http://www.emule-project.net/
This is likely the next wave of file sharing. What's wrong with
GNUtella, you ask? Well, unlike Napster, GNUtella clients install with
file sharing turned OFF by default. As a result, the GNUtella network
is primarily composed of people who "leech" -- that is, downloading
without sharing.
There's very good reason why we all leech -- none of us wants to
saturate our net connection (the way Napster did) with other people
downloading files from us.
e-Mule has a good compromise. By default, e-Mule only shares the files
you are CURRENTLY downloading. As such, someone who is downloading a
file that has been indexed from its original source automatically
cobbles together bits from various different OTHER downloaders. If you
do choose to share a file, the viral nature of P2P takes effect rather
quickly and distributes the bandwidth consumption among you as the
primary source and the various other downloaders.
A good compromise that results in the same or better performance as
GNUtella, but an otherwise wider selection of material and fewer true
leeches.
Brilliant stuff, IMHO.
-Ian.
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http://www.ianbell.com/
