A way to get rid of KaZAa & Morpheus

[Cory]

I dont mean to belittle his work or anything. Im sure this wasnt easy to do.

My point is that most people who download a program like Kazaa do so withthe intent of "illegally" acquiring music, videos, programs, etc. These people arent likely to want to block themselves from using such programs. Of course I would *NEVER* use any illegal filesharing programs, so who am I to speak

Cory

[Andy A.]

I would take a moment to point out that, if you really just want to kill P2P software because of the spyware that often comes bundled, there are several good freeware programs out there that will do a very good job, and are well supported.

Lavasoft makes my personal favorite, Adaware. It's a little harder to find the free version on their site these days, but its there and I've been happy with it.

As for Process Killer, I don't entirely see the point for the same reasons as Cory.

As for WJView, it is a legit process, although it is sometimes running under the control of spyware. Look here for more information.

-Andy A.

[Alex Pelan]

Originally Posted by Andy A.

I would take a moment to point out that, if you really just want to kill P2P software because of the spyware that often comes bundled, there are several good freeware programs out there that will do a very good job, and are well supported.

Lavasoft makes my personal favorite, Adaware. It's a little harder to find the free version on their site these days, but its there and I've been happy with it.

As for Process Killer, I don't entirely see the point for the same reasons as Cory.

As for WJView, it is a legit process, although it is sometimes running under the control of spyware. Look here for more information.

-Andy A.

FYI, if you uninstall the spyware that comes with these sharing programs, they no longer work, so if it's the spyware you're worried about, you will have to remove the program (process killer does the job).

[Raven_Writer]

Thank you all for contributing to your own ideas and such on the topic of P2P and related things.

I'd just like to clarify this as best as I can right now...PK (Process Killer) is not an uninstall utility. I never planned on that aspect, and right now I will not add that in. Basically, it's open-source abandon-ware (software not being worked on anymore). The idea of possibly having PK do that is great, and I if someone would like to contribute that to the program, I'd be more than happy to see it, and the like.

Again, I really do appreciate everyone for contributing their ideas and whatnot, even when levels don't balance out.

//// a little off topic
** I'd just like to say that if you do decide to write an uninstsaller into PK, that you will have to do a GUI for it, since PK wasn't ment to be seen by anyone (it tries to remain as invisible as possible). Like I said though, if anyone wants to put that into PK, or write something that does it, and possibly works with PK also, please do so. That is why I love the open-source community **
///// end a little off topic

[Joe Ross]

It's main use isn't for people on thier personal computers, but someone who manages computers. It's for the sysadmin keeping track of hundreds of computers, or a dad who wants to make sure that his kids respect intellectual property.

[Raven_Writer]

To everyone who doesn't understand why this was made, here's the purpose:

A while ago my sister kept installing Kazaa & Morpheus on the main computer (aka: the only one with a connection to the internet). I didn't want the RIAA or whoever to bust in our house and take away the computer, so I wrote this little program. What it does is searches for Kazaa and Morpheus, along with some known programs (that I am aware of) that they install also. It checks all the running processes for Kazaa and Morpheus, and if they are found, it just exits them out.

As to what Joe Ross said, he is also correct. I didn't aim for that purpose, but now that I think about it, it could work.

@Andy: I am aware of Ad-aware I use it all the time, and it is a great program. This isn't intended to uninstall any programs, just to get people who use it annoyed.

Also, I do realize that if anyone thinks about it, they could just Ctrl+Alt+Del and end the process, but I was aiming for a quick and dirty helper, just to inform everyone.

@Matt: Thanks for backing me up on this program.

[Raven_Writer]

Ok, I have fixed all the errors w/ my website, and all links should be working fine now.

The source ( http://www15.brinkster.com/usfirst/dl/PK_Source.zip ) is now available for download.

[Jeff Rodriguez]

Originally Posted by Raven_Writer

I didn't want the RIAA or whoever to bust in our house and take away the computer, so I wrote this little program.

Unless your sister was doing serious downloading, to the tune of thousands of songs, than I don't think that will be a problem.

[Billfred]

According to the RIAA, you're right. But I recall reports where people sharing relatively small amounts of files (say, a small CD collection's worth), were getting subpoenas. But judge that as you will.

Personally, I'm down with anything that is meant for its purpose. Props for finding your own solution to the problem.

--Billfred

-----------------------------
"Kill the notion of biting and recycling and calling it your own creation."
--The Fugees, Zealots

[Raven_Writer]

Originally Posted by Ogre

Unless your sister was doing serious downloading, to the tune of thousands of songs, than I don't think that will be a problem.

At one time she had around 500 megs of MP3's on the computer, so I think that'd be some heavy duty downloading

Originally Posted by Billfred

According to the RIAA, you're right. But I recall reports where people sharing relatively small amounts of files (say, a small CD collection's worth), were getting subpoenas. But judge that as you will.

Personally, I'm down with anything that is meant for its purpose. Props for finding your own solution to the problem.

--Billfred

I have read about the subpoenas, but I'd rather be much safer than sorry

Thanks also.

The only way around the lawsuits and stuff is to prove that you actually bought the CD from what I've gathered from a bunch of sites.

Back on topic though, if anyone does like this program, I can try to add more P2P programs for blocking.

[Matt Attallah]

Originally Posted by Raven_Writer

At one time she had around 500 megs of MP3's on the computer, so I think that'd be some heavy duty downloading ....

Pfft...

Rookie....

[Cory]

500 mb? Heavy downloading?

You dont have anything to worry about. I downloaded 10 GB of movies and music yesterday. (And the RIAA can't do crap about it either since I doubt they monitor internetwork traffic at WPI)

Better safe than sorry though I guess

[Wetzel]

Originally Posted by Raven_Writer

At one time she had around 500 megs of MP3's on the computer, so I think that'd be some heavy duty downloading
...
The only way around the lawsuits and stuff is to prove that you actually bought the CD from what I've gathered from a bunch of sites.

I've over 20gb of mp3 on my computer. 18 gigs of them are ripped cds that I bought and own. Most of the remaining 2 gigs has been downloaded legally from sites such as http://www.archive.org/audio/.

Last time I checked, the burden of proof is on the plaintiff, not the defendant. I have the vast majority of the cds I riped, but some have been lost/stolen/eaten. The burden of proof is on the RIAA to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the music was not paid for. When I can produce 95% of my cds, and place a stack of a few hundred on a table in front of a jury, it is reasonable that I've misplaced a few cds. There would exist reasonable doubt that I had to steal the music to place it on my computer.

Listen, buy and support local artists.

Wetzel