6 ms·

A totally neutral decentralize network run on closed software run by a corporation? Forgive me if I don't buy into it.

ComputerGuru 12y ago
And BitTorrent isn't the company it once was, developing software and protocols with a vision and for a purpose. Just look at what a pile of infested crap uTorrent has become.
- ruggeri 12y ago
  Yes, I do not trust any BitTorrent software. I wasn't being careful at installation and was shocked to find uTorrent changed my default search engine and added a bunch of bookmarks. I wasn't even aware it was developed by BitTorrent. On the positive side: Transmission works great!
  - ComputerGuru 12y ago
    It wasn't. They bought it out several years ago. You can still find the last original version on the net somewhere - it's surprisingly good and has aged really well. In fact, I get better performance out of it than out of Deluge or Transmission. Edit: here you are. you can still run it without instaing even: http://www.filehorse.com/download-utorrent/7858/ http://www.filehorse.com/download-utorrent/7858/
    - slacka 12y ago
      Of course Deluge, written in python can not compare to uTorrent's tightly optimized C++ code. Transmission is better, but its back-end (libTransmission) is not as well optimized as libtorrent-rasterbar. Any C++ client based on rasterbar such as qBittorrent should offer similar performance to uTorrent. If you don't require streaming, older uTorrect clients are still your best option. If you do, it IS possible to install the recent version of uTorrect without any external adware and to disable all of the banner ads.[1] [1] http://forum.utorrent.com/topic/81421-321-how-to-turn-off-ads-except-for-the-silly-upgrade-banner/page-3 http://forum.utorrent.com/topic/81421-321-how-to-turn-off-ad...
      - adrusi 12y ago
        The performance of bittorrent has almost nothing to do with the performance of the language the client is written in. Its not an io-bound task. Performance in bittorrent comes from selecting the right chunks at the right time from the right peers. I think utorrent uses its own algorithm whereas both deluge and transmission use libtorrent's built in algorithm (which is configurable, but only to an extent). Transmission and deluge often max out my bandwidth though, so its not like they're poor performers.
        slacka 12y ago
        Deluge and Transmission do NOT use the same libtorrent back-end. Also, you may be right about Deluge not being CPU bound on your i7 based desktop, but I can tell you from first hand experience that both Deluge and the Java based Vuze were maxing out my Atom based home server. Switching to the C++ based qBittorrent, resolved the issue.
        baldfat 12y ago
        aria2c on command line. Fastest download application ever for everything including bittorrent and including metalinks.
    - jszymborski 12y ago
      I'd just be a little bit afraid of security issues no? There have been a couple of uTorrent vulnerabilities in the past. http://www.cvedetails.com/vulnerability-list.php?vendor_id=6117&product_id=0&version_id=0&page=1&hasexp=0&opdos=0&opec=0&opov=0&opcsrf=0&opgpriv=0&opsqli=0&opxss=0&opdirt=0&opmemc=0&ophttprs=0&opbyp=0&opfileinc=0&opginf=0&cvssscoremin=0&cvssscoremax=0&year=0&month=0&cweid=0&order=1&trc=9&sha=7820e6ca025f1883b7fbfe5f1a0e31a4a92cfb91 http://www.cvedetails.com/vulnerability-list.php?vendor_id=6...
- homulilly 12y ago
  Has BitTorrent the company ever not been shady? It seems like Bram Cohen made one cool open source project and then sold out as soon as he realized he could get rich off of it. Not that I wouldn't probably do the same but I'd probably draw the line at installing malware and lying to my users.
baldfat 12y ago
I have been using Bit Torrent Sync and I feel the same way. In action it works but in terms of philosophy it doesn't for me. Though the decentralized network could make all our concerns could totally be unfounded since if there was something not right we have the tools to find it through the bits it sends.
- killerpopiller 12y ago
  what is with the wining that bittorrent isn't open source? most of the software you use isn't FOSS. they came up with great tech. Why is Sync such a let down? It works very well for me. Not knowing what a software might be doing is problematic but isn't it the standard?
  - deno 12y ago
