Information
Types of File Sharing
There are several ways users can engage in file transactions via the internet. Messengers such as AOL Instant Messenger, Skype, MSN and others are commonly used to transmit files such as pictures, music and videos to friends, coworkers, and family. Throughout the years, there has also been an increase of resources where users can download files from complete strangers acting as “uploaders.” Chat clients such as IRC and Hotline as well as peer-to-peer clients and Torrents have proliferated the internet making it easier and more efficient to acquire desired files. However, these mediums have not come without controversy. As internet connections become faster and hard drives grow larger, users have and will exchange copyrighted material. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 signed by Bill Clinton criminalized the exchange of digitally copyrighted files. Since then, various organizations such as the RIAA and MPAA have issued fines to users exchanging illegal files on the internet. With the demise of file sharing companies such as Napster, U.S. government has raised awareness to the implications of illegally exchanging copyright files. Regardless of increasing fines and monitoring, there is no shortage of means to exchange such materials. Filesharing.com does not condone these practices and serves merely as a resource to educate users on the vast methods of online file exchange.
File Sharing Clients
Message/Community Based
Peer-to-Peer (P2P)
Gnuetella
FastTrack
Other
Torrents
BitTorrent
Web-based