The Operating System

aMule has been tested to run with the OS types listed below. However, it may work with others; they just may not have made it completely through the testing process at this time

• Mac OSX
• Windows
• Linux
• Solaris
• IRIX
• BSD including FreeBSD, OpenBSD, and NetBSD

C Libraries

For successful operation, make sure your computer includes both the standard C and the standard C++ libraries. The internal aMule code needs both to function correctly.

Widgets

You’ll also need wsWidgets 2.8.7 or a higher release. If you’re only going to run the command-line version of aMule, you can get by with wxBase, but GUI versions will need the more robust version.

Bison

Without Bison, a general purpose parser used by many GNU projects, aMule won’t compile on your machine. If you’re not familiar with application code, anything that requires an executable must be compiled before it can be used. Luckily, Bison is available for free.

The Free Zlib Library

Zlib is another completely free tool needed by aMule. It’s a general-purpose, lossless, compression tool that can be added to virtually any computer regardless of hardware components or operating system.

The libcrypto++ Library

This library works with C++ programs. It’s a cryptographic tool that provides a secure layer to aMule file transfers.

Highly Recommended, but Not Strictly Required

While you don’t have to have these items to run aMule on your computer, they may make life a little easier and provide a smoother file-sharing experience. Recommended components include:

• GetText – highly recommended if you need to use a aMule translation (aMule is one of the few P2P file-sharing programs available in a wide array of languages.)
• Libpng – necessary to generate the progress bar image if you will be using aMuleweb
• Libgd – necessary for cas to generate images
• Flex – sometimes required to generate specific file types
• Perl/XChat – necessary for some aMule tools

By confirming that you computer contains these critical components as well as the recommended items, you’ll be closer than ever to sharing files on the eDonkey network using the useful aMule open-source tool. What do you need to download before you install aMule?

No Fees, Ever

Can you believe it? Some programs actually charge their users for not only the software, but to use it. With a true open-source project, users are never charged a thing. This doesn’t mean you’re offered a free trial – or even a scaled-down version that’s a total PITA to use. It means no charges, ever – not for your copy of the code, not to use the code, and not to connect to the network. Of course, most of you will have to pay for your Internet connection, but there’s nothing the open-source community can do about that one.

You Can Change It

That’s right – it’s no typo. If you want to, you can get a copy of the actual code used to create aMule and change it in any way you want. Need a new feature? No problem – just add it yourself. Of course, you might have to learn how to code, but what do you want for nothing? Love aMule so much you’d like to bundle it with your own software package? Again, that’s OK. Wait a minute? You want to sell that package? It’s still perfectly acceptable.

Get Them to Change it for You

If you’re not a programmer and have absolutely no desire to become one, don’t worry. Simply contact the aMule development team and let them know what you’d like to see in future releases. If they agree or enough other users think it’s a good idea, you might see it in an aMule release coming soon to a computer near you. How’s that for giving it to Microsoft?

Become a Part of the aMule Community

With open-source projects, including aMule, there’s an active international community you can join. Not only can you become a part of the community, you might even get a chance to help test the next patch or release. Because aMule is maintained and enhanced by a team of volunteers, a helping hand is always welcomed. If you’re looking to meet friends around the world or get a taste of a development project, this is a great opportunity. Of course, if you’d simply like to download aMule and use it in complete seclusion, you can. There’s never any obligation or requirements to use aMule – other than sharing your improvements if you make any changes.

As you can see, using an open-source program like aMule is very different from those corporate products that often disguise themselves as freeware. What’s your favorite part of the open-source revolution?

What’s a Magnet Link?

A magnet link is simply a file that contains parameters used to help find downloadable material for use by aMule and other P2P clients. This kind of link identifies the downloadable file by content instead of name or location. More specifically, it’s identified by its unique hash value.

Here’s another way to look at it. A magnet link finds files by their metadata instead of using a typical link or URL. In this way, it is often thought of as a “Resource Name” – a concept that’s similar to URL or “Uniform Resource Locator.” Magnet links aren’t limited to P2P technology, but they’re a powerful tool in this arena because content can be located even if specific hosts aren’t always available.

aMule Considerations

Using magnet links in aMule requires users to keep these considerations in mind:

• aMule won’t intercept magnet links within your browser. Copy and paste them into the text box in the GUI.
• Any magnet links used with aMule must include the following parameters in exact order: hash value, size of the file, and name.

What’s a Hash?

A hash is a unique representation for a piece of content. Although the hash value is created based on a complex cryptographic algorithm, anyone who has a copy of the original material can create one. This makes them extremely popular because anyone can create and share a magnet link, and anyone who uses one knows their new magnet link is virtually guaranteed to work.

