A peer to peer file sharing network turns computers into both clients and servers. The person whose computer is hosting the file being download is the server and the one performing the download is the client. However, these roles can change as soon as another computer user begins to download files from another computer. It is also possible to both download and upload files simultaneously, performing both roles of client and server at once.

It’s important to realize that some file sharing networking software programs also function as a server, while others are solely dedicated to enabling peer nodes to connect with each other. Since each computer is directly accessing one another, it is imperative to use caution when engaging in file sharing activities. Viruses, Trojans, and spy ware are often prevalent when file sharing and these threats to your computer can easily be picked up. Additionally, there are laws that govern peer to peer file sharing and it is important that you understand and abide by the law when engaging in any file sharing activities.

The injunction was a success and by July 2001, Napster had shut down all services. By September 2001, Napster was required to pay 26 million dollars in fees for the sharing of illegal music over its network. Napster tried to stay in business by converting its service to a fee based membership where royalty fees would then be paid to the recording industry. However, this was not successful and by September 2002, Napster had declared bankruptcy.

Today, Napster is back in business as a legal file sharing network. You can buy MP3s online and there are music listening services available for mobile users as well. The new Napster is available on a global scale, and those who are interested in trying the service can sign up for a free trial. Though Napster has undergone many court cases, battles, and changes over the years, many will always consider Napster to be the original file sharing program.

If you are interested in using Kazaa to promote your own works, don’t make the mistake of believing that this is limited only to musicians. Authors, video programmers, gamers, and photographers can use Kazaa to freely share their works. Kazaa has an entire section of their website dedicated to helping authors promote and legally share their works with each other. Your first step in sharing your own original works is to choose a license. You can choose a Creative Commons License, which ranges from completely free and in the public domain, to free to share but not to edit or change the content. You can also select your licensing as Digital Rights Management. This will allow you to control how much of your content is available for free. You can also set a fee for your work, ensuring that you aren’t giving everything away for free.

Kazaa is an excellent tool that content creators can use to distribute their works. You can even use the Magnet Link Builder to further promote your items. By using Kazaa’s Magnet Link, you will begin by hosting the file on your website or blog and allowing Kazaa users to download it from there. Once the file is downloaded repeatedly, it will then be shared from user to user through the network and you won’t need to worry about hosting the file on your server. Kazaa is an excellent way to promote your own materials, as well as download and share other files through a stable peer 2 peer network.

Downloading and installing LimeWire is simple; you will just follow the pop up boxes, as they will instruct you each step of the way. However, you will want to make note of the fact that where you download your LimeWire program file for the installation will not be the same folder where your downloaded files are stored. This is a common mistake, that often leaves file sharers looking for downloads on his or her computer. You’ll be able to determine a special folder for your downloads later.

LimeWire users also find that it is very simple to perform a search, and to configure the search query to your exact specifications. The LimeWire program features a filter box on the left panel of your program and you can easily click any of the criteria that will enable you to find your content easily. Another filter that is included with LimeWire that has helped increase its success as a peer 2 peer program are the junk filters. You can increase the effectiveness of the filters by using the junk or not junk filters every time you use a search. If you start using these filters in your early searches, the program will recognize your searches and filter out the junk according to your preferences. Due to the fact that LimeWire is an open source program, that it has many filters that allow the user to exercise great control over searches completed, LimeWire is recognized as the leader in the peer 2 peer networking field.

]]> http://www.itic.ca/how-to-use-limewire/feed http://www.itic.ca/how-to-find-free-mp3-downloads http://www.itic.ca/how-to-find-free-mp3-downloads#comments Mon, 08 Dec 2008 03:08:52 +0000 admin http://www.itic.ca/?p=15 There are many ways to find and download free MP3 downloads from your computer. Using peer 2 peer file sharing networks is undoubtedly one of the most prevalent ways to find and download free mp3s. By choosing a peer 2 peer program, installing it on your computer, and then searching other users’ computer files, you will have access to virtually an unlimited amount of mp3 files. However, it is also possible to find a number of illegal files, spyware, and viruses as well, so it is important to always use caution and exercise care when using p2p networks.

