Darknet = IM
p2pnet.net News:- A Reader’s Write from our good friend Andy Nonymous-Coward under Janko Roettgers’ The future of p2p file sharing offers an interesting thought.
In case you didn’t see it …
"Nice article," says Andy, going on:
"Unbeknownst to most users, however, a very capable darknet is already at their fingertips: AIM.
"Naturally, you trust everyone on your buddy list, otherwise they wouldn’t be there. Here’s how you do it: Open AIM -> Preferences -> File Sharing.
"After selecting your shared folder, check the box to allow ONLY users on your Buddy list to download. Click Apply and OK and you’re done.
"I share all my music with my friends this way, and so do more than a few of my buddies. The whole thing is fast and secure: only your friends can pull files from you. Also, if you go over to a buddy’s house and want music, just pull the files from your PC via AIM using his screenname. The only caveat is that AIM can be a bit fussy sometimes. Just ensure that everyone you share with is using the latest version thereof, and you’ll be fine.
"Firewalls (router and software) can wreak havoc with older versions but mean nothing to the latest builds.
"There, I’ve told you. Now share on and have fun!!!"
; )
May 17th, 2004 at 4:16 pm
bullshit
i don’t consider this ‘darknet’ becuse its a centralized system reliant on AOL servers
not to mention i would consider it adware
May 17th, 2004 at 7:40 pm
I am the original poster of the “Darknet = IM” story, although since I’m anonymous, I don’t know how in the world I could possibly prove that, so you’ll have to take my word for it.
You’re technically right: AIM is NOT a true blue darknet. I used the wrong terminology. However, with the buddy list factored in, it can perform LIKE one. Indeed, it can perform even better than one with respect to trust, because you most likely physically know and like the persons on your Buddy List. Perhaps a better description would be Sneakernet on Steroids. True, there are no searching features, and the file browsing window shows only the type, size and name of the file. Still, it’s a neat way to share files exclusively among those you know and trust. In addition, if you are pro music-getter like myself, there will be no fake files in your collection, and they’ll be well named and organized. AOL itself (as far as I know) doesn’t maintain a centralized file listing, and the privacy backlash of doing so or looking into the shared folders of their users probably deters them from that. The lack of centralized file listing is proven by the fact that the sharing PC is forced to send the local file list for each browsing request. Besides, with the “Allow only users on Buddy List” option checked (see previous Darknet = IM post) your buddy list essentially becomes a private network.
Here’s another detail: the only time AOL servers act as proxies for the transfers is when all other methods of directly connecting fail. If you doubt me, open AIM -> Preferences -> File Sharing -> Firewall and observe that AOL proxy servers are only brought into play when nothing else works. I doubt AOL would like its IM servers bogged down with file traffic, which is why they developed features such as Direct Connect (for AIM, not the P2P client). Therefore I doubt AOL really has any idea – or cares, for that matter – what’s being traded via AIM (but not necessarily over the AIM network itself). After all, the addition of more powerful features to the client only serves to further popularize AIM itself. Besides, Time Warner (AOL’s healthier other half) sold its Warner Music division last year and so has reduced (but not necessarily zero) incentive to check up on file sharing anyway.
As for the adware charge, that can be fixed by downloading DeadAIM from http://www.jdennis.net. Kills all ads and adds a whole lot of nifty features which I will not delve into because that’s not the point of this post.
By the way, I don’t think I had posted exactly how to pull files from one of your buddies. First of all, ensure th e buddy has File Sharing enabled. This can be done by holding the mouse pointer stationary over an online buddy’s name, and looking at the “Capabilites” hearing in the balloon that pops up. If your buddy has File Sharing available, right-click on his name and select “Get File”. A browsing window should pop up. Note that for this to work, your buddy must also enable file sharing with users on his buddy list (as in the Darknet = IM post) and of course, you must also be on his buddy list.
In summary: Yes sir, you are correct, AIM is no darknet, and I’m not infallible. I am an ardent supporter of P2P and fair use, and was only trying to help persons share the joy and love of media. Despite the lack of advanced file sharing features, AIM is very powerful both due its popularity as an existing trusted social net, vast installed base, and general ease of use. Perhaps we should term it Sneakernet 2.0 or something. The adware part can be fixed by downloading DeadAIM which seamlessly integrates with the client and kills all ads. I suggest you try it sometime with your friends and see for yourself. Few online experiences beat the social experience of swapping files with a known friend (especially a female one
) and talking about the music you’re curently listening to or have discovered recently.
Once again, try it out and have fun!!!