Posted on: Tuesday, March 13, 2001
‘Peer to peer’ allows PC users to hook up, share files directly
By John Yaukey
Gannett News Service
Napster made it famous.
But P2P — peer to peer — computing, or file sharing, is about a lot more than just grabbing tunes off the Web.
It’s a new way to communicate by allowing Internet users to hook up directly and share files — computer to computer — without going through the elaborate network of servers.
Where the traditional Internet operates like a broadcast network with servers shuttling information in one direction to “client’’ computers, P2P is about PCs talking to each other back and forth — as you would in a conversation.
If you’re among the millions of people addicted to instant messaging, you’re already using it.
File sharing lets you create shared private spaces online to exchange information in real time, much like a group of people hiding out in a bedroom at a crowded party.
Picture a virtual family reunion or sales meeting being held in a secure space online where members can chat and exchange files such as baby pictures or sales projections.
“File sharing allows you to do much more intimate things with a computer,’’ said noted Internet author and consultant Clay Shirky.
P2P comes in three major flavors:
“Many to many’’ computing, also referred to as “public information sharing.’’ This is the Napster model in which many people share files, music in the case of Napster, with other people.
Gnutella (http://gnutella.wego.com/) is another example of this model. It essentially is a mini search engine and file-sharing system. When you search the Gnutella network, you’re looking for anyone with information matching your search, say a recipe for rhubarb pie.
Built on the Gnutella technology, Bearshare (www.Bearshare.com) does much of the same as does Limewire (www.Limewire .com). All of these are free; just go to the Web site and follow instructions.
“Few-to-many’’ computing, also called distributed computing. This is mainly a business and scientific application, but millions of home computer users have also found it intriguing.
It entails distributing problems to multiple computers, which do the necessary calculations, then send back the answers. Perhaps the best-known, few-to-many project is SETI@home. SETI stands for the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.
By downloading special software available free over the Internet (www.net.berkeley.edu/setiathome/) participants allow scientists to use their home computers during downtime to analyze data from space.
“Few-to-few’’ peer computing. In this model, groups of people who already have some relationship with each other can interact in private, secure space.
Beverly, Mass.-headquartered Groove Networks makes software called Groove for Individuals that lets you create a virtual living room online.
Far-flung participants can chat, share photos and browse the Web together in real time.
The software is available free — at least for now — at www.groove.net
For more general information on P2P computing, visit http://dss.clip2.com/
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