bandwidth. I'm glad the comment system is getting rid of all those worthless downloads.

      I'll stick to the real BitTorrent, open-source and spyware-free, and I'll just continue to support the sites that aren't willing to cave like suprnova.org.

      Aero

      --
      Please stop hurting America -- Jon Stewart
  9. Re:Woohoo by Bungopolis · · Score: 4, Informative

    From the FAQ:

    14. Is eXeem(TM) open source?
    No, eXeem(TM) is not open source.

  10. official torrent download link by Zulithe · · Score: 4, Informative

    http://suprbash.org/vip/lexa/exeem020.torrent from a moderator in the exeem chatroom happy torrenting

  11. Re:Spyware by Bungopolis · · Score: 5, Informative

    According to the eXeem Lite FAQ eXeem does contain spyware.

  12. Torrent for the beta? by dr_skipper · · Score: 3, Funny

    Anyone hosting a torrent for the exeem beta?

    I'd check suprnova.org but you know... lol

  13. Re:Safe and sane P2P client... by goldspider · · Score: 4, Insightful
    "2) will the record industry's Nazis come kicking down my door for downloading Linux-related files?"

    No, the record industry's Nazis will come kicking down your door for illegally distributing copyrighted music.

    --
    "Ask not what your country can do for you." --John F. Kennedy
  14. eliminate trackers, doom bittorrent by sbma44 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Hey! No need for trackers! Hurrah! Peers can just find each other automatically! Gosh, I wonder how that works -- could it be a standardized port range? And could that make it incredibly easy to throttle, track and persecute BitTorrent use?!?!

    If my hunch is correct, these guys are morons. The nominal point of Exeem is to reduce the ability of copyright owners to sue pirates. Actually, it'll make it much easier for BigChampagne and others to track down users and prosecute them. Way to go, guys.

    Please note that I'm not making a moral judgment about piracy -- please withhold the flames. My point is simply that the Exeem architecture, while created to fix BT's legal vulnerability, is actually likely to enhance it.

  15. it's not opensource by kard · · Score: 5, Insightful

    from the exeem-faq:
    How can eXeem(TM) be free?
    eXeem(TM) is supported only by ad revenue. This allows the developers to continue making upgrades to the network and enhancing the eXeem client for you.

    bittorent-faq:
    BitTorrent is great! How can I help?
    You can give a donation.

    see the difference?

    exeem-faq:
    Is eXeem(TM) open source?
    No, eXeem(TM) is not open source.

    bittorrent-faq:
    What license is BitTorrent released under?
    MIT License, which basically lets you do anything you want with it so long as you leave the license notification in the source.

    bittorent is there, it's widespread, does not contain any ads, the source code is available, runs on anything that runs python (means mac/win/linux and a lot more)

    and btw the author lives from the paypal donations he receives from the happy users.

    somehow the suprnova people do not understand these things...

  16. Cydoor Spyware, Ads, Toolbar by Alien+Venom · · Score: 5, Informative

    If you are really interested in downloading it, you can download it from FileForum as the main site is down.

    But please beware. It does constain spyware!

    As stated in their privacy policy:
    The ads appearing on the Exeem.com Web site and within eXeem(TM) application are delivered by our web advertising partner, Cydoor. Information about users of eXeem(TM) and Exeem.com, such as the number of times they have viewed an ad (but not user name, address, or other personal information), is used to serve ads to users. If you would like more information about Cydoor, please visit. Ads that might appear outside Exeem.com and eXeem(TM) application are Opt-out ads, that you have a chance to uninstall. Outside Exeem.com and eXeem(TM) application is eXeem's Toolbar LookSmart.

  17. Re:Spyware by NetNifty · · Score: 5, Informative

    Yup, says here that they use Cydoor, and a quick google pretty much confirms that it's spyware, or that company uses spyware at least, and hence shouldn't be trusted.

  18. lite client by Lukano · · Score: 4, Informative

    http://www.exlite.net for the "lite" spyware/adware free version (I had sumbitted this story too with this included - but no, it got rejected *sigh*).

    It's the 0.18 beta which asks for a key, but until a lite of 0.20 is released, if you close the window asking for a beta key, the program will work.

    The official 0.20 client is confirmed to include Cydoor and SearchSquire right out of the box.

  19. Libtorrent by Rangsk · · Score: 4, Informative

    Exeem uses libtorrent as its codebase, with extra coding for the decentralized tracker. Libtorrent is an open source GPL'd C++ implementation of the bittorrent protocol. The only requirements for compiling it are support for STL and the latest Boost. This means it works in Windows, Linux, Mac OSX... even cygwin! It's also a library, so it can be plugged into any application.

    I've had many communications with the creator, and he's a very cool guy and quite dedicated to the work. I helped a little with debugging, etc, but my main interest at the time was using it to in my own graphical interface. I never completed the project, but I still feel a good connection to libtorrent.

