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  • http://carbonize.co.uk Carbonize

    Hmm can’t say I’m a big fan of this. Sounds like someone created a program and then came up with some apparent problems it overcomes. I mean how many times do you actually share files on a regular basis that cannot just be done using something like Dropbox or even good old file transfer over messenger. Expecting people to install a program just to download your files seems a bit much.

    You say that it doesn’t appear to be true bit torrent as in the files are not shared from your computer so that raises the question of where are they shared from? How are they paying for the servers if they are stored in the clouds and, once uploaded, who owns your files?

  • pd

    I find it strange that file sharing is still a problem for most people. The problem is really obvious on instant messaging systems that offer file transfers but, with the exception of Skype, such transfers are completely unreliable. On such systems you have a perfect means for communicating instantly added to a ‘friends’ system (add/remove/approve buddies/friends/contacts) and a status notification system. Right there are all the ingredients needed for a file sharing system except a reliable protocol. Resumable FTP has historically been flakey whereas a crucial basis of BitTorrent is splitting files reliably into pieces. So there you have all the ingredients surely? Friend A wants to share file with friend B. Instant message network knows each friend’s IP and knows when they are concurrently online. Start BT transfer and if either user goes offline, piecemeal file transfer stops but is easily and reliably resumed when both re-connect. In fact the IM network’s status facility wouldn’t even be necessary since the BT protocol could connect directly P2P style and simply resume transfers when both users are online. All the IM network has to do is act as a permissions and IP updater.

    I think given how simple better file sharing could be, it’s clear that the main reason it already isn’t better is fear of litigation amongst the big players in software.

  • Simakuutio

    For quick sharing (for my friends), I have been using HFS which fits perfectly to my needs. I can control completely lifetime of that sharing, bandwidth consuming etc stuff with nice portable app. Can’t be happier …

    • Samer

      Thanks guys for your input.

      @ Carbonize: your are right in the points you make. However, uploading something to a third party server will always carry with it the question of whether these are truly private, etc. This may be an argument for direct file sharing (using a program like HFS which Simakuutio sited above), but I do not care to do this most of the time because I have to be there and online to make it happen, each and every single time that I want to share the file. If really worried about privacy, then in any case I would recommend encrypting the files first.

      Consider this example: I would like to send the 1 gig HD video I made of my son’s school play to his grandma who lives in another time zone. I typically keep this video on my network attached storage unit (a kind of hard drive/server combo), which is actually connected to my hardware media player device. What’s also true is (a) I do not want coordinate with grandma or others to install (and configure) something like HFS and to be online simultaneously, (b) I do not want this file to be taking up space on my Dropbox folder or my laptop, and (c) I may want to share this file with others later on, like his other grandma. In this case, Share is the perfect app to use.

      These reasons are also why Share is a better fit in some cases than the pure torrent method pd writes about above (thanks for your input pd).

      As to the issue of who pays for servers/bandwidth, the answer is they do. This app is by Bittorrent, and their business model seems to accommodate it. Judging by their Vodo.net project which we

      just featured

      on Freewaregenius, they do not have a bandwidth issue.

  • SwampCat

    Hi Guys!

    The Application has interesting/attractive concept … but …

    1) despite I have many friends to share (big) files with – none of us are using Facebook & never will
    We even choose to block the domain with our firewalls (together with Twitter :) )
    So? Do you know any plans by ShareIt to change invitation feature – this is a huge restriction at the moment;
    2) The option “Forums” brings you to µTorrent forum …. where I failed to find any information/threads/discussions regarding the ShareIt Software

    Any ideas?
    Thanks in advance
    Cheers!

  • http://carbonize.co.uk Carbonize

    @SwampCat by all means I have no problem with people not wanting to use sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Google+ but blocking them at the firewall level is seriously OTT and achieves nothing or are you scared that if you visit their site even once you will have sold your soul to Satan?

  • SwampCat

    Hi Carbonize,

    1st, thanks for the reply.

    Well, re: blocking & “OTT” :)
    Such discussion would be most likely OffTopic here
    Just a few notes though:
    - I do achieve “something” by doing this
    - I’m not scared at all … many years experience with Software security (+ I’m a
    programmer);
    - as for the “soul being sold to Satan” – by any means I do not belong to those paranoid/sick-minded/conspiracy-searching idiots, believe me…

    Therefore, the main question remains:
    Were I can find any forum/discussions in order to ask ShareIt developers about their plans (if any) for introducing other ways to invite/use their Software without FaceBook involvement

    Regards

  • Thang

    Currently closed to new users.