OpenNap (Napster) on the Mac

http://opennap.sourceforge.net/
OpenNap is an opensource implementation of the Napster network. Programmers have recreated the client/server model of Napster in this network.

Instead of one single server location -- hundreds of servers now exist to help coordinate the search queries of connected users. While the network is still structured around central servers, the abundance of them would make it harder to target than the original Napster.

When launching clients for this network, users should be aware there is a start-up lag during which the client will attempt to connect to a number of servers. Unlike other networks described in this site, OpenNap primarily is a peer-to-peer network for MP3 files.

Advantages: Focused on music files
Disadvantages: Connecting to servers can be unpredictable, long queues

OpenNap Clients

Xnap

http://xnap.sourceforge.net/

The major advantage of Xnap is that it is free and opensource. As a cross-platform application, the Mac OS X version is a Java-based application. While it does a reasonable job, the interface is distinctly un-Mac-like.

iSwipe (DonationWare)

http://www.hillmanminx.net/iswipe/

iSwipe is a multi-network client and the most recent version provides support for OpenNap, Gnutella, FastTrack, eDonkey and many others.

Drumbeat ($34.95)

http://www.drumbeat.info/

Drumbeat now has a native Mac OS X version (there is also an OS 8/9 version as well). The interface is a somewhat nicer and some users have better luck with download results.

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