One search box, several networks

The Search tab takes the same search expressions as classic eMule, and sends them to whichever network you pick under Method: an eD2K server, every server in your list, the Kad network, your Usenet indexers, or a server’s catalogue of Usenet releases, torrents and web links. Each search opens its own result tab, and the tabs come back after a restart.

Choosing a network

Automatic only ever chooses between the server and Kad, which cost nothing to ask. An indexer search uses up a quota you pay for and hands your words to a third party, so it is always your explicit choice.

Searching servers

Ed2k Server asks the server you are connected to, over its TCP connection. When it has more results than fit in one answer, the More button, or scrolling to the end of the list, asks for the next batch.

Ed2k Global asks your own server first. Once it has answered, or after 50 seconds, the other servers in your server list are asked over UDP, one every 0.75 seconds. That is the pace classic eMule keeps, so a large server list never floods anyone. Starting a new eD2K search stops the old sweep. A Kad or Usenet search does not.

Searching Kad

Kad has no server that holds an index. Each word is stored on the nodes closest to its hash, so a Kad search looks up one word (the keyword) and the nodes that hold it filter by the rest of your expression before they answer.

• The keyword is the first word every result must contain, and it needs at least 3 characters. In @size>100 matrix -1080p the keyword is matrix. A word you exclude, a word inside an OR, and an attribute are never the keyword.
• So at least one plain word must stand outside an OR. matrix OR reloaded is refused on Kad; matrix (reloaded OR revolutions) works.
• If that keyword is already being searched, the next eligible word is used.

Results from other networks

Some eD2K servers answer a normal search with results they found elsewhere too: Usenet releases, torrents, Kad files and web links. Four check boxes under the search box, Usenet results, Kad results, Torrent results and Web results, show or hide those rows without searching again. A Usenet result downloads through the Usenet engine. A torrent result gives you its .torrent file or its magnet link. A web result lists the links it holds.

Search expressions

Everything below works for server and Kad searches, exactly as in classic eMule.

Words and operators

• AND, OR and NOT must be written in capitals. A lower-case or is an ordinary word.
• A - excludes only at the start of a word: spider-man is one word.
• - and NOT need a word in front of them. matrix -1080p works, -1080p matrix is an error.
• Exclude several words with matrix -1080p -720p -cam, or a phrase with matrix -"director cut".
• NOT binds tightest, then OR, then AND. a b OR c means a AND (b OR c), and a OR b -c means a OR (b NOT c). Add parentheses when in doubt.
• A search can have at most 10 operators, counting the spaces between words. More gives “Expression too complex”.

Attributes

Attributes filter on what the network knows about a file. Their names can be cut to three letters: @siz, @ava.

For example:

matrix -1080p @size>700 @type=video
"pink floyd" @type=audio @bitrate>=256
linux iso @size>=4G @sources>10

Attributes combine like any other term, so they can be excluded too: matrix -@ext=avi. Not every server supports every attribute, and one that does not may ignore it.

An ed2k://|file|…|/ link pasted on its own searches for exactly that file.

When something is wrong

A mistake is reported before anything is sent, with the same messages as classic eMule, in your language: “Missing right side for NOT operator”, “Missing closing ‘)’”, “Unterminated string”, “Unknown search attribute ‘@foo’”, “Syntax error in ‘@size’ search attribute”, and on Kad “Keyword too short”.

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