WebTorrent now works in the browser, end-to-end

"instant.io: drop a file or files on the browser, it generates a torrent, and you become the first seeder just send the info hash to a friend and they'll download the file from you using the bittorrent protocol -- swarming works (so multiple people can download efficiently)"

https://botbot.me/freenode/webtorrent/2014-09-11/

(wasn't obvious to me what this was...)

Re: WebTorrent now works in the browser, end-to-end

#5

Post by captainmuon » Mon, Sep 15, 2014, 8:14 AM UTC

It's nice to see BitTorrent used for file transfers (user to user). Strange that it is still hard to get files from A to B. You can put them on a webserver if you have one, or use dropbox, but the download can only start when the upload is finished. I usually use scp for this, but it only works when one side is not firewalled, and isn't feasible for non-technical people. This one could be really useful.

It's sad that BitTorrent is otherwise basically dead (as a way to obtain content). Where I live (Germany) you often get immediately subpoenaed (or the German equiv.) if you use it to download something.

Re: WebTorrent now works in the browser, end-to-end

#6

Post by iopq » Mon, Sep 15, 2014, 8:24 AM UTC

captainmuon wrote: post #5

It's nice to see BitTorrent used for file transfers (user to user). Strange that it is still hard to get files from A to B. You can put them on a webserver if you have one, or use dropbox, but the download can only start when the upload is finished. I usually use scp for this, but it only works when one side is not firewalled, and isn't feasible for non-technical people. This one could be really useful. It's sad that…

Wow, I've never heard of this before. I am using torrent as we speak.

Re: WebTorrent now works in the browser, end-to-end

#7

Post by captainmuon » Mon, Sep 15, 2014, 8:33 AM UTC

iopq wrote: post #6

captainmuon wrote: post #5

It's nice to see BitTorrent used for file transfers (user to user). Strange that it is still hard to get files from A to B. You can put them on a webserver if you have one, or use dropbox, but the download can only start when the upload is finished. I usually use scp for this, but it only works when one side is not firewalled, and isn't feasible for non-technical people. This one could be really useful. It's sad that…

Wow, I've never heard of this before. I am using torrent as we speak.

I have to say, there's only a problem while illegally downloading stuff (tv shows, films, ...) of course. BitTorrent itself is perfectly legal, and I've seriously used it many times to download Linux ISOs and similar. Also technically, it is the uploading that bittorrent does that is illegal.

The other day I made the mistake of downloading one of the last How I Met Your Mother episodes via torrent (the first time in years). Two weeks later I had a nice invoice over several hundred Euros in my mailbox :-(, and I know a couple other people to whom happened the same. That's why I wouldn't touch Popcorn Time with a ten feet pole.

Re: WebTorrent now works in the browser, end-to-end

#8

Post by dlxfoo » Mon, Sep 15, 2014, 8:34 AM UTC

captainmuon wrote: post #5

It's nice to see BitTorrent used for file transfers (user to user). Strange that it is still hard to get files from A to B. You can put them on a webserver if you have one, or use dropbox, but the download can only start when the upload is finished. I usually use scp for this, but it only works when one side is not firewalled, and isn't feasible for non-technical people. This one could be really useful. It's sad that…

you might be interested in torrent-webstorage services such as put.io then.

Re: WebTorrent now works in the browser, end-to-end

#9

Post by ccozan » Mon, Sep 15, 2014, 8:35 AM UTC

captainmuon wrote: post #5

It's nice to see BitTorrent used for file transfers (user to user). Strange that it is still hard to get files from A to B. You can put them on a webserver if you have one, or use dropbox, but the download can only start when the upload is finished. I usually use scp for this, but it only works when one side is not firewalled, and isn't feasible for non-technical people. This one could be really useful. It's sad that…

I live in Germany but this is the first time I hear about this.

The only rule might be: do not down load content ( music) from Sony/BMG because they actively monitor the biggest torrent sites/downloads and might get a letter from their lawyer ( which you can ignore basically).

Movies and music from other labels are relatively safe. I don't download anymore since with 7 euro montly ( two beers) I have Google all access, while spotify is free from mobile.

Re: WebTorrent now works in the browser, end-to-end

#10

Post by aw3c2 » Mon, Sep 15, 2014, 8:35 AM UTC

captainmuon wrote: post #5

It's nice to see BitTorrent used for file transfers (user to user). Strange that it is still hard to get files from A to B. You can put them on a webserver if you have one, or use dropbox, but the download can only start when the upload is finished. I usually use scp for this, but it only works when one side is not firewalled, and isn't feasible for non-technical people. This one could be really useful. It's sad that…

> Where I live (Germany) you often get immediately subpoenaed (or the German equiv.) if you use it to download something.

That's absolutely not true. You can use BitTorrent as much as you like, there is absolutely no danger in doing so. If you commit copyright violations however, you might get caught regardless of how you did it.