OurTunes

Infobox_Software
name = ourTunes



caption = ourTunes 1.3.3
developer = David Blackman
latest_release_version = 1.7f
latest_release_date =
operating_system = Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows with Java Runtime Environment
genre = File sharing
license = Open source
website = [http://ourtunes.sourceforge.net/ http://ourtunes.sourceforge.net/]

ourTunes is an open source cross-platform Java-based file sharing client which allows users to connect to iTunes and share MP3 and AAC music files over a local area subnetwork. ourTunes v1.3.3 has been downloaded over 3,000,000 times. [ [http://ourtunes.sourceforge.net/ ourTunes ] ]

The current version of ourTunes, v1.7f, works with all versions of iTunes including iTunes 7, with both Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows operating systems. OurTunes does not currently work for itunes 8.

History

ourTunes was developed by David Blackman, a Stanford University student. It originally started as 'One2OhMyGod', a Swing-based client designed for iTunes's version 4.1 authorization, which was made obsolete by Apple's release of version 4.5. After Australian student David Hammerton cracked the new encryption and authentication system used by iTunes [http://crazney.net/programs/itunes/libopendaap.html] , One2OhMyGod was forked into a program called 'AppleRecords'. ourTunes was developed further from AppleRecords, including the conceptual design of programs such as MyTunes, designed by Trinity College (Connecticut) student Bill Zeller, although these programs lacked ourTunes's searchability features. [Borland, 2004.]

When iTunes 7 was released, Apple changed the authentication scheme again which caused the older version of ourTunes to fail. In response, a grass roots effort to " [http://saveourtunes.com Save ourTunes] " was founded to develop a version of ourTunes compatible with iTunes 7. So far, a working version has been posted to the website, although the project is not identified as complete. [cite web |url=http://saveourtunes.com/2007/02/09/%ce%b1-version-things-to-come/ |title= α version - Things to come |date= 2007-02-09 |accessdate= 2007-02-11]

Features

Unlike the iTunes music sharing feature, which allows a maximum of five users every 24 hours to connect and listen to the music of another user who has enabled sharing on a given subnetwork, ourTunes allows users to download music files to their own computer and provides the functionality to search through the songs from all connected hosts. ourTunes cannot download music purchased from the iTunes Music Store. Unlike peer-to-peer programs like Kazaa and Napster, ourTunes cannot search for or download music from users who do not share a subnetwork. ourTunes is technically not a peer-to-peer program because it does not offer its users the opportunity to share files. ourTunes offers the ability to both download and stream music off the available shares. Because the program does not operate over the public Internet, users do not attract scrutiny or legal responses from the RIAA, which has asked colleges and universities to crack down on the programs in response.

Use

This software can be useful in environments like dormitories and libraries, where there may be a large number of music sharers on the network.

References

*Borland, John. August 19, 2004. " [http://news.com.com/Hackers+revive+iTunes+music+sharing/2100-1026_3-5316700.html Hackers revive iTunes music sharing] ." CNET News.
*"Ka Leo O Hawaii". June 27, 2006. " [http://www.thenorthernlight.org/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/06/27/44a17f35344dc Recording industry targets LAN file sharing on college campuses] ."(Link broken as of 3/16/2008)
*Hearing before the Subcommittee on Courts, The Internet, and Intellectual Property of the Committee on the Judiciary. September 22, 2005. [http://judiciary.house.gov/media/pdfs/printers/109th/23572.pdf REDUCING PEER-TO-PEER (P2P) PIRACY ON UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES: A PROGRESS UPDATE] . United States House of Representatives. No. 109-156.
*MacMichael, John. 2006. "Wireless home music broadcasting-modifying the NSLU2 to unleash your music!" "Linux Journal". 141: 5.

Notes

External links

* [http://ourtunes.sourceforge.net/ ourTunes homepage]
* [http://saveourtunes.com/ Save OurTunes]