What is "soulseek"

Soulseek is a peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing network and application. The term Soulseek might refer to (1) one of the two networks, or (2) one of the three official user client interfaces. Soulseek is used mostly to exchange music, although users are able to share a variety of files. Soulseek was created by Nir Arbel, a former Napster programmer.

Two independent networks make up Soulseek since 2006, both run by the same management. The older and now the less used one is accessed by SoulSeek client 156; the newer network and one with greatest usage is accessed by SoulSeek client 157 (Windows only) or SoulSeekQT ( Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, or Linux platforms). There are reportedly five times more users on the network accessed by clients 157/QT than 156 as of August 2011.

New developments are solely on the SoulSeekQT client interface. Work on Client 157 (Windows only) stopped in 2008. SoulSeekQT has somewhat different functionality compared to the 157 client interface.