a question on server stuff

is it really necessary to have a server computer for a program like Napster? i mean...if you could make it server independent, then the courts couldnt shut you down

if you really think about it, a server computer for a program like Napster really only speeds up search time...but it couldnt be by that much....

with a server computer, you can flag every computer that is logged on and make searches fast...but without a server, you have to search every IP address on the internet...

unless you could figure out a way

all you really have to do is keep a list of all logged on IP addresses in a text file...

you could keep that on a geocities server if you wanted to...

just some thoughts...

Then the server becomes geocities, and is promptly removed for TOS.

The best you can do is a bunch of redundant servers, and each system keeps track of the closest 10 or 20 (in terms of IP hops), and tries each when it logs on. Maybe a few central meta servers (text file list of IPs on geocities :) for new comers who don't have a list.

ummmm.... yeah... see MORPHEUS

http://www.openp2p.com/pub/a/p2p/200.../morpheus.html

it says it needs centralized user reg and logon, so it counts as a centralized meta-server type thingy.

but the data aquisition doesn't pass through their server. This is why they are still running... and Napster isn't. ;) Might be just a matter of time tho...

what about Aimster?

Check out gnutella

You can set your computer up as a server with most any ftp
program. All you have to do is make a directory where
you'll store your shared files and allow ftp access to that
and only that directory. They can both up and download.

If you have a web page, just upload the files to a page and
let people download whatever is there. Uploading is another
matter there, however.

I did the ftp thing several years ago, even before Netscape,
in the days when telnet was popular. Took forever to d/l
anything with those 14.4 modems :cool: , maybe even before
you was born. :) .

rick barclay

As has already been stated, almost any machine can be a server now. Maybe not a good one but a server none the less. As 'work stations' (I'm still chuckling about the 'station' thread') got fatter and servers got a little thinner all the lines have blurred.

Naptser and all its friends are considered peer to peer not client/server. But as 'servers' tend to be higher end machines, running through them improves performance.

There are lots of folks out there running stuff over the web that is not centralized.

Napster was shut down because it was the largest. 3 or 4 of the smaller ones got sued this week.

The days of stealing music and films w/incredible ease may not go on too much longer.

>The days of stealing music and films w/incredible ease may not go on too much longer.<

Only forever.

rick barclay