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Acquisition (software)
Encyclopedia
Acquisition is a Gnutella
-based peer-to-peer
client that is also capable of supporting BitTorrent designed specifically for Mac OS X
. It is based on LimeWire
and is a shareware
product, priced from $25. Acquisition is more noted for its focus on user interface and integration with Mac OS X
than for its originality in features, making full use of Apple's Cocoa
APIs, and has integration with iTunes.
Acquisition uses parts of the LimeWire core libraries, licensed under the GNU General Public License
(GPL). The graphical user interface
and the open source
, modified LimeWire core run as separate processes, communicating via Unix pipes, which allows parts of the software to be relicensed. This follows in the footsteps of the precedent set by Apple's proprietary Xcode
suite, which relies on open source components such as gcc
and gdb.
Although Acquisition uses parts of LimeWire code, it was not affected by LimeWire's decision to disable its client. Recent versions of LimeWire contained blocking code which could be called upon by its parent company to disable the software in case of legal problems; Acquisition, like its sister programs Cabos
and FrostWire
among others, contains no such code, and thus remains running.
Gnutella
Gnutella is a large peer-to-peer network which, at the time of its creation, was the first decentralized peer-to-peer network of its kind, leading to other, later networks adopting the model...
-based peer-to-peer
Peer-to-peer
Peer-to-peer computing or networking is a distributed application architecture that partitions tasks or workloads among peers. Peers are equally privileged, equipotent participants in the application...
client that is also capable of supporting BitTorrent designed specifically for Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
. It is based on LimeWire
LimeWire
LimeWire is a free peer-to-peer file sharing client program that runs on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and other operating systems supported by the Java software platform. LimeWire uses the gnutella network as well as the BitTorrent protocol. A free software version and a purchasable "enhanced"...
and is a shareware
Shareware
The term shareware is a proprietary software that is provided to users without payment on a trial basis and is often limited by any combination of functionality, availability, or convenience. Shareware is often offered as a download from an Internet website or as a compact disc included with a...
product, priced from $25. Acquisition is more noted for its focus on user interface and integration with Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
than for its originality in features, making full use of Apple's Cocoa
Cocoa (API)
Cocoa is Apple's native object-oriented application programming interface for the Mac OS X operating system and—along with the Cocoa Touch extension for gesture recognition and animation—for applications for the iOS operating system, used on Apple devices such as the iPhone, the iPod Touch, and...
APIs, and has integration with iTunes.
Acquisition uses parts of the LimeWire core libraries, licensed under the GNU General Public License
GNU General Public License
The GNU General Public License is the most widely used free software license, originally written by Richard Stallman for the GNU Project....
(GPL). The graphical user interface
Graphical user interface
In computing, a graphical user interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices with images rather than text commands. GUIs can be used in computers, hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players or gaming devices, household appliances and...
and the open source
Open source
The term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...
, modified LimeWire core run as separate processes, communicating via Unix pipes, which allows parts of the software to be relicensed. This follows in the footsteps of the precedent set by Apple's proprietary Xcode
Xcode
Xcode is a suite of tools, developed by Apple, for developing software for Mac OS X and iOS. Xcode 4.2, the latest major version, is available on the Mac App Store for free for Mac OS X 10.7 , and on the Apple Developer Connection website for free to registered developers Xcode is a suite of tools,...
suite, which relies on open source components such as gcc
GNU Compiler Collection
The GNU Compiler Collection is a compiler system produced by the GNU Project supporting various programming languages. GCC is a key component of the GNU toolchain...
and gdb.
Although Acquisition uses parts of LimeWire code, it was not affected by LimeWire's decision to disable its client. Recent versions of LimeWire contained blocking code which could be called upon by its parent company to disable the software in case of legal problems; Acquisition, like its sister programs Cabos
Cabos
Cabos is a free gnutella file sharing program. It is based on LimeWire's source code, and has a similar feel in terms of interface. However, it lacks the chat and library features found in LimeWire...
and FrostWire
FrostWire
FrostWire is a free, open source BitTorrent client first released in September 2004, as a fork of LimeWire. It was initially very similar to LimeWire in appearance and functionality, but over time developers added more features, including BitTorrent support. In version 5, Gnutella support was...
among others, contains no such code, and thus remains running.