DISHA's BLOG

What Are P2P Software Applications?

A good definition of P2P software was proposed by Dave Winer of UserLand Software many years ago when P2P was first becoming mainstream. Dave suggests that P2P software applications include these seven key characteristics:

·                      the user interface runs outsides of a Web browser

·                      computers in the system can act as both clients and servers

·                      the software is easy to use and well-integrated

·                      the application includes tools to support users wanting to create content or add functionality

·                      the application makes connections with other users

·                      the application does something new or exciting

·                      the software supports "cross-network" protocols like SOAP or XML-RPC

In this modern view of peer to peer computing, P2P networks stretch across the entire Internet, not just a home local area network (LAN). Easy-to-use P2P software applications allow both geeks and non-technical people to participate.

Kazaa, Napster and More P2P Software Applications

The original MP3 file sharing system, Napster......

Definition: The term P2P refers to "peer-to-peer" networking. A peer-to-peer network allows computer hardware and software to function without the need for special server devices. P2P is an alternative to client-server network design.

P2P is a popular technology for file sharing software applications like Kazaa, WinMX and Overnet. P2P technology helps the P2P client applications upload and download files over the P2P network services.

P2P technology can also be found in other places. Microsoft Windows XP (starting with Service Pack 1), for example, contains a component called "Windows Peer-to-Peer Networking." P2P is especially popular in homes where an expensive, decidated server computer is neither necessary nor practical.

Finally, the P2P acronym has acquired a non-technical meaning as well. Some people have described this second meaning of "P2P" as "people-to-people." From this perspective, P2P is a model for developing software and growing businesses that help individuals on the Internet meet each other and share common interests. So-called social networking technology is an example of this concept.

Definition: In computer networking, hosting refers to a site or service that maintains resources on behalf of clients. The term most commonly refers to Web sites maintained by Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Besides Web hosting services, however, other types of network hosting for files and data are common including:

·                      FTP and other file sharing Web sites

·                      network backup systems

You can transfer files from PC to PC over a network using any of several different software packages and methods. This process is often called "file sharing" or "file swapping."

1. Shared Folders in Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows operating systems allow you to designate one or more file folders on your hard drive for sharing on the network. With your permission, others can connect to your share and copy files from it.

2. Instant Messaging File Transfer

Instant Messaging software like AIM and MSN Messenger support sending file attachments to your buddies. IM programs often enforce a limit on the size of files that can be transfered. Do not accept files sent by strangers as these may carry destructive computer viruses.

3. FTP Software

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is one of the oldest technologies for transferring files across the Internet. To use FTP, files must first be posted on a server computer. Then, others can obtain a copy of the files using a software application called an FTP client.

4. P2P Software

So-called P2P (Peer 2 Peer) software applications allow files to be sent and received across the Internet. P2P systems like BitTorrent are designed to handle very large files such as music and videos efficiently.

5. Remote Access Software

Remote access software applications are designed to support remote login from one of your computers to another across the Internet. Many of these applications like RealVNC include a file transfer function allowing you to copy files between the two computers as needed.

6. Email

Email applications are designed to transfer messages between two parties. Most modern email systems allow the ability to attach files to a message. These attachments can be emailed from one computer to a central email server, where they can be downloaded unto another computer. Email was designed for smaller amounts of data; many email systems place a limit on the size of individual......

Question: "How do I play .bin, .cue, .dat and .rar movie files?"

OK, so you're a Bittorrent,BITCOMET, WinMX, eXeem or Shareaza file user. After 19 hours of anxious anticipation, you’ve finally downloaded that .rar and .bin/cue or .dat/.cue movie file you’ve been dying to watch. You open your file explorer, locate the download, and double click on the file.

Your movie file doesn’t launch!

So, what steps did you miss? What procedure will let you watch that movie in its .bin, .cue, .dat and .rar file formats?

Answer: The answer is about three steps and five tools:

1.   WinRAR decompression software will expand the .rar “archive” into full usable format on your drive.

2.   “CD/DVD emulator” software will translate the bin, dat, and cue movie files to be a virtual CD-DVD optical drive.

