The client is still available for download from multiple sites and, since it doesn't require a central server for anything, neither AOL nor the RIAA can stop it now. However, there is a company that is using edge resources to solve computationally difficult problems of a very general nature, like graphics rendering and genome mapping. Presumably, they will also have underutilized edge computers. That's because the end product of the distributed computation is not likely to be interesting or even accessible to the people whose edge machines helped produce it. Of course, there are problems, like web searching, that are amenable to this kind of distributed solution and whose results would be very useful to the resource donors themselves.
Problem is, distributed applications are notoriously hard to design and code properly.
What's needed is a standard framework, a platform for creating P2P tools and toolsets, that provides services for account maintenance and authentication, security and encryption, data synchronization, persistent storage, and peer communication. The company and its self-titled first product are called Groove. Founded by Ray Ozzie, of Lotus Notes fame, the company has been operating in stealth mode for several years and has produced what appears to be a well thought-out, reasonably complete platform, with a documented software development kit, and a number of usable example tools. The initial toolset includes presence and instant messaging, chat, shared whiteboard, co-browser, and file sharing, all done without the aid of a central server. Inc. All rights reserved.