BearShare is a service that helps you download free music and share your music files with your friends. The software comes with a music search cum download manager with an integrated IM client. Here is a detailed analysis of the pros and cons of the software.
PROS of BearShare :
1. As it is a P2P software your music search has no limits. You have a chance of finding just about any song by any artist and belonging to any age which is not possible in case of most websites.
2. It has a built in player with good functionality which enables you to play the downloaded songs in the same window. You can also preview the files being downloaded.
3. The search results also give you the details about the media file thus enabling you to select the files to be downloaded on the basis of Bit Rate, duration or ratings too.
4. You have a profile on BearShare and the software has a built in IM client which enables you to interact and communicate with people and friends
5. The software supports many mp3 players and can be used to manage them.
6. Unlike most other P2P clients, BearShare doesn’t bug you with garbage results during its search. Also it has a parental control option and it informs you whenever a file with explicit content is found.
CONS of BearShare :
1. It doesn’t support iPod and thus the mp3 player support feature loses a bit of shine.
2. As your download is dependent upon the availability of peers, you may often end up with queued and pending downloads.
3. The download speed is ordinary. This is one important field in which BearShare can impress with certain improvements.
4. Doesn’t work on OS other than Windows XP
Software Version and Summary
Version: 6.1.0.36802
Licence : Free
Limitations : Needs Active Internet connection
Homepage: BearShare
OS Required : Windows XP
Overall Review and Views
The multi-functionality of the software makes it a great companion for your PC. The software is rich in features and provides an excellent option for downloading and sharing free music. With a little improvement in the download speed, it can prove to be the ultimate solution for your music needs.
So use it and let us if you think whether it is able to ‘bear’ your ‘share’ requirements or not!
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Rishabh
October 6th, 2007 at 12:52 pm #
I had been thinking of using a P2P client lately for managing my music needs and after going through your review I must admit that I’ve pretty much made up my mind to ‘tame’ this bear…thanx a ton..
Spamjammer
October 6th, 2007 at 2:47 pm #
Being a music freak and a heavy downloader , i checked out almost all the p2p clients the web has to offer, and i zeroed upon these two softwares :
- If the requirement is essentially of music, one must go for Bearshare. The new version has a nice interface, a built in anti-virus, a media player and CD burning options.
- But, if you are in search of multimedia [ Softwares included ], I would suggest you to use Ares [http://aresgalaxy.sourceforge.net/]. A very good software to cater to your essential download needs. The only hitch is lack of a parental control. Anything apart, it is quite good, with a simple interface. Just install it and its ready to go.
Madhur Kapoor
October 6th, 2007 at 2:50 pm #
I used it earlier but it is full of adwares and spywares so i switched to Limewire .
Shashank
October 6th, 2007 at 4:21 pm #
I ve installed bearshare a long time ago just for experiment purposes and then unistalled :D limewire is what i am hooked to
Rishi
October 8th, 2007 at 11:54 am #
BearShare is a total rip-off of iMesh. Still, its a good idea. LimeWire and iMesh is then also my preference and better than BS.
Nirmal
October 8th, 2007 at 2:45 pm #
Looks good and how is the music collection and download speed? I use limewire.
fade
March 20th, 2008 at 7:34 pm #
4 me dis is prty lame daz y i have limewire works btr than bearshare but ill tell u dat if ur comp isnt protected it CAN get a virus!