    > most of the software you use isn't FOSS. > Not knowing what a software might be doing is problematic but isn't it the standard? This sounds so bizarre after using Linux for so long. Most of the software I use is indeed FOSS. As far as BitTorrent Sync alternatives go check out Syncthing[https://syncthing.net/ https://syncthing.net/].
    - StavrosK 12y ago
      Does Syncthing work well?
      - dewarrn1 12y ago
        I've been using it for about 6 months and I've been very satisfied.
      - danieldk 12y ago
        It has some serious limitations compared to Bittorrent Sync. E.g. BTSync can relies on a tracker to find peers and uses relay servers in case port forwarding cannot be set up. Syncthing does not have anything like that yet, meaning that it cannot traverse many firewalls that you don't have under control. E.g. at work, all incoming connections are blocked unless they are initiated from within. So, Syncthing wouldn't work. It's pretty much the same with many hotels, etc. So, if you are on the go, it may not be any good. Another problem that I have with Syncthing is usability. With BTSync I can be pretty sure that if I send a sharing link to family, that they will be able to install the software and use the link. Syncthing would be too difficult to set up for most family members or friends. So, if you are looking for syncing some machines on a network under your own control, Syncthing is great. If you are looking for a Dropbox replacement that works everywhere with good sharing capabilities, BTSync is clearly the winner of the two.
joshstrange 12y ago
Amen, I don't trust BitTorrent (the company) at all. Sync was a MASSIVE let down and it feels like they've backtracked on decentralization and are just trying to slap their name on a bunch of products that leverage bittorrent (the technology) in some way even when the products don't align with what, I feel like, the majority of BT users want (open/decentralized).
- lewisl9029 12y ago
  Silently bundling cryptomining software with uTorrent is what crossed the line for me (not that I had very high regard for the company in the first place). I've since then switched to open-source alternatives of their products and will not touch anything else they make from now on, and advise everyone I know to do the same (unless they eventually open-source their products, which I highly doubt would ever happen).
  - ryanlol 12y ago
    Well, they weren't doing it "silently", users had to agree to install the miner.
- dmix 12y ago
  Syncthing is great though, which is an OSS clone of Sync. After I saw the awful security review for BT Sync, which is a massive closed-source C++ codebase, I switched to Syncthing which that is written in Go and posted on Github [0]. I find it has a better UI and it's more reliable than Sync in terms of connectivity/syncing speed. Maybe some people will be inspired by Maelsto, create a nice clone, and release it open-source. [0] https://github.com/syncthing/syncthing https://github.com/syncthing/syncthing [1] http://2014.hackitoergosum.org/bittorrentsync-security-privacy-analysis-hackito-session-results/ http://2014.hackitoergosum.org/bittorrentsync-security-priva...
  - danieldk 12y ago
    Syncthing is great though, which is an OSS clone of Sync. It doesn't offer anything near the features of Sync, requires that you have control over the firewall or the firewall is set up to use uPnP (which is not true for many networks I use on the go), is be difficult to install for friends or family I would want to share files with, and doesn't offer sharing invitation links. Syncthing is great for a subset of use cases of BTSync, it's mostly pre-1.4 BTSync (minus the trackers and relay servers to make it usable when you do not have control over the firewall.). After I saw the awful security review for BT Sync, Well, it was mostly the security review that was awful (did you read it, of course BTSync accesses the update server). iSec Partners also did a review of BT Sync and found it to be secure. Disclaimer: relatively happy user of Bittorrent Sync. Just not too happy with their monetization model, would have preferred purchasing the software, rather than a subscription model.
hellbanner 12y ago
What's your hardware setup & web browser setup?
agumonkey 12y ago
Let's release the FOSS kraken and see if they turn the inspiration into something we all would like to try.
- jszymborski 12y ago
  That's what I like to hear :) This sort of thing reminds me of MaidSafe, but I haven't really seen any traction in the years it's been around...

