.............................................................. >From the New Paradigms Project [Not Necessarily Endorsed]: From: Lloyd Miller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Distributed file systems allow people to share any files, anonomously: Date: Thursday, June 22, 2000 4:58 AM ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, June 21, 2000 10:58 PM From: Howard Rothenburg <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: SNET: Beyond Napster: FreeNet -> SNETNEWS Mailing List Distributed file systems allow people to share any files, anonomously: ________ http://mmsound.about.com/library/weekly/aa061900a.htm Beyond Napster: FreeNet The future of online music distribution will be shaped by programs like FreeNet Dateline: 06/19/00 Napster has generated a lot of fuss recently. The enormously popular file sharing program, which enables users to swap music files for free, is at the center of a legal controversy and is featured in dozens of headlines. Lured by free music -- which might otherwise cost $14 at the local music store -- Napster's user base has grown exponentially. Venture capitalists recently kicked in $15 million. A San Francisco start up launched a parody Web site called Pay Lars, dedicated to compensating Metallica for royalties the band presumably lost because of Napster's free for all music distribution method. To top it off, Congress held hearings to debate Napster -- our nation's lawmakers invited rapper Chuck D to inform them about the phenomenon. But while Napster is the controversy du jour, there's another Web-based file sharing program that promises a more radical change. Called FreeNet, it's the creation of a 23 year-old Irish programmer named Ian Clarke. Unlike Napster, FreeNet has no centralized database. The program is distributed on thousands of servers throughout the Web, and users can upload and download files without needing to visit an individual URL. And FreeNet allows users to operate in complete anonymity -- the major record label which owns a given hit song will never know who posted an MP3 of the song. Or who downloaded it. This means that, in contrast to Napster, there's no one to sue. Copyright holders have no recourse, and digital distribution of music files (and video, software, images or text) can be completely free. Clarke was quoted as saying, "I think people will look back in 20 to 40 years and look at the idea that you can own information in the same way as gold or real estate in the same way we look as witch burning today." Visit the FreeNet site and you'll see the claim that "FreeNet is near perfect anarchy." Since FreeNet is not yet searchable, this term is indeed accurate (search capability is being discussed). And, not only will FreeNet have no centralized control, it will not even be under the control of its creators. In addition to the anonymity that Clarke has built into the program, FreeNet's features are: * It will be virtually impossible to forcibly remove a file from the FreeNet system * Anyone can publish information, without a domain name or a permanent Internet connection * Information will be stored throughout the network in a way that makes it difficult to determine where it is located * Availability of information will increase in proportion to demand for that information (by placing it on mirror sites) What Does It Mean? Although the site talks in glowing terms about FreeNet as the end of any possibility of censorship, this method of file sharing adds still more confusion to the controversy about online music distribution (not to mention video and software). The issues are numerous, and seem to grow more so with time. No one can say for how these changes will affect these three groups: Musicians How will musicians make money when most or all of their music is distributed for free? Some industry analysts see live performance and merchandise sales playing a larger role in musicians' survival. There's one school of thought that says the greater exposure provided by free music actually increases CD sales; believers in this philosophy point out that overall CD sales have increased in a recent period. But statistics also reveal that in the college age group (translated: serious downloaders) and in retail outlets close to colleges, sales have actually dipped. Record Labels It looks as if the the major labels will need to partially restructure their business. As evidenced by the constant legal wrangling of the label mouthpiece RIAA, the labels are clearly concerned by the MP3 revolution. And some well knows musicians, like Prince and Todd Rundgren are attempting to distribute their music online without the labels. The reason most musicians can't do this is the major labels' greatest strengths: marketing muscle. Without advertising, little known bands tend to remain little known bands. So it's reasonable to assume that, even as online distribution changes the music industry in unpredictable ways, the labels' marketing prowess will guarantee them a major role. Consumers According to one recent study, 13 million Americans have downloaded music. And while a healthy percentage of this number represents college students, more than 40 percent are in the 30-49 age group and 10 percent are over 50. (I 'd be interested to see the numbers for an international audience). In short, consumers have embraced online music with enthusiasm. And as the courts, labels and online music outlets battle it out (and software like FreeNet adds an unknown element) consumers have a wealth before them. It's a great time to be a music enthusiast (unless copyright issues bother you, and it doesn't seem to be much of an issue for most people). History Repeats Itself Take a look at the the above three groups and see who's getting the short end of the stick -- the musicians! Funny isn't it, they always seem to get the worst deal. The greatest hope for musicians is that new online distribution methods will allow them to reach a mass audience without the commercial restrictions of record labels. Let's hope so. Links to About articles MP3/MIDI Music guide Steve Allen's article about Gnutella, a file sharing program similar to FreeNet. Net Culture guide Donna Howell's article about Napster's legal controversy. -> To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___________________________________________________________ T O P I C A The Email You Want. http://www.topica.com/t/16 Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics Forwarded for info and discussion from the New Paradigms Discussion List, not necessarily endorsed by: *********************************** Lloyd Miller, Research Director for A-albionic Research a ruling class/conspiracy research resource for the entire political-ideological spectrum. **FREE RARE BOOK SEARCH: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ** Explore Our Archive: <http://a-albionic.com/a-albionic.html> <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! 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