Blip: Peer-to-peer massive file sharing

I wonder how widely usable is file sharing nowadays when most of the non tech people just use cloud services for their data, be it google docs or some cloud photo storage

Re: Blip: Peer-to-peer massive file sharing

#5

Post by abcd_f » Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 4:40 PM UTC

This is a minor OCD nitpick, but

> at super fast speeds

Fast speeds aren't a thing, just like cheap prices and wet waters aren't.

Re: Blip: Peer-to-peer massive file sharing

#6

Post by Saris » Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 4:42 PM UTC

Interesting that it says "Internet sending may be slower during peak times to keep things fair" even though it's supposed to be P2P?

Maybe they just mean if you end up with a relayed connection due to NAT issues? Because lower down it says "Send as fast as your connection"

Re: Blip: Peer-to-peer massive file sharing

#7

Post by poisonborz » Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 4:43 PM UTC

Free open source alternative: https://pairdrop.net

Re: Blip: Peer-to-peer massive file sharing

#8

Post by lagniappe » Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 4:43 PM UTC

I have a few qualms with this app:

1. For a Linux user, you can already build such a system yourself quite trivially by getting an FTP account, mounting it locally with curlftpfs, and then using SVN or CVS on the mounted filesystem. From Windows or Mac, this FTP account could be accessed through built-in software.

2. It doesn't actually replace a USB drive. Most people I know e-mail files to themselves or host them somewhere online to be able to perform presentations, but they still carry a USB drive in case there are connectivity problems. This does not solve the connectivity issue.

3. It does not seem very "viral" or income-generating. I know this is premature at this point, but without charging users for the service, is it reasonable to expect to make money off of this?

Re: Blip: Peer-to-peer massive file sharing

#9

Post by realsdx » Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 4:44 PM UTC

ryandotsmith wrote: post #2

Does anyone have an idea of how this is built? I wonder if they are using QUIC with relay servers or something like Tailscale's DERP.

If it's truly p2p, some relay would be there in case the client cannot be reached through NAT. Not sure how they would bear the cost of the bandwidth for unlimited transfers in that case

Re: Blip: Peer-to-peer massive file sharing

#10

Post by mbrumlow » Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 4:44 PM UTC

So airdrop…

Not sure why this needs to be a service. Or why data needs to go through their servers.