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There is a major flaw. A flash-based P2P network is only available among people who have their browser open at that very moment. So it cannot replace torrents b

There is a major flaw. A flash-based P2P network is only available among people who have their browser open at that very moment. So it cannot replace torrents because people don't leave their browsers open to seed for other people. When they are done, they close their browsers. And from what I understand of the spare documentation, closed source clients are going to need to pay license fees to interact with this P2P network. And did you happen to notice the "Secure Media" part of the protocol? This is a DRM encumbered, Non-Commercial, GPL infected protocol. I don't think it will be very successful.

hank777 18y ago
Huh? 1. This is not about replacing torrents. There wouldn't be much economic impact in that since that stuff is already stolen and in any case torrents are not on any CDN network. The point is that sites like youtube, hulu, and any other flash based video services (almost everything) will be able to operate at radically lower costs. 2. DRM has nothing to do with this protocol. You can implement DRM if you want. Its a separate layer. And many of the key content providers will want protection over their streams. 3. I dont know why it is "Non-Commercial" and "GPL infected" I don't know what that means. I would suggest that torrents are non commercial since there are no businesses offering their content via torrents and making money. That is, I believe, the definition of "commercial". 4. The issue of browsers needing to be open is a real one, though that only effects the level of effectiveness (i.e. cost savings). Most services deliver the most popular content most frequently. So at any given time, someone who's browser is open likely has all of or a part of a file that you want.
- deleted 18y ago
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- TFrancis 18y ago
  Could this be a replacement for torrents? I don't understand why someone couldn't write a BitTorrentish client in Flash/Air. It could really lower the barrier to entry for many people. Have you tried explaining how to use the BitTorrent protocol to a lay person? Seriously, if the Pirate Bay offered an in browser Flash based P2P client that was interoperable with other BitTorrent clients, that would really shake things up. Personally, I don't believe that keeping the browser open is really that much of a problem. I keep Meebo and GMail open all day. It's been said, Firefox is the new Emacs; just another operating system.
- tsuraan 18y ago
  "I would suggest that torrents are non commercial since there are no businesses offering their content via torrents and making money." Well, there's the marginally profitable World of Warcraft, which uses bittorrent for content distribution (http://www.blizzard.co.uk/wow/faq/bittorrent.shtml http://www.blizzard.co.uk/wow/faq/bittorrent.shtml). Most linux distributions also offer their content through bittorrent, although I'm not sure how profitable they tend to be. I'm pretty sure some of the linux companies make money though.
  - hank777 18y ago
    Point taken. I really hadnt thought of things like linux distros. Was thinking more of movies tv shows etc.
poppysan 18y ago
Actually the new flash player allows direct access to your computer for processing and cacheing. There may be some privacy issues along the road ahead, but your browser does not need to be open necessarily. Hopefully they can iron this out before launch!

hank777 18y ago

Huh? 1. This is not about replacing torrents. There wouldn't be much economic impact in that since that stuff is already stolen and in any case torrents are not on any CDN network. The point is that sites like youtube, hulu, and any other flash based video services (almost everything) will be able to operate at radically lower costs. 2. DRM has nothing to do with this protocol. You can implement DRM if you want. Its a separate layer. And many of the key content providers will want protection over their streams. 3. I dont know why it is "Non-Commercial" and "GPL infected" I don't know what that means. I would suggest that torrents are non commercial since there are no businesses offering their content via torrents and making money. That is, I believe, the definition of "commercial". 4. The issue of browsers needing to be open is a real one, though that only effects the level of effectiveness (i.e. cost savings). Most services deliver the most popular content most frequently. So at any given time, someone who's browser is open likely has all of or a part of a file that you want.

deleted 18y ago
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TFrancis 18y ago
Could this be a replacement for torrents? I don't understand why someone couldn't write a BitTorrentish client in Flash/Air. It could really lower the barrier to entry for many people. Have you tried explaining how to use the BitTorrent protocol to a lay person? Seriously, if the Pirate Bay offered an in browser Flash based P2P client that was interoperable with other BitTorrent clients, that would really shake things up. Personally, I don't believe that keeping the browser open is really that much of a problem. I keep Meebo and GMail open all day. It's been said, Firefox is the new Emacs; just another operating system.
tsuraan 18y ago
"I would suggest that torrents are non commercial since there are no businesses offering their content via torrents and making money." Well, there's the marginally profitable World of Warcraft, which uses bittorrent for content distribution (http://www.blizzard.co.uk/wow/faq/bittorrent.shtml http://www.blizzard.co.uk/wow/faq/bittorrent.shtml). Most linux distributions also offer their content through bittorrent, although I'm not sure how profitable they tend to be. I'm pretty sure some of the linux companies make money though.
- hank777 18y ago
  Point taken. I really hadnt thought of things like linux distros. Was thinking more of movies tv shows etc.

poppysan 18y ago

Actually the new flash player allows direct access to your computer for processing and cacheing. There may be some privacy issues along the road ahead, but your browser does not need to be open necessarily. Hopefully they can iron this out before launch!