P2P File Sharing

File sharing is the ability to share files, uploading or downloading, with others through some interconnected network, usually the Internet. File sharing began in the 1970s but became particularly popular in the late 90s with the Internet. By 2000, there were several sites and softwares emerging to support file sharing such as Napster (which was shut down after legal issues) and BitTorrent. BitTorrent is particularly interesting in the way it runs, and how fast it allows sharing files thanks to P2P file sharing. 

In the Wired article "The BitTorrent Effect," journalist Clive Thompson writes of BitTorrent founder Bram Cohen, who has developed one of the most efficient P2P file sharing models. P2P file sharing requires users to interact with one another in downloading and uploading files through a program with other connected users/computers. Traditional models often lag in terms of time, whether it's for the downloader or uploader because single complete files are being put up at once, but BitTorrent requires users to upload files in "bits" so they upload faster and ultimately the files come together for a complete piece. (You can read more on BitTorrent here - really interesting article!). However, there are several other P2P file sharing examples such as instant messaging and the ability to share files, Skype, and Gnutella.