3.    One of three special movie players will be used to view the actual movie itself.

Step 1: Download WinRAR utility .

Explanation: WinRAR is what we call an “archive manager” program. Its job is to package and compress large files for more efficient downloading. WinRAR is capable of squeezing a 1024 megabyte movie into 600 megabytes of smaller linked files. Because of its power and versatility, this tool is extremely popular amongst file sharers.

In your case, you are interested in decompressing (“extracting”) a downloaded file, and converting back into full usable format.

WinRAR is free to try, and is only 1136 kilobytes large. After a month of using it, the RAR programmer asks that you purchase it for $29USD.

Step 2 Task: Download and install "emulator" software that will treat your files as if they were an optical CD-DVD drive.

Explanation: Unlike the .avi and .mpg digital file formats that PC's can easily view, many P2P movie files are in optical .bin or .dat format. Bin and dat are standard format for a DVD or CD player,......

Question: What Is a Bit Torrent Tracker?

Answer: A Bit Torrent tracker centrally coordinates the P2P transfer of files among users. BitTorrent trackers are software server "toolkit" applications that typically run on Web sites. BNBT and CBTT are names of common BitTorrent tracker toolkits.

Tracker software serves up torrent files for download from a Web site. The tracker maintains information about all BitTorrent clients utilizing each torrent. Specifically, the tracker identifies the network location of each client either uploading or downloading the P2P file associated with a torrent. It also tracks which fragment(s) of that file each client possesses, to assist in efficient data sharing between clients.

BitTorrent clients connect to a tracker when attempting to work with torrent files. The tracker notifies the client of the P2P file location (that is normally on a different, remote server). If the BitTorrent tracker fails or is taken offline, clients will be unable to continue sharing those P2P files. A tracker normally utilizes TCP port 6969 for network communications.

There are LOTS of great additions and suggestions for other movies that were ahead of their time in the comments. I know I forgot some, but read the comments below for all of the great suggestions - like Blade Runner and The Wizard of Oz!

Psycho (1960)

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock

This film set the standard for every horror thriller to come after 1960. It defined the genre and has since become an unforgettable horror classic. It shocked people with its chocolate blood and still scares the living daylights out of many today.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Directed by Stanley Kubrick

You can't forget that 2001 was even before Star Wars. After Metropolis......

There are LOTS of great additions and suggestions for other movies that were ahead of their time in the comments. I know I forgot some, but read the comments below for all of the great suggestions - like Blade Runner and The Wizard of Oz!

Psycho (1960)

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock

This film set the standard for every horror thriller to come after 1960. It defined the genre and has since become an unforgettable horror classic. It shocked people with its chocolate blood and still scares the living daylights out of many today.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Directed by Stanley Kubrick

You can't forget that 2001 was even before Star Wars. After Metropolis it was one of the biggest science fiction films up until Star Wars. I still wonder even now how the heck they achieved weightlessness and those incredible set pieces all back in the late 60's.

Jaws (1975)

Directed by Steven Spielberg

A giant mechanical shark and one of the first films to really become a blockbuster in Hollywood history. Although when you think about this nowadays, it's not that amazing, but back in 1975, you'd be so scared that you wouldn't even go swimming. That's the power of a good movie that's so ahead of its time it becomes real to everyone who watches it.

Star Wars (1977)

Directed by George Lucas

No one ever imagined anything like that was capable back in 1977. I'm sure everyone has seen the many making of featurettes showing their use of miniatures and other incredible gimmicks. I mean, this was 1977, and the technical achievements they pulled off are even amazing today. It's frickin' Star Wars!

Tron (1982)

Directed by Steven Lisberger

It's been constantly referred to as the first CGI film that set the standards for all future CGI to come. For 1982 what they were able to do and the funky 80's graphical backgrounds were an incredible visual achievement. If you're a geek by any means this movie is a staple in your collection guaranteed.

WarGames (1983)

Directed......

1. Find an open port,
2. Pass the identification test that will allow it through that port, and if not,
3. Move to the next port and try again, until it is allowed to pass through the toll.