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By Thomas Mennecke 7/17/03 Filetopia, while small compared to its powerhouse brethern, has long been an important member of the file-sharing community. With a stable userbase of approximately 3-4 thousand, the population of this network trade files in a secure and encrypted environment. In fact, Filetopia is the only sizable P2P network able to provide a secure environment while able to accommodate a mainstream audience. |
Filetopia has gone under a multitude
of changes over the last three years. Based in Spain, Filetopia actually existed
a few months before Napster. However, unlike Napster, Filetopia limped around
with only one central server. Despite this, it succeeded in attracting nearly
1,000 users looking to trade without big brother looking over its shoulder.
Since that time, Filetopia modernized it network, bringing decentralization
to its masses. This caused an upswing in its userbase to its current size of
approximately 3,500 users. While its seems to have stabilized in this realm,
the potential exists for a grand widening of its population. Considering the
current P2P environment is unfavorable for those on exposed networks, Filetopia
may offer a safe haven.
Currently, the Filetopia network is more than capable of handling a large swarm
of users. While some may be turned off by its bizarre interface, its functionality
is undeniable. Filetopia operates more like traditional IRC file-sharing, where
chat channels are essential to its operation. In addition, its search-engine
feature takes a back seat to its community-oriented query system.
Like our eDonkey interview, we asked three questions to "Enrique", the developer
of Filetopia. We would like to thank him for his time and effort that made this
article possible.
Slyck.com: What are your thoughts on the latest statement from the RIAA?
Filetopia: This is an indication of their weakness. They're losing the
battle and this is a desperate move to scare the users. They will not succeed
and their fanatical muscle cannot be big enough to sue a significant number
of file-sharing users. This will probably make people share their files more,
maybe taking more protective steps.
Slyck.com: How would you gauge the seriousness of this situation?
Filetopia: They're seriously losing the battle; their numbers probably
show it. They may be able to sue a few hundred people, but we are many millions.
Slyck.com: Pending the reality of the RIAA's threats, what steps will
your network administrators take to protect your network and/or users?
Filetopia: Strong encryption, more decentralization, IP hiding techniques,
protocols that they cannot hack to automate user hunting. Maybe it is time for
secure networks like Filetopia to be taken more into account by users.
I predict that more file sharing networks will appear, more aggressive than
the current ones, using encryption and IP-hiding techniques. All their efforts
to attack P2P networks will help them evolve. This just motivates the programmers
to improve them.
They simply cannot win. All resistance is futile. The sooner they realize it,
the better for them.
You
can visit Filetopis here.
MetaMachine's
encryption Q&A can be found here.
Tom from Slyck.com is a regular contributers to MP3 Newswire. His insights on other digital music issues can be read on his site and we encourage you to check it out.
The 20GB Rio
Riot Jukebox can be ordered from Amazon
Other MP3 stories:
The RIAA Offensive
- Part I (6/25/03)
The RIAA Offensive
- Part II (7/11/03)
