In the ancient times of the internet, when connection speed was still questionable and streaming platforms did not exist, a series of applications and computer programs were used to facilitate the discovery and sharing of interesting content.
Many of these programs were forgotten over time, becoming obsolete and, for the most part, simply taken off the air. Some, however, remain available today, even if modified by the need for updating and the availability of new technologies. Here we will mention 10 old PC programs used in adolescence that are still valid today.
Read too:
10 old PC programs that exist
1. Winamp
Winamp is a media player for computers, which became very popular in the 1990s and 2000s. It was launched in 1997 and gained prominence for its customizable interface, support for skins (visual themes), audio equalizer, playlists and the ability to play a variety of audio formats such as MP3, WAV and AAC. Winamp was also one of the first media players to offer audio streaming capabilities over the internet.
The media player was relaunched in 2023 by the more updated Llama Group, rivaling other music streaming services currently available with, in addition to music, podcasts, radio and local file playback, being able to connect with other music platforms.
2. eMule
eMule is an old peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing PC program designed for Windows. It allows users to share and download files through the eDonkey2000 network and the Kad network, which are decentralized P2P networks.
eMule was quite popular in the early 2000s, mainly for sharing music, videos and other types of files. It is known for its simple interface and for being one of the first widely used P2P file sharing options. Today the program has achieved performance and security improvements, and is still used by many.
3. VLC
VLC is a popular open-source media player known for its ability to play almost every audio and video format out there, even those that are not commonly supported by other players.
It is available for free on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. In addition to playing local files, VLC also supports audio and video streaming over the internet and has a series of advanced features such as audio equalizer, subtitle support and format transcoding.
4. Napster
Napster was one of the first popular music-oriented peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing services. It was launched in 1999 by Shawn Fanning and Sean Parker and allowed users to freely share digital music files with each other. Napster quickly became extremely popular due to its ease of use and the vast amount of music available.
However, it faced a series of lawsuits from record labels and artists for copyright infringement, which led to its closure in 2001. The “Napster” name was later acquired by other companies and is currently used in a music streaming service by subscription, rivaling other platforms such as Deezer and Spotify. The subscription price is currently R$17.99.
5. iTunes
iTunes was an application developed by Apple that was initially released in 2001 as a digital media player. It allowed users to organize and play music and videos, as well as offering the ability to purchase music, movies, TV shows, and podcasts through the iTunes Store. iTunes was also used to sync content with Apple devices such as iPhones, iPads, and iPods.
In 2019, Apple discontinued iTunes in macOS Catalina, splitting its functionality into three separate apps: Apple Music for music, Apple TV for movies and TV shows, and Apple Podcasts for podcasts. On iOS devices, iTunes has been replaced by Finder in macOS to manage and sync content to your computer.
6. uTorrent
uTorrent is a software application used to download files via the BitTorrent protocol. It is one of the most popular BitTorrent clients due to its small size, low system resource usage, and simple user interface.
uTorrent allows users to download large files quickly and efficiently by dividing files into small chunks and downloading them from multiple sources at the same time. However, it is important to note that uTorrent, like other BitTorrent clients, is often associated with downloading copyrighted content, which may be illegal in many countries.
7. Skype
Skype is a communication application that allows you to make voice and video calls over the internet, send text messages and share files. It was launched in 2003 and was one of the first services to offer high-quality voice over internet (VoIP) calls for free between Skype users.
Skype also offers the option to make calls to landlines and cell phones through a paid service called SkypeOut, as well as having video conferencing and group instant messaging capabilities. Skype was acquired by Microsoft in 2011 and remains one of the most popular communication apps in the world.
8. FrostWire
FrostWire is a peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing application that allows users to share media files such as music, videos, programs, and images directly with each other. It is based on the source code of LimeWire, another popular P2P program, and is known for its simple and easy-to-use user interface.
FrostWire supports the BitTorrent network, which means users can download files not only from other FrostWire users but also from other BitTorrent sources. However, like other P2P programs, use of FrostWire may violate copyright if users share or download copyrighted content without permission.
9. WinRAR
WinRAR is an old file compression PC program and archive utility for Windows. It allows you to compress files to save disk space and to make them easier to send by email or transfer over the internet. Furthermore, WinRAR can be used to decompress files in various compression formats, such as RAR, ZIP, 7-Zip, TAR, among others.
WinRAR is known for its simple user interface and its ability to compress files at high compression rates. Although it is a paid program, a trial version is available for free. Currently, the price per WinRAR license is R$166.
10. Soulseek
Soulseek is a peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing application primarily focused on music. It was launched in 2001 and is known for its dedicated community of users who primarily share rare, alternative, and independent music.
Soulseek allows users to share audio files directly, similar to other P2P programs such as eMule and BitTorrent, but with a more specific focus on music. Soulseek also offers chat features and forums so users can interact and discover new music.
