File sharing is defined as the ways and means to provide
access to stored Digital content. This stored digital content can either be multi-media
or documents.
There are many ways in which File sharing can be achieved.
Following are some of the ways in which file sharing is simplified –
1. Detachable / removable devices like thumb drives / CD /
DVD /memory cards
2. FTP protocol – (File transfer protocol) It is easy to
share content over the same network by simply sharing the folder over the
network, however when this is to be done over computers not in the same network, it is not advised to leave the folder open to sharing over the internet.
Instead the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is used. FTP also enables transfers between different OS. A
thing to understand in FTP is that the there is a central server which will
provide the data to all other computers.
3. P2P networks (Peer to Peer Networks) – A peer to peer
network is somewhat similar to FTP. The difference being that there is no centralized server.
Every node in the network can either act as the server or the client depending
on whether it is sending data or receiving data. Software such as Bit Torrent
and µTorrent use the concept of p2p networks. With the advent of p2p networks
sharing digital content became very easy.
However a down side to this was that the piracy of digital
content became very simple. Since there is no central source to P2P
networks it is very difficult to shutdown these networks.
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| File Sharing |
Other ways in which
File sharing is carried out is via software like Dropbox and Google Drive where the
files are stored in the Cloud and then synced on to multiple devices including
mobile phones. Google Mail now allows
attachments of up to 25 GB (using Google Drive).
Q: How to decide which method to use for file sharing ?
- When a file needs to be downloaded again and again then it
would bet better to have it stored over a central server so that it can be
easily accessed. However the downside to this is that the server is the bottle
neck. P2P networks can possibly help solve that.
- When a file needs to be transferred on one time basis (or
less frequently) and over short distances removable devices can be used.
- Whenever one needs to sync data across multiple devices
options like Dropbox need to be explored.Edit - After various comments here is my opinion on File sharing.
File sharing has been and always will be essential for team work. I personally use Google Docs to share and collaborate on documents, while I always use Dropbox to store all essential data on my laptop. In addition to having a safe copy of all my data in the Dropbox it also helps me share this data by simply sharing a link to the data on Dropbox (So it sort of works like an FTP). Back in India,I also used p2p networks to legally download a document for the sake of experimenting.
Thank you for reading !
Hi Ashwin,
ReplyDeleteYour blog provides good knowledge about the exiting ways for file sharing, which is good to know. Also you mentioned some concerns about privacy issue with file sharing and provide your suggestions for choosing right method of file sharing. It is a good instruction about how to play with file sharing. To make this blog even more attractive, I suggest extending the discussion with your personal opinions or experience sharing, such as on the topic of privacy concern to the file sharing.
Regards,
Hi
ReplyDeleteI really like your article as it is very simple and clean. You have discussed the fundamental elements of file sharing which I personally think is good. I should admit that I did not know that torrent sites use P2P and this is what makes piracy easy. There are always pros and cons for each type. “Which type of file sharing to use?” - is a big question. Like you said, it all boils down to your requirement. Great work on the explanation of FTP and cloud file sharing too. Overall, it is a very nice write-up.
As always, your blog posts provide excellent information about the topic. You did a very good job at explaining the many different ways that we can share information with each other. however, there were some areas that i thought were a bit lacking. When reading your blog, I didn't see anything about your perspective of file sharing. I believe that it could have been improved if we had heard a bit from you about which services you use.
ReplyDeleteHi Ashwin,
ReplyDeleteYour post has a very clean structure and you do ensure that every point you pointed is clear for all readers. By reading your blog, I get to know some simple but classic ways of sharing file.
Also, in the end of the blog, you mentioned the problem of picking the way using file sharing. I like this part because all of the answer is from your point and experiments. It is always good to see one's point in the blog!
Good job!
Hi Ashwin, this entry is very well organized. You did a nice job in explaining file sharing protocols, its advantages and drawbacks. I like how you include the tips in Q&A format. Surely this post is very helpful.
ReplyDeleteHowever, rather than just simply putting all the information down, it is better if you can integrate your perspectives on the issue. Your experience about the subject could strengthen the entry as well.
Hey guys ! I appreciate all of your comments and have updated my blog post to reflect my opinions on the subject too !
ReplyDelete