Oops, that should read "despite its illegitimate uses" ... On Jan 17, 2008 7:51 AM, Fred Benenson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > > On Jan 17, 2008 4:19 AM, Ryan Prior <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > Thanks for the reply, > > > > On Jan 16, 2008 7:27 PM, Elizabeth Stark <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > > That does indeed sound frustrating. Have you considered arguing that > > > the free software BT clients don't contain spyware, and that users can > > > directly audit the code to confirm this? > > > > > > I may write something for a university circular or news publication > > about BitTorrent and the reality of legal file sharing, but I have not > > considered in depth what I will write and whether I will push a > > free-software slant. The BitTorrent client named by the tech I talked to as > > an example of one containing spyware was uTorrent, which is not open-source > > to my knowledge but is very popular and renowned for its small memory > > footprint, but I have heard reports that some versions of uTorrent do indeed > > contain spyware. > > > > The original bit torrent client software by Bram Cohen and Azureus are > both examlpes of free software clients that you should consider using. > > Also consider switching to Linux -- no spyware or reason to pirate > software on that platform. > > > > > > > > > > Of course it's possible that you could download something containing > > > spyware with a BT client, but that is really no different than anywhere > > > else > > > on the internet. > > > > > > I asked if that was the intended message, and the response I got was > > "While it's possible to download spyware using BitTorrent, the client itself > > is also spyware." > > > > > > > > > > > > > What are they threatening to do if you refuse to stop or at least > > > reduce your BT usage? > > > > > > I have heard no threats related to BitTorrent use. As far as I can tell, > > they are simply strongly discouraging it and making BitTorrent users > > uncomfortable with harassing emails. There is a policy for suspected > > copyright infringement, but since the university claims that it does not > > look at the content of the files being downloaded, it would seem that the > > copyright infringement bit would only be triggered by a complaint of such, > > not simply by a flag sent up by the network hub. It would seem that they > > determine whether you are using BitTorrent by watching which IPs you connect > > to, how much traffic you send and receive, and perhaps the signature packet > > handshake used by the BitTorrent protocol. I have not confirmed any of that, > > but the emails I got complained about how many IPs I was connecting to and > > how much bandwidth I was using, saying that my patterns of use are > > consistent with those of "illegal file sharing". > > > > Thanks for the idea about suggesting free software clients. If the > > resident computer administrators are truly concerned about spyware, I think > > they should encourage users to use BitTorrent clients that do not contain > > spyware rather than warning that BitTorrent clients in general contain > > spyware. > > > > > I think you should consider opening up a dialog with them and trying to > discourage them from using fear, uncertainty and doubt to discourage a > perfectly legitimate tool. > > If things get bad you can consider offering them a compromise -- > throttling your own bandwidth using the built in scheduler in the client. If > you say something like "I'll keep it under 500kbps down and 100kpbs up" they > might be happier about you using your network resources. > > Situations like this are tough because universities essentially function > as your ISP but with stricter and less clear terms of use. > > Another thing to consider if they start getting really aggressive is > writing an Op-Ed column for your newspaper. They'll most likely be very > happy about a new voice talking about an issue that is becoming more and > more relevant to students -- and it'll put you in a good position to > properly craft the dialog: Allowing BitTorrent transfers is crucial to > preserving network neutrality on campus, and despite its legitimate uses, BT > is an effective and useful tool for students. > > At the end of the OpEd you can recruit for a Free Culture chapter! Chances > are there will be a number of other people who received similar e-mails and > feel the same way you do. > > You should see this as an opportunity to get active! > > > Good luck, > > Fred > > >
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