The hash format gives magnet links two additional benefits:

1. Their open, platform-independent nature makes it possible to obtain a specific file from just about any system.
2. The plain-text format makes pasting hash values in instant messages quick and easy.

What’s a Magnet Link Look Like?

A magnet link is a string of parameters. Each one has an identifier making the order unimportant for most link-magnet capable programs. Remember, the order IS important with aMule. Here are the parameters:

• xt – URN or hash value
• xl – file size
• dn – name of the file
• as – link for the website
• kt – search keywords
• xs – link for the P2P source
• tr – URL for BitTorrents
• mt – metafile link

Here’s a sample format:

“magnet:? xt=urn:e2Dk:[E2Dk hash value (hex)] &  xl = [file size] &  dn  = [file name]”

Once you get the hang of sharing files using the magnet-link method, you’ll never have to wonder why you can’t find a file everyone else seems to have found with ease. Simply get their hash information, and you’ll have the file in no time. Will you try magnet links with your copy of aMule?

An April 2011 Release Date

This new version of aMule was just released on April 1, 2011. As with many open source projects, the documentation about the new release is fairly light at this early April date. Expect to hear more about exactly what’s different as the month moves forward, and more users decide to move to the latest and greatest release. If you’re not fond of working through the system changes necessary to get a brand new product working, you might want to stick with your current, and more stable, version of aMule. After all, it’ll still get the job done. One change that’s already been reported is that you need to upgrade your wxWidgets to 2.8.12 – this is the minimum version that works with aMule 2.3.1 RC1.

Need aMule in a Non-English Version?

As you may or may not know, the thoughtful aMule developers and community have translated both the product and the manual into many popular and not-so-popular international languages including some you might expect like French and Spanish. However, if you’re more comfortable in Basque, Galician, or Slovenian, they’ve got you covered.

The translators are busily working on making sure that this new version of aMule is ready to go in every currently-available language, but they still have a little bit of work to do. If you language is on the waiting list, expect it to be good-to-go in short order.

Are you worried because your language isn’t represented? Why not volunteer to create a translated version for your countrymen? The beauty of the open-source community is that everyone is welcome to contribute. No one is saying it won’t be a time-intensive task, but the aMule project provides translation tools, and a community that’s always willing to lend a helping hand, if you decide to give it a try. Just think – you’ll be a P2P hero in no time!

New to aMule? A Little Friendly Advice

If you’re just getting started with aMule, stick with an older, stable release. Right now, the old pros are working through the bugs and platform nuances with aMule 2.3.1 RC1 so they’ll be able to offer all the right advice to frustrated n00bs.  Of course, if you like to live dangerously, go right ahead!

All versions of aMule are completely free to use in any way you choose as long as you abide by the open-source philosophy of sharing any changes when you’re done. Of course, most people are completely satisfied with simply using this feature-packed, peer-to-peer, file-sharing utility as is.

aMuleWeb

To control your aMule install remotely from a web browser on another machine, use the aMuleWeb product. With this solution, you can access your P2P file sharing server from any location through an Internet connection to check the status, update preferences, search for files, initialize downloads, or inspect the queue. Because aMule doesn’t have HTTP functionality, the aMuleWeb application sits between the browser and the P2P program to establish the connection.

aMuleCMD

The aMuleCMD interface allows the user to control aMuled through the command line. While there’s a definite learning curve without a GUI to point the way, most users find that typing in the actual commands is faster and easier once they get the hang of it. Expect to keep a cheat sheet on hand until you begin to remember the syntax.

If you lose your cheat sheet or get stuck, simply type “help” plus the command at the prompt to display the full instructions for that specific option. As a bonus, you can automate the file-sharing process by creating shell scripts or other command-level programs.

Although you won’t be able to use every feature of the full-blown aMule application with aMuleCMD, it does include the most important ones including search, initialization, and viewing the queue. This tool also allows users to check the file transfer status information and change some user preferences.

aMuleGUI

This utility is the latest remote-control solution for aMuled. aMuleGUI is still a work in progress, but it closely resembles the original aMule interface. Don’t expect aMuleGUI to be as fast as aMuleCMD, especially with a slow connection.

When using aMuleGUI, the following items are important for this program to function correctly:

• “External Connections” must be enabled to connect to the aMule product.
• A password must be set to etablish connections.
• To restrict access to the local machine, use the loopback interface address (127.0.0.1) as the interface address.