    --
    "Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose." --Douglas Adams
    1. Re:Libtorrent by yeremein · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Libtorrent is an open source GPL'd C++ implementation of the bittorrent protocol.

      You're right--it is GPL. Not LGPL.

      This means eXeem needs to release the source code of their client, rather than shipping a spyware-encrusted binary, or they're infringing libtorrent's copyright.

      Then again, why would I expect the authors of eXeem to respect anyone's copyright?

  20. Re:Spyware by Caine · · Score: 4, Informative
    You say the FAQ doesn't claim eXeem has spyware?


    11. What is the official eXeem website? Return
    the eXeem website is located here, but the official eXeem client does contain spyware!

    ...I rest my case.

  21. Definitely Has Spyware by gbulmash · · Score: 4, Informative
    From the site's privacy statement....

    "The ads appearing on the Exeem.com Web site and within eXeem(TM) application are delivered by our web advertising partner, Cydoor. Information about users of eXeem(TM) and Exeem.com, such as the number of times they have viewed an ad (but not user name, address, or other personal information), is used to serve ads to users."

    Cydoor is given a 7/10 Threat Assessment level by lavasoft.de, makers of AdAware.

  22. Not suprnova by Lord_Dweomer · · Score: 5, Informative
    I don't care how often the press releases state this is the next version of Suprnova....it is NOT.

    The company behind Exeem (there is indeed a company, and they are going to be profiting, which raises some interesting legal questions) basically paid the creator of Suprnova for the rights to use his name and to basically say that Exeem is the next Suprnova. In layman's terms: They bought his credibility and userbase.

    Personally, that doesn't matter that much to me. If it works, and gets as large as Suprnova with more protection and overall improvements...well, what do I care if they make money off of it. However, I will NOT tolerate any spyware/adware (a banner ad in the window is fine) bundled with it. Thankfully the makers of Exeemlite have taken care of this. I wonder how aggressively the folks at Exeem will handle this. The folks over at Sharman Networks (Kazaa) basically cut off everybody else on Kazaalite from their existing network.

    So, in conclusion, I don't care if they make money as long as it helps protect me, and gives me more value than Suprnova did, and I will not tolerate any spyware/adware. If they screw that up, they've just screwed themselves.

    --
    Buy Steampunk Clothing Online!
  23. It has. by Spy+der+Mann · · Score: 5, Informative
    From TFA:

    Third Party Advertising
    The ads appearing on the Exeem.com Web site and within eXeem(TM) application are delivered by our web advertising partner, Cydoor. Information about users of eXeem(TM) and Exeem.com, such as the number of times they have viewed an ad (but not user name, address, or other personal information), is used to serve ads to users. If you would like more information about Cydoor, please visit: http://www.cydoor.com/Cydoor/Company/CompanyPrivac y.htm

    Ads that might appear outside Exeem.com and eXeem(TM) application are Opt-out ads, that you have a chance to uninstall. Outside Exeem.com and eXeem(TM) application is eXeem's Toolbar LookSmart.


    And from elsewhere:


    Spyware: Cydoor

    NUISANCE LEVEL *****
    THREAT LEVEL *****

    Cydoor

    This technology can be activated both in online and offline modes. The technology's architecture can be integrated into any software program. Cydoor can update or rotate banner ads not only when users are online, but also when they are offline. Upon installation of a software application integrated with their advertising technology, Cydoor Technologies sets a numerical identifier on your computer.

    The following files are used:

    In C:\Windows\System: cd_clint.dll, cd_gif.dll, cd_swf.dll and cd_load.exe.

    Removal:

    You can delete the C:\Windows\System\Adcache directory. Then remove all instances from the Registry. Look in HKLM\Software, HKCU\Software. Look also for entries in HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Run and in HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Shareddlls.

    If you wish to KaZaa without the Cydoor spyware, copy the cd_clint.dll, remove the Cydoor agents with a spyware cleaner, and place the cd_clint.dll back in the Windows System folder.


    OK, I think I'll pass.
  24. Exeem is adware ridden by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    You might want to check out this FAQ, particularly point 2.

    Say, are those popups jumping on your desktop?

    1. Re:Exeem is adware ridden by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

      I always run things like keygens under Virtual PC. It can install all the adware, trojans, and malware it wants, and once the key is generated, I just say "buh-bye" and discard changes to the virtual hard-disk image.

      Sounds like the same strategy would be handy for running Exeem.

  25. the profiling they do for adverts would help RIAA by CdBee · · Score: 3, Interesting

    a P2P company is going to be profiling its users - and you;re worried about spyware?

    Can you imagine the legal field-day if the RIAA got hold of Exeem's user profiles, with records of everything they downloaded?

