Technically, BitTorrent IS decentralized distribution.
from wikipedia:
"Average BitTorrent download speed is limited by the combined average upload speed of "peers" (other nodes with partial copies which are also downloading) and "seeds" (complete copies that are only uploading)."
This is probably semantics. -- but as far as a tool for pirates is concerned, -- also from wikipedia :
"BitTorrent does not offer its users anonymity. It is possible to obtain the IP addresses of all current, and possibly previous, participants in a swarm from the tracker. This may expose users with insecure systems to attacks.[9] It may also expose users to the risk of being sued, if they are distributing files without permission from the copyright holder(s)."
So why was Stahl attacking BitTorrent specifically?
This is one of the first shots across the bow in another battle against internet freedom.
Net neutrality is currently being debated, and here they come with a report linking movie piracy with BitTorrent (which only works well if a large number of people already have the file in question -- useless for centralized distribution). Followed up with the claim that "speed bumps" have to be put in place FOR EVERYBODY.
This is equivalent to the claim that terrorists are using the postal service and concealing their communications in an envelope, so we have to ban sealed mail.
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Re: Re: 60 minutes of agitprop
from wikipedia:
"Average BitTorrent download speed is limited by the combined average upload speed of "peers" (other nodes with partial copies which are also downloading) and "seeds" (complete copies that are only uploading)."
This is probably semantics. -- but as far as a tool for pirates is concerned, -- also from wikipedia :
"BitTorrent does not offer its users anonymity. It is possible to obtain the IP addresses of all current, and possibly previous, participants in a swarm from the tracker. This may expose users with insecure systems to attacks.[9] It may also expose users to the risk of being sued, if they are distributing files without permission from the copyright holder(s)."
So why was Stahl attacking BitTorrent specifically?
60 minutes of agitprop
Net neutrality is currently being debated, and here they come with a report linking movie piracy with BitTorrent (which only works well if a large number of people already have the file in question -- useless for centralized distribution). Followed up with the claim that "speed bumps" have to be put in place FOR EVERYBODY.
This is equivalent to the claim that terrorists are using the postal service and concealing their communications in an envelope, so we have to ban sealed mail.
Techdirt has not posted any stories submitted by treetaxi.
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