Emule: A P2P Program

Emule is a P2P program that allows users to browse vast stores of audio, video, and data files. In terms of volume of files it is one of the best P2P programs out there. However, it has a bit of a learning curve, and like other P2P programs it carries the risk of perpetrating copyright infringement by downloading copies of licensed content. If you choose to take the risk and use it wisely, then you will reap the benefits of one of the largest sources of digital media available.

Emule works as a large network of servers, each containing different volumes of files. Unless you're looking for a very specific type of file, it is best just to have the program automatically select servers for you. Therefore, after you set up your profile with the Emule wizard, just hit the "connect" button on the left-hand side of the screen. Also, before you start searching it's a good idea to set your download and upload limits. Unlike other P2P programs that allow you to download even if you don't share files, downloading capability on Emule is severely restricted unless you allow at least a nominal bandwith ceiling. It is a good idea to set your upload limit on the control panel at about 15-20 kb per second. This is the optimum range and will allow you to download at higher speed as well as earn credits through the credit system. The credit system is a nice little feature of Emule in which you are rewarded for uploading files to users. If you upload a certain amount of data, then you will be given credits. These credits will allow you to move through queue lines faster when you're downloading files. The only drawback is that the credit system is not universal in Emule, which means that you can only move up through credits in the queue lines of people who have downloaded files from you directly.

Emule works best if you are not behind a firewall or a router. This is due to the ID system that the program assigns to each user based upon their bandwith and ability to send and receive packets of data. A High ID (displayed in green) is indicative of someone with a large bandwith who doesn't have firewall or router restrictions on the program. A Low ID (displayed in yellow) is indicative of a computer with a small bandwith or restrictions due to a firewall or router. Naturally, one wants to attain a High ID because it allows to access to more download sources and allows you to progress through queue lists quicker. In order to get a High ID if you are labeled a Low ID, you need to tweak your firewall or router settings. It is much easier to allow Emule as an exception behind Windows Firewall, but it's a bit trickier to get around a router. People who either connect to the internet via phone lines through a DSL service or access the internet remotely with a wireless card have to go through a router. And with Emule, routers restrict the total bandwith and IDs in turn. But fear not, there is a way to get around the router restrictions through a process known as port-forwarding. The tricky part is that many routers have different interfaces. All I can say is to find out what kind of router you connect through and visit the following website for instructions:

http://www.portforward.com/english/routers/port_forwarding/routerindex.htm

Here are some general guidelines when using Emule. First, since it is a P2P program, it contains a lot of music, videos, and files that qualify for illegal copyright infringement. Therefore, in order to protect yourself, you need to exercise caution using the program. If you don't want to deal with possible consequences of downloading and sharing through Emule, it's best not to use it. But if you do make the choice, then discretion is the best way to stay low on the radar. Only share files that are not copyright protected and if you do decide to download copyright-protected files, it's best to put them in a directory that is not shared. When performing searches with Emule, you'll get more results if you use the Global (Servers) method on the search screen. As a general rule, you'll have the best luck downloading files that have at least ten sources (the filename will be outlined in blue). Finally, since queue lists for a file could potentially be extremely large, it is best to keep Emule running continuously for long periods of time. If you close Emule, then you will lose your position in queue lines and have to wait all over again to get a good position.

There are a number of tweaks that can slightly improve the program's performance available in the Emule help file. This is a very comprehensive and useful file that all beginners should read through. That's the general gist on Emule. If you're willing to follow P2P precautions, then you will certainly reap benefits of one best P2P programs available.