KaZaA

Although based in Europe, KaZaA is a popular peer-to-peer sharing software that is attracting new users around the world. Owned by an Amsterdam-based firm called FastTrack, KaZaA--we have no idea what it means either--has an interface similar to that of Microsoft Outlook. Like Napster, FastTrack eventually plans to move to a subscription-based service. Until then, downloads are free, although quality is limited to 128 Kbps, just slightly under CD quality. All types of media files can be downloaded (.jpeg, .mpeg, .wav, etc.), and the auto-connect to the fastest downloads is a big plus.