CXC has released a new version of Mactella, its Macintosh Gnutella client application. The new version, Mactella 1.0, is now being distributed from CXC’s FTP server. The company has been releasing public beta test versions for months, but this marks the first “finished” version’s publication.
Gnutella is an open-source network that enables users to exchange files with each other. The Gnutella network is decentralized, meaning that it doesn’t require the use of any master servers in order to make connections for Gnutella clients — users manage their connections between each other. This makes Gnutella sometimes a bit unreliable since servers may go up and down on the user’s whim, but it’s garnered a tremendous amount of support on Windows, Linux and Mac platforms, because of its open architecture.
Changes in Mactella 1.0 include:
The software’s developers also advise Mac OS X Public Beta users that “a significant amount of work” has been done on a Carbonized version of Mactella. The software, which is still in development, functions under Mac OS 9 with the CarbonLib system extension, but “is still too unstable” in Mac OS X. Users who wish to try the Carbon version are encouraged to e-mail sbryan@cxc.com to request it.
Because the Gnutella network can be sometimes hard to connect to and navigate, it’s important to read the documentation included with Mactella before you use it — please make sure to read the included tutorial and release notes prior to using Mactella.
Mactella 1.0 requires a PowerPC-based Mac; Mac OS 8.5 or later; and an Internet connection.
More info || Download Mactella 1.0 [512K]