BT: validated by the numbers at last

BT: validated by the numbers at last

Although the idea of the DigitalBicycle is independent of any one technology, it was definitely inspired and influenced by Bram Cohen's BitTorrent, the latest/greatest peer-to-peer protocol. One of the things that makes it so great is that it combines a centralized server, which allows for a well-organized index of published files, with the benefits of a decentralized system, relying on the storage and bandwidth of the users themselves. Another benefit is that users without the entire file (or folder of files) can share the parts that they do have while still downloading more. A centralized computer (the tracker) keeps track of who is connected, what they have, who they should be downloading files from and uploading to, and so on. As long as one computer will the entire file is still connected to the tracker, the file will be continue to be available, and the more complete copies of the file are available, the faster a new download will occur since users can download from multiple sources concurrently.

This might not sound like a big deal but many have described BitTorrent as a "game-changer" and while the term seems slightly hype-y, I'll agree with it. It might not be the protocol of the future, I'm sure many are hard at work right now trying to be the next Bram, but I'm sure that the next big thing will be influenced by it, because it really has changed the ability and scope of file-trading.Of course, BitTorrent users have been saying this for a while now, but finally we have numbers to back us up, as the network traffic for BitTorrent has finally overtaken Kazaa's FastTrack. Or at least that's what they say.

They indicate that this is primarily because people are sharing larger files (movies vs. music) and because more students are on summer vacation and not using Kazaa as much (well, that's /.'s spin.) So what does this mean? Well, it probably means that people using BitTorrent to download pirated media materials are probably getting less safe over time, but BitTorrent was never designed to be used anonymously. Any one connected to the tracker can see the IP address's of everyone they are connected to and the only thing making people feel secure in the past has been obsucrity (that and plug-ins that block known "narc" IP's from connecting to your machine.) What it also means is that more and more people will be hearing about BitTorrent, downloading a client, and figuring out the someone steep learning curve of their first download. It also means that more network administrators, due to heavy traffic on their network or even just secondhand fear, will be blocking BitTorrent ports completely. I'm already aware of three people, interested in testing out the Commonwealth Broadband Collaborative's Community Media Tracker, but unable to do so at work because of this. One of the biggest challenges we will be facing might be dealing with this, techinically simple (port forwarding for individual machines?), but socially complex (negoiating with the person who controls the passwords can be less fun than dental surgery.)

So if the rising popularity of BitTorrent is going to create challenges for certain centers, why use it?

A. Nothing significantly better has come out yet.

B. An increase in BitTorrent users means an increase in possible volunteers, community members, high-school students who will set-up and maintain a system at a center as their internship.

C. An increase in BitTorrent users means better clients (programs used to upload and download), better integration with RSS, better integration with browsers, and better integration with the OS.

D. BitTorrent is going to get as controversial, if not moreso than Kazaa, but BitTorrent is being used for legitamate purposes (linux distributions, game demos, and... uh, other free software) and the same examples are being trotted out in every article and argument, but if we can get a community populated that shares community media content, licensed under the Creative Commons, we have a strong chance of being listed as one of the early legitamate uses.

E. Only BitTorrent gives me an excuse to type the name Bram Cohen. Bram Cohen, Bram Cohen, Bram Cohen. It just feels good to write.