File Sharing (Linktionary term)

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File Sharing

Note: Many topics at this site are reduced versions of the text in "The Encyclopedia of Networking and Telecommunications." Search results will not be as extensive as a search of the book's CD-ROM.

File sharing has several meanings. When you put a file on a disk and give the disk to a friend, you are "file sharing." When you transfer a file via electronic mail, you are "file sharing." This topic is about "peer-to-peer file sharing," which refers to the ability of users to make files on their computers accessible to other users. It discusses Web-based file storage and community- based peer-to-peer information exchange over the Web. A related topic called "File Transfer Protocols" discusses the protocols used to transfer files.

This topic continues in "The Encyclopedia of Networking and Telecommunications" with a discussion of the following:

Enterprise File sharing

File and folder sharing in operating environments such as Microsoft Windows

File sharing security

File sharing problems with "always-on" Internet connections.

Internet file-sharing services

FTP (file transfer protocol)

click2send, a basic "deposit a file" and "pick up a file" service

"Virtual collaboration workspace" services

Internet distributed file sharing

The "community-based" file sharing approach

Peer-to-peer file sharing services

Napster and similar services

Following is a partial list of Internet file-sharing services, some of which offer 50MB or more of free disk space. For additional information about online storage sites, visit Brian A. Berg's Storage Cornucopia Web site at http://www.bswd.com/cornucop.htm.

Middlewire	http://www.middlewire.com/
DiskOnNet.com	http://www.diskonnet.com/
Critical Path Secure file services	http://www.docspace.com/
Driveway	http://www.driveway.com/
Filegenie.com	http://www.filegenie.com/
FreeDrive	http://www.freedrive.com/
i-drive	http://www.idrive.com/
Punch WebGroups File Collaboration Service	http://www.punchnetworks.com/
Skydesk (a Qualcomm-funded site)	http://www.skydesk.com/
vVault (caters to PDAs, WAP phones, and other wireless devices)	http://www.vvault.com/
X:drive (100MB free)	http://www.xdrive.com/

Below is a list of Internet file-sharing services and products. All can be used to share audio and video media in a community-based exchange arrangement.

Napster	http://www.napster.com/
Gnutella Web page	http://gnutella.wego.com/
Flycode.com	http://www.flycode.com/
Another Gnutella Web page	http://welcome.to/gnutella
Gnutella downloads, links, and articles	http://daugava.com/gnutella.htm
Napster and OpenNap (open source Napster server)	http://opennap.sourceforge.net/
The Free Network Project, home of Freenet	http://freenet.sourceforge.net/
Yo!NK File Download Community	http://www.downloadcommunity.com/
NetBrilliant	http://www.netbrilliant.com/
FileSwap.com	http://www.fileswap.com/
Hotline	http://www.bigredh.com
Jungle Monkey (University of Michigan)	http://www.junglemonkey.net/

According to the Yo!NK community Web site, "Each member of the community shares a folder that receives new downloads and stores media that you would like others to download from you. You help define the community by the amount and type of files you have available. Your searches are broadcasted to the entire community, each Yo!NK member that matches your request will show you the files you want to download."