    --
    I have been a user for about 10 years. This ends Feb 2014. The site's been ruined. I'm off. Dice, FU
  26. Spyware infested filth! by i41Overlord · · Score: 4, Informative

    Everyone was hoping that this would replace Suprnova.

    Sad news- it doesn't.

    The dead memory of Suprnova has been replaced by a spyware infested program that is marketed under the guise of being a Suprnova replacement.

    If you like clogging your system up with programs such as Cydoor, be my guest. But if not, reject this filth.

  27. More than a little skeptical... by XeRXeS-TCN · · Score: 4, Informative

    Well firstly, it's already been said in previous Slashdot posts that it's a company responsible for this, who the former owner of Suprnova has some sort of agreement with, which gives them credibility that they don't necessarily deserve (yet.)

    But in the grand scheme of things, the client isn't open source, so you really don't know what's going on in there. And what's worse, the EULA revokes your right to disassemble / reverse-engineer the software, so they may well crack down on anyone trying to distribute an open source version:

    b.In addition to those prohibitions contained elsewhere herein, you agree you will not: ... (iv) modify, alter, decompile, disassemble, reverse engineer or emulate the functionality, reverse compile or otherwise reduce to human readable form, or create derivative works of the Software without the prior written consent of Swarm or its licensors, as applicable

    Secondly, from the privacy policy:

    Personal Data Collection and Use The collection of personally identifiable data on this site by Exeem.com is only gathered from information that has been submitted to Exeem.com freely and deliberately by site users. Exeem.com reserves the right to use this data in the following ways:

    ...

    Third Party Advertising
    The ads appearing on the Exeem.com Web site and within eXeem(TM) application are delivered by our web advertising partner, Cydoor. Information about users of eXeem(TM) and Exeem.com, such as the number of times they have viewed an ad (but not user name, address, or other personal information), is used to serve ads to users.

    So the app spams you with ads, and what's worse, Wikipedia has this to say about Cydoor:

    Cydoor is a spyware program that causes popup and pop-under ads to be displayed while you are browsing the Internet. It also re-routes your web requests through third-party servers for the purpose of capturing your web surfing habits.

    So you're not only spammed with ads, you're installing spyware. This is confirmed by eXeem Lite's FAQ:

    2. Does eXlite contain spyware?
    eXlite was sorely made to take out the spyware from eXeem so to make it clear eXlite does not contain spyware.

    A closed source, advert spamming, spyware installing pile of crap that you are expressly forbidden from reverse engineering... sounds like a whole barrel of laughs.

    As far as I'm concerned, eXeem can go and fornicate itself with an iron stick.

  28. Not by SuprNova.org by BobPaul · · Score: 4, Informative

    This program is NOT written by the guys at SuprNova.org. It is simply endorsed by the guys at SuprNova.org. Listen to the radio interviews with for verification.

  29. Re:Safe and sane P2P client... by aero2600-5 · · Score: 4, Informative

    which way is up, this post you've just made and received a "+5 informative" for is my post from December 2nd when Exeem was first brought up for discussion. It would appear that this is the second time you've done this today. Quit being such a karma whore.

    As a side note, I was banned from the Exeem beta forum for making this post on Slashdot.

    Moderators, please mod down this plagiarizing piece of crap.

    Aero

    --
    Please stop hurting America -- Jon Stewart
  30. Yeah, but what if... by DrYak · · Score: 3, Insightful

    There's a big probleme with commercial application going to linux. For most enterprises : "Linux" = "A windows compatible x86 machine running Linux instead of Windows". I bet their linux console version will be just a x86 binary, compiled on a Fedora Core machine (a that could run maybe on SuSE Linux if you fix a couple of missing libraries). Hello ! There a lot of other architectures on which Linux runs ! And this specially important for internet related software, because there's a lot of MIPS-powered hardware hacked to run Linux. (I'm not speaking about the Linksys WT54G - it doesn't have a harddisc. I'm speaking about a lot of Linux+MIPS based file servers running Samba. They are good candidate to run p2p downloaders). And I won't even mention Wine : It requires a X11 server and it's everything but what is needed for a headless server.

    --
    "Sufficiently advanced satire is indistinguishable from reality." - [Tips: 1DrYakQDKCQ6y52z6QbnkxHXAocMZJE61o ]
  31. Re:License Violation by interJ · · Score: 5, Informative
    You are wrong.

    From the libtorrent documentation: libtorrent is released under the BSD-license.

    I don't see any COPYING file in the archive, and the source files contain the following:

    Copyright (c) 2003, Arvid Norberg, Daniel Wallin
    All rights reserved.

    Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
    modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
    are met:

    * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
    * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in
    the documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
    * Neither the name of the author nor the names of its
    contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived
    from this software without specific prior written permission.

    THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
    AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
    IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
    ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE
    LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR
    CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF
    SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS
    INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN
    CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE)
    ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
    POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.