And BitTorrent isn't the company it once was, developing software and protocols with a vision and for a purpose. Just look at what a pile of infested crap uTorrent has become.

ruggeri 12y ago
Yes, I do not trust any BitTorrent software. I wasn't being careful at installation and was shocked to find uTorrent changed my default search engine and added a bunch of bookmarks. I wasn't even aware it was developed by BitTorrent. On the positive side: Transmission works great!
- ComputerGuru 12y ago
  It wasn't. They bought it out several years ago. You can still find the last original version on the net somewhere - it's surprisingly good and has aged really well. In fact, I get better performance out of it than out of Deluge or Transmission. Edit: here you are. you can still run it without instaing even: http://www.filehorse.com/download-utorrent/7858/ http://www.filehorse.com/download-utorrent/7858/
  - slacka 12y ago
    Of course Deluge, written in python can not compare to uTorrent's tightly optimized C++ code. Transmission is better, but its back-end (libTransmission) is not as well optimized as libtorrent-rasterbar. Any C++ client based on rasterbar such as qBittorrent should offer similar performance to uTorrent. If you don't require streaming, older uTorrect clients are still your best option. If you do, it IS possible to install the recent version of uTorrect without any external adware and to disable all of the banner ads.[1] [1] http://forum.utorrent.com/topic/81421-321-how-to-turn-off-ads-except-for-the-silly-upgrade-banner/page-3 http://forum.utorrent.com/topic/81421-321-how-to-turn-off-ad...
    - adrusi 12y ago
      The performance of bittorrent has almost nothing to do with the performance of the language the client is written in. Its not an io-bound task. Performance in bittorrent comes from selecting the right chunks at the right time from the right peers. I think utorrent uses its own algorithm whereas both deluge and transmission use libtorrent's built in algorithm (which is configurable, but only to an extent). Transmission and deluge often max out my bandwidth though, so its not like they're poor performers.
      - slacka 12y ago
        Deluge and Transmission do NOT use the same libtorrent back-end. Also, you may be right about Deluge not being CPU bound on your i7 based desktop, but I can tell you from first hand experience that both Deluge and the Java based Vuze were maxing out my Atom based home server. Switching to the C++ based qBittorrent, resolved the issue.
        baldfat 12y ago
        aria2c on command line. Fastest download application ever for everything including bittorrent and including metalinks.
  - jszymborski 12y ago
    I'd just be a little bit afraid of security issues no? There have been a couple of uTorrent vulnerabilities in the past. http://www.cvedetails.com/vulnerability-list.php?vendor_id=6117&product_id=0&version_id=0&page=1&hasexp=0&opdos=0&opec=0&opov=0&opcsrf=0&opgpriv=0&opsqli=0&opxss=0&opdirt=0&opmemc=0&ophttprs=0&opbyp=0&opfileinc=0&opginf=0&cvssscoremin=0&cvssscoremax=0&year=0&month=0&cweid=0&order=1&trc=9&sha=7820e6ca025f1883b7fbfe5f1a0e31a4a92cfb91 http://www.cvedetails.com/vulnerability-list.php?vendor_id=6...
homulilly 12y ago
Has BitTorrent the company ever not been shady? It seems like Bram Cohen made one cool open source project and then sold out as soon as he realized he could get rich off of it. Not that I wouldn't probably do the same but I'd probably draw the line at installing malware and lying to my users.

baldfat 12y ago

I have been using Bit Torrent Sync and I feel the same way. In action it works but in terms of philosophy it doesn't for me. Though the decentralized network could make all our concerns could totally be unfounded since if there was something not right we have the tools to find it through the bits it sends.