By choosing a remote control tool that fits your needs, you’ll be able to take full advantage of the strengths of aMule. This flexible product allows users to transform under-utilized machines into P2P servers and control their file transfers remotely from anywhere in the world.

What Will aMuleInfos Show?

This little widget shows the information most users want to see on a regular basis when using the aMule P2P application. The following information is included on the small display panel along with a cute little mule icon:

• Current Network Server Connections
• Low-ID Status
• Upload Speed
• Download Speed
• aMule Version
• Refresh Rate
• Broken Links
• aMuleInfos Path
• AMuleInfos Version

Why Do I Need a Widget?

Well, strictly speaking, you don’t. You can find all of this information right within the aMule GUI interface. However, the widget provides one tiny little screen with everything you typically need to know consolidated in one place. Some users prefer to run aMule in the background on their local machine or access it from a remote location. In either case, the aMuleInfos widget simply makes it easier to find certain information without opening the GUI or entering commands manually.

Can I Use the Widget on Any Computer?

Although aMule works on just about any machine no matter which operating system is in use, the aMuleInfos Widget is only for use on Mac computers. However, if you’re feeling creative, you can always create a similar program for use with your version of aMule. If you do, don’t forget to share it with the open source community. Not only will you earn the gratitude of other users, you’ll gain a reputation as a generous contributor to the aMule community specifically and the open source movement in general.

Is the Widget an Official aMule Product?

The answer to that question is yes and no. Although it wasn’t originally a part of the aMule effort, a thoughtful user created it to satisfy his own needs and made it available to the rest of the community, something that happens fairly often with the open source crowd. However, some aMule bundles have chosen to include the widget with their version of aMule. Whether you install it individually or as part of a bundled package, this useful little tool may make your P2P file-sharing efforts just a little bit easier.

The aMule P2P program is a completely free program available for use by anyone thanks to the open source community. The code is also available for anyone to use or modify as long as they agree to share their improvements with the world. Download a copy today!

Lower Your Upload Limits

Go to “Preferences -> Connection-> Bandwidth Limits -> Upload,” and check the upload value. If this parameter is set too high, up to 75% of your bandwidth could be dedicated to uploading files to other computers.

Check Your Source Settings

Look under “Preferences -> Connection -> Max Sources per File -> Hard Limit” to find this value.  The “Hard Limit” setting specifies the number of sources to use for each downloaded file. Because each source takes up a connection, high numbers under this user preference can slow down both your downloads and your computer.

Take a Look at the Max Connections Setting

Under “Preferences -> Connection -> Connection Limits -> Max Connections,” aMule allows users to set a high limit on the number of connections that can be open at any given time. If aMule is consuming too much bandwidth, lowering this value may help.

Slowing Down aMule could Solve the Problem

Within aMule, the “Preferences -> Core Tweaks -> Max new connections / 5 secs” value tells the system how many new connections can be opened within a five-second interval. While many configurations can handle a rapid connection rate without any issues, some routers don’t work well in this situation. Not only can this setting slow your system, it could even cause it to lock up.

Cut Back on System Logging

Like most applications, aMule has a logging feature that can be used to troubleshoot system problems. While this is an invaluable tool when needed, it’s a drain on most computers. If you’re not having an aMule malfunction, go to “Preferences -> Core tweaks -> Verbose log” to turn logging off.

Normal Slowdowns

After each download, it’s perfectly normal for your computer to slow down just a bit as aMule verifies each inbound file to protect your system from corrupted data.  Although each file is checked prior to download, aMule always takes a second look as a final safeguard just in case anything happened while the file was being transferred.

By adjusting these settings, most speed issues can be resolved. However, a reinstall might be necessary as a last resort. In rare cases, a small piece of the aMule install file can become corrupted during the download. When this happens, the install may look good and aMule may even appear to function correctly, but your computer can be negatively impacted. If this is the case with your computer, a new download along with a fresh install may fix everything.

Locating the Configuration Files

Configuration files are used with most programs to store user preferences. During a conversion, the files or the values within the files are copied to the new program. With an eMule install, the configuration files are stored in the “config” directory. Because aMule works on a variety of platforms, finding the files is a little more complicated, but not too hard. Look in the following places based on your OS:

• Linux – ~/.aMule
• Mac – ~/Library/Application Support/aMule
• Windows – C:Documents and Settings<username>Application DataaMule

Automatic Import Failures

The majority of the files from the configuration directory are imported automatically and, usually, without issue. However, a few of these items are a little tricky. Let’s take a closer look at the ones you’ll need to manage manually:

