MP3 File Sharing Peer To Peer

P2P or peer to peer file sharing online has been around for a good ten years or more. Most likely it was started by the scientific community who wanted quicker access to journals and articles. It was definitely popularized by Napster who became so popular that the major music and entertainment companies felt compelled to sue them and force a shut down of Napster.com

File sharing software is a permission based, open hard drive agreement (my words) in which participants allow downloading of media files and software from specific folders on their hard drives. Thus, computer files are copied and shared with anyone in the same 'peer-to-peer' network. Essentially, this means a network of 'equals.'

The software for doing this may be free, as in the case of Napster or Limewire, or purchased for a small fee, as in the case of the Unlimited Download Center.

Another highly trafficked and immensely popular system is called Bit Torrent.  Some companies have a limited, free version and a de luxe software system that you have to purchase. 

Immediately I can see two clear areas in which problems will arise:-

1. Copyright Law - are the shared files protected by recent copyright or are they in the Public Domain? (Free to use.)
2. Viruses and Malware. These days, how can you be sure that the files you are downloading are not infected with viruses, trojans, worms and executable malware?

So there is clearly some risk associated with peer to peer file sharing software systems. You simply don't know who you are obtaining your favorite media files from and what tricks or booby traps are being set for you. People love their mp3 downloads so much! Their favorite films, videos, movies and games seem to be worth taking a huge risk for!

Apple iTunes boss Steve Jobs and his team had a brilliant idea. They signed contracts with the major music industry leaders and can supply you a single music hit for about $1.95  - now that is marketing brilliance. Others like Amazon.com offer similar arrangements that I have not had time to check out.

Social networking is running red hot at present with sites like Facebook and MySpace, Hi Five and YouTube, Digg and Hubpages.com and the whole 'community' thing will continue to blossom into face to face video chat and live conferencing. 

P2P networks of multi media file sharing are quite different from the social networks mentioned above. That's because there is usually no social contact between members of the P2P network. Now I might be incorrect on that point because of the rapid development rate that occurs on The Internet this century. There is certainly room for a 'combination' service where a social network expands itself to include file sharing and video shared experiences - we all know that online, anything is possible!

Thanks for visiting my latest hub page about P2P and mp3 music downloading. You can continue the chat simply by writing your comments below in the comments section. And take a look at all our related sites and resources. You'll find something of interest there...

Geoff Dodd, Perth 6000 Australia