killerpopiller 12y ago
what is with the wining that bittorrent isn't open source? most of the software you use isn't FOSS. they came up with great tech. Why is Sync such a let down? It works very well for me. Not knowing what a software might be doing is problematic but isn't it the standard?
- deno 12y ago
  > most of the software you use isn't FOSS. > Not knowing what a software might be doing is problematic but isn't it the standard? This sounds so bizarre after using Linux for so long. Most of the software I use is indeed FOSS. As far as BitTorrent Sync alternatives go check out Syncthing[https://syncthing.net/ https://syncthing.net/].
  - StavrosK 12y ago
    Does Syncthing work well?
    - dewarrn1 12y ago
      I've been using it for about 6 months and I've been very satisfied.
    - danieldk 12y ago
      It has some serious limitations compared to Bittorrent Sync. E.g. BTSync can relies on a tracker to find peers and uses relay servers in case port forwarding cannot be set up. Syncthing does not have anything like that yet, meaning that it cannot traverse many firewalls that you don't have under control. E.g. at work, all incoming connections are blocked unless they are initiated from within. So, Syncthing wouldn't work. It's pretty much the same with many hotels, etc. So, if you are on the go, it may not be any good. Another problem that I have with Syncthing is usability. With BTSync I can be pretty sure that if I send a sharing link to family, that they will be able to install the software and use the link. Syncthing would be too difficult to set up for most family members or friends. So, if you are looking for syncing some machines on a network under your own control, Syncthing is great. If you are looking for a Dropbox replacement that works everywhere with good sharing capabilities, BTSync is clearly the winner of the two.

joshstrange 12y ago

Amen, I don't trust BitTorrent (the company) at all. Sync was a MASSIVE let down and it feels like they've backtracked on decentralization and are just trying to slap their name on a bunch of products that leverage bittorrent (the technology) in some way even when the products don't align with what, I feel like, the majority of BT users want (open/decentralized).

lewisl9029 12y ago
Silently bundling cryptomining software with uTorrent is what crossed the line for me (not that I had very high regard for the company in the first place). I've since then switched to open-source alternatives of their products and will not touch anything else they make from now on, and advise everyone I know to do the same (unless they eventually open-source their products, which I highly doubt would ever happen).
- ryanlol 12y ago
  Well, they weren't doing it "silently", users had to agree to install the miner.
dmix 12y ago
Syncthing is great though, which is an OSS clone of Sync. After I saw the awful security review for BT Sync, which is a massive closed-source C++ codebase, I switched to Syncthing which that is written in Go and posted on Github [0]. I find it has a better UI and it's more reliable than Sync in terms of connectivity/syncing speed. Maybe some people will be inspired by Maelsto, create a nice clone, and release it open-source. [0] https://github.com/syncthing/syncthing https://github.com/syncthing/syncthing [1] http://2014.hackitoergosum.org/bittorrentsync-security-privacy-analysis-hackito-session-results/ http://2014.hackitoergosum.org/bittorrentsync-security-priva...
- danieldk 12y ago
  Syncthing is great though, which is an OSS clone of Sync. It doesn't offer anything near the features of Sync, requires that you have control over the firewall or the firewall is set up to use uPnP (which is not true for many networks I use on the go), is be difficult to install for friends or family I would want to share files with, and doesn't offer sharing invitation links. Syncthing is great for a subset of use cases of BTSync, it's mostly pre-1.4 BTSync (minus the trackers and relay servers to make it usable when you do not have control over the firewall.). After I saw the awful security review for BT Sync, Well, it was mostly the security review that was awful (did you read it, of course BTSync accesses the update server). iSec Partners also did a review of BT Sync and found it to be secure. Disclaimer: relatively happy user of Bittorrent Sync. Just not too happy with their monetization model, would have preferred purchasing the software, rather than a subscription model.

hellbanner 12y ago

What's your hardware setup & web browser setup?

agumonkey 12y ago

Let's release the FOSS kraken and see if they turn the inspiration into something we all would like to try.

jszymborski 12y ago
That's what I like to hear :) This sort of thing reminds me of MaidSafe, but I haven't really seen any traction in the years it's been around...