• Preferences.ini – This eMule standard changes to amule.conf when you make the switch to the aMule application.
• Category.ini – This file holds the tab values used to properly display the download list. Without this file, your results will be hard to read. aMule writes this information to the amule.conf file along with other information.
• Shareddir.dat – Unless you’re running aMule on a Windows machine, eMule’s version of this file won’t be compatable with your new aMule install. This is because the path names on Mac and Linux machines are very different from Windows. In most cases, aMule automatically creates this file after you set the directory paths in “Preferences.”
• Ignore files in eMule’s configuration directory called AC_BootstrapIPs.dat, AC_IPFilterUpdateURLs.dat, AC_SearchStrings.dat, AC_ServerMetURLs.dat, fileinfo.ini, k_index.dat, preferencesK.dat, s_index.dat, statistics.ini and webservices.dat. These are from old, outdated versions of eMule and are no longer needed by either program.

While converting existing settings and files from eMule to aMule is convenient for older, power users, most newbies should just stick with a fresh install. However, it’s always nice to know where these important files are located just in case you eventually have a problem with your copy of aMule.

One: Check the File Size

As soon as you conduct an aMule search, you’ll notice a big wave of data. When it comes to malware prevention, however, the second column — the one indicating file size — is your best resource. Ask yourself first what size your file should be? Remember, an audio file will range from .5 to two megabytes per minute of data, while a video file will range from four to 10 megabytes per minute. If your file is either too large or too small, it may indicate a virus.

Two: Make Sure Your Antivirus Program Is Up to Date

Before you even begin your search process, make sure you’ve updated all your antivirus, antispyware, and antimalware programs. If you need to renew a subscription, do so! If you can’t afford a new subscription, consider a free antivirus option like Avast or Invisus.

Three: Scan the Top Level

Some virus software is so insidious and, admittedly, well designed that it can plant hidden files in the sector where it’s downloaded. The best resolution here is to scan not just the file itself, but the entire folder that contains it. This will also ensure that any previous files that were downloaded hastily are run through the appropriate procedure.

Four: Be Wary of Compressed Files

File sharing allows you to download one file at a time which, while excellent in many cases, isn’t ideal for those wanting batches of files. The solution on these p2p networks is to compress multiple files in a zip or rar folder. There are at least two reasons you shouldn’t do this. 1) Compression diminishes file quality, and 2) It prevents you from seeing clearly malicious files until they’ve already been downloaded to your computer.

Five: Don’t Download Illegal Programs

It’s understood that sometimes file sharing networks will be used for less than legitimate appropriation of digital goods. However, this understanding also works as a cover for malware creators. They know that you won’t go to great lengths to report someone for a virus you got while installing something illegal; why would you incriminate yourself? CD cracks, key generators, and similar programs are the greatest hotbed of malware, and should be avoided.

Six: Use Common Sense

Think a file looks malicious? Something is off with the extension? The well-branded program has an unfamiliar icon? Avoid it. Using common sense and trusting your gut will help avoid many malware pitfalls.

The simplest way to start is by getting the aMule skin you would like. aMule skins created by users are available all over the Web, and you can even create your own just by collecting appropriately sized files in a zip folder. While there is no single “aMule skin hub,” there are several sites that provide a variety of alternatives. One of these is the aMule forums, which provide “attachment download” options to make the remainder of the process easier. Alternatively, you can conduct a simple web search.

In either case, the skin itself will come in the form of a .zip file filled with images. You will need to put this zip file in a location where aMule can recognize it. This location will vary dependent on which system you’re using.

• Windows Vista and 7 users can find the appropriate skin location in the “C:Program Files (x86)aMuleskins” directory.
• Users of older versions of Windows will use the “C:Documents and SettingsusernameApplication DataaMuleskins” directory.
• Linux users will find skins at “~/.aMule/skins/”
• Mac users will go to “~/Library/Application Support/aMule/skins”

Once you’ve reached the appropriate location, simply move your skin’s zip file into the folder.

Next, you will need to enable skins in aMule. Here’s how:

1. Load aMule as normal.
2. Select “Preferences” from the menu at the top.
3. Go to the “Interface” tab, the seventh on your list.
4. Check the box next to “Enable skin support.” Doing so will also enable the “skin selection drop-down.”
5. Click on the skin selection drop-down and choose the skin of your choice. If the skin you intended for use isn’t in this list, try resetting aMule and verifying that the zip file is in the appropriate directory.
6. Click “OK” and the new skin will be implemented.

While it doesn’t change any of the functionality of the aMule software, there’s nothing wrong with going easier on your eyes when using any program. Additionally, the lightweight nature of aMule isn’t at all bogged down by this feature, so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy toying with the general look and feel.