An Introduction to P2P File Sharing
November 25, 07 by sharky 895 viewsThe term “Peer-to-peer file sharing” is, in essence, an umbrella term used to describe any protocol or method whereby users can share files with other users. This would include almost every activity on the Internet: ICQ (instant messaging); sending files through MSN or Yahoo!; web hosting services; BitTorrent; Usenet; IRC. Even email could be considered peer-to-peer file sharing.
But for all general purposes, “P2P file sharing” is best used to describe the swapping of music, video and other files over the Internet by means of a broad-based application on a common network with a large base of users. Some examples of this would be Limewire, Shareaza and eMule.
Limewire Pro 4.14 wins this race, but Bearshare 5.2.5 was right behind at #2. It’s too bad that they both connect to the same P2P network; the search results are very similar. And since they run on the largest network - Gnutella - naturally it contains highest number of search results and best speeds. And Shareaza offers perhaps the most comprehensive search results because it incorporates multiple networks, yet Limewire has more users (and thus more search results). But in pursuit of the obscure, other smaller networks offer a diverse ’set’ of search results from an entirely different clientele base.
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