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Peer-to-peer file transfers in the browser

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81–90 of 272 posts

Re: Peer-to-peer file transfers in the browser

#81
post #12
post #8

It's so strange that this should have been a solved problem decades ago, but somehow a robust and secure non-commercial solution never gets off the ground. Speaking of which, how is the IPFS project doing these days?

It was solved a decade ago, BitTorrent protocol

Yeah, your can do your dishes with the fire hose too.

Re: Peer-to-peer file transfers in the browser

#82
post #48

These are neat but... it's 2025, and there is still no first class standardized ways to move files over the Internet between PC/mobile/edge devices.

This is my constant frustration with phones.

I sit behind a keyboard, mouse, monitor, and an incredibly powerful desktop operating system for 99% of the working day. These devices are pretty much the pinnacle of human-computer interaction; arguably the best tools we have for interacting with digital content with speed and efficiency.

But as soon as I want to do something involving my phone, I have to physically reach for it and immediately hamper myself with its limited UI, screen size, and ludicrously locked-down ecosystem limitations.

Smartphones have been around for decades and yet we're still nowhere close to seamless integration with the rest of our devices. The best we've got are clunky half-featured workarounds (Airdroid) or overly-complex techy solutions inaccessible to laypeople (VNC).

As another commenter said, it's all very much intentional. It's a deliberate choice on behalf of greedy phone manufacturers and greedy app developers. And it's really, really frustrating.

Re: Peer-to-peer file transfers in the browser

#83
post #72
post #8

It's so strange that this should have been a solved problem decades ago, but somehow a robust and secure non-commercial solution never gets off the ground. Speaking of which, how is the IPFS project doing these days?

XKCD from a decade ago, and we still can't figure it out ;( https://xkcd.com/949/ Recently I had to send file from Whatsapp to Telegram, because apparently it is forbidden to download file from the Whatsapp and it's a "feature". Facepalm.... PS: afaik IPFS doesn't guarantee file storage, a separate paid middleman is required for that.

IPFS allows you to store your file and share the content ID to someone else so that they can get it through P2P

Re: Peer-to-peer file transfers in the browser

#84

Ignorant question: isn't WebRTC just... built into the browser? Do you really need a stack of 20 things to tell the browser to connect to another browser with WebRTC? Isn't one HTML page with a few lines of javascript enough?

This is actually a good question for you. You have a multiplayer browser game and you want to swap out the websocket you’re using for webrtc. What all would that change involve?

Re: Peer-to-peer file transfers in the browser

#85

I love this WebRTC based attempt to send files browser to browser. Too bad I’ve not yet seen it working without hiccups. I’m currently testing keet, which is in beta but promising as well. https://keet.io/

Keet is based on https://holepunch.to/ which I came here to say “Why don’t I ever hear about this around here?”

Holepunch is about open source tech for P2P apps without servers.

Re: Peer-to-peer file transfers in the browser

#86
post #82
post #48

These are neat but... it's 2025, and there is still no first class standardized ways to move files over the Internet between PC/mobile/edge devices.

This is my constant frustration with phones. I sit behind a keyboard, mouse, monitor, and an incredibly powerful desktop operating system for 99% of the working day. These devices are pretty much the pinnacle of human-computer interaction; arguably the best tools we have for interacting with digital content with speed and efficiency. But as soon as I want to do something involving my phone, I have to physically reach…

If you're on Windows I highly recommend Link to Phone

Re: Peer-to-peer file transfers in the browser

#87
post #8

It's so strange that this should have been a solved problem decades ago, but somehow a robust and secure non-commercial solution never gets off the ground. Speaking of which, how is the IPFS project doing these days?

IPFS is in this weird state where it's getting barely enough updates and enough usage to not be considered vaporware.

Re: Peer-to-peer file transfers in the browser

#88
post #8

It's so strange that this should have been a solved problem decades ago, but somehow a robust and secure non-commercial solution never gets off the ground. Speaking of which, how is the IPFS project doing these days?

Peer to peer sharing doesn't really have much opportunity for commercialization. The closest thing I can think of is bluetooth file sharing, which can still be a painful experience in some circumstances

Yes businesses tend to only work on interoperability when the interoperable product is just a complement to their main revenue generator. Like how Netflix releases clients for many platforms. No one is going to be motivated to make a (1) free (2) easy to use (3) cross platform file sharing solution. It'll also draw the ire of the copyright cartel. File locker websites have been harassed and "legitimate" cloud storage services are forced to police their user's files.

Re: Peer-to-peer file transfers in the browser

#89
post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It was solved a decade ago, BitTorrent protocol

Yeah, your can do your dishes with the fire hose too.

People drive one ton pickup trucks to commute to their desk job. Or to get two bags of groceries.

Re: Peer-to-peer file transfers in the browser

#90
post #78
post #69

>filepizza Horrible name dude

i like the name. pizza invokes thoughts of sharing anyway

As someone who had the misfortune of moderating a platform with filesharing features, I agree that the name is... really bad.

(Cheese) Pizza is slang for CSAM.

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Cheese%20piz...

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