Press Release

MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2000
First official BearShare version release by FreePeers.com

FreePeers.com announces the free download of BearShare, a Windows file sharing peer to peer application. BearShare works using the Gnutella protocol and works with all file types. The program brings more usefulness to the end user than file sharing programs limited to one particular file type, like MPEG Layer 3. BearShare is the first file sharing program based on Gnutella that installs full documentation covering every detail: a feature necessary for the slight increase in complexity of operation required with no centralized server.

In development for over three months, BearShare provides reliability, performance, and technical solutions to problems plauging the Gnutella network, while rewarding users with a powerful, attractive, and friendly application.

Designed from the ground up to achieve high performance, BearShare easily handles thousands of megabits per second, while achieving low CPU usage. BearShare's advanced technology detects and avoids bandwidth barriers, locating connections that are appropriate for the user's speed class, while informing the user with accurate details about their connection status.

"I created BearShare for users looking for the Gnutella client of their dreams" says Vinnie Falco, founder and sole developer for FreePeers. He adds, "Everyone has been silently waiting for a program like this. This is server-room quality code delivered directly to your desktop at no cost. Other clients may give you freedom, but only BearShare gives you the POWER to share."

BearShare is the only program that allows search results to get re-routed along different paths when the message originator is disconnected, while maintaining full compatibility with other clients. The program also provides a number of industry-first features to reduce unneccessary traffic and create better reliability and performance for other users' searches and connections. The network subsystem, written in pure C++ and encapsulated in a separate .DLL file called the FreePeers Agent, uses multiple efficient threads of execution without the need for blocking or waiting as is typical in other programs or languages (like Java).

Features include:

• Complete documentation
• Search or share any type of file
• Keyword highlighting for search results
• Multiple active searches
• Resume incomplete downloads and uploads
• Bandwidth barrier detection and avoidance
• Active monitoring and updating of shared directories
• Connection Setup Wizard
• Resizable window
• Status indicator lights
• Color coded list view items
• Graphical progress display for transfers
• Sorting, multiple selection in lists
• Automatic connection maintenance using the Clip2 DSS host list
• Customizable filters exclude virus file types
• File type filters for searches and shared files
• Search results shows missing, incomplete, and matching files
• Multiple shared directories
• Play/Open/Explore files from Upload, Download, and Monitor pages
• Server type, user agent, and version displays
• Monitor shows hits, requests, uploads
• Comprehensive statistical reporting
• Backup routing
• Reverse lookup for computer addresses
• Compatible with Reflector and LimeWire indexing features
• Simultaneous Active and Passive searching modes
• Strict adherance to Gnutella protocol
• Fully optimized code
• Easy to use
• Much more...

FreePeers, whose company slogan is "The Power to Share", is committed to regular updates and enhancements to their flagship product.

BearShare, full documentation, and a complete feature list, is available at http://www.bearshare.com