Another way to find free MP3 downloads is to look for music sites that give out free MP3s online. Some sites that provide MP3s on a subscription basis will let you download free MP3s on a trial basis. Rhapsody is one site that allows users the option of downloading 25 free MP3s each month. You can also find free MP3 downloads through iTunes by searching in their store under the keyword, free. These options can provide you with a good deal of free MP3s and you won’t need to deal with spyware, Trojans, or other viruses when downloading free MP3s in this method.

Finally, there is a way to use Google to find free MP3 downloads. By typing in the following phrase, -inurl:htm -inurl:html intitle:”index of” mp3 “mozart” and alternating the last word to the type of music you are interested in finding, you can come upon a number of MP3 files that are being hosted online. This method is very effective and can reveal a great amount of MP3 files that are online. To save the files, all you do is right click and choose “save target as” or “save link as”. Create a folder where you will download and store the MP3 files on your computer. You can test the MP3s by clicking on them as well.

1. iTunes- iTunes is one of the best rated music download sites. You can easily download your favorite tunes to your iPod or directly to your computer. It is easy to use and the iTunes software application can handle many other media formats. There is a wide range of subscription packages available to choose from and single MP3s cost .99. You can also regularly find many free podcasts, mp3s, and television shows to keep you busy. To get started, all you need to do is download the free iTunes software application.

1. Rhapsody- owned by Real Networks, Rhapsody is recognized as one of the best music download sites due to the fact that it is extremely user friendly and has great search capabilities. Rhapsody also gives away 25 free MP3s a month though an unlimited subscription is approximately $13.00 per month.

1. Napster- the original digital sharing service still rates high on everyone’s list as one of the best music download sites.

1. eMusic- doesn’t use Digital Rights Management, so the music is much less competitive. You’ll find plenty of independent music on eMusic, but the plus is that you won’t need to worry about the RIAA.

1. Amazon MP3- doesn’t require a subscription and individual prices for MP3s and albums vary in price. The library is extensive and it is easy to use.

Another option is to join a Freecycle group in your area. Freecycle is a global network that aims to reduce the amount of waste in landfills. Members agree to give away items free of charge. You can visit Freecycle.org and find you local chapter. Though these are great resources, you might be interested in finding cheap DVDs online. This allows greater flexibility and you’ll have the option of searching for titles and purchasing them on demand. Here are some great sites where you can find cheap DVDs online.

Amazon is a great source of cheap DVDs. You can buy DVDs used or new and many new titles are available at discount prices. If you choose to buy used DVDs, you can look through users history and determine what their reviews are as a seller. You can easily build your DVD collection, including old and new titles, with Amazon.

Ebay is another great resource for finding both new and used DVDs. If you’ve never shopped at Ebay before, you’ll find that it isn’t very difficult and there are plenty of resources readily available to help you with the buying process. Again, you should read the reviews for each seller that you are considering purchasing from.

Netflix used to offer used DVDs for sale but has discontinued the practice. This brings to light the point that many companies are now streaming DVDs over the Internet for a subscription basis. Most of these companies include licenses to prevent users from downloading, copying, and burning copies of the DVDs. If you aren’t interested in building a collection, but having easy access to DVDs to watch, then you might be interested in streaming DVDs. However, if your goal is to build a tangible collection, then you’ll need to focus on purchasing cheap DVDs or using the other suggestions in your local area.

]]> http://www.itic.ca/where-to-find-cheap-dvds/feed http://www.itic.ca/using-myspace-safely-myspace-safety http://www.itic.ca/using-myspace-safely-myspace-safety#comments Mon, 08 Dec 2008 03:01:28 +0000 admin http://www.itic.ca/?p=5 MySpace is one of the premier social networking websites, it is used by millions of people on a global scale daily. Since so many use MySpace, it is important to remember and utilize safety tips to make certain that your personal and private information is protected. Though some might think that it is only minors who need to be concerned about their safety when using MySpace, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Every MySpace user is open to vulnerabilities if they do not take the steps needed to secure and protect their information. Here are some tips that will help ensure your safety while on MySpace.

Be aware that the information you post is public. If you want to prevent strangers from viewing your personal information, then set your account to private. Otherwise, your photos, comments, blog posts, and even your friends are available for viewing. Under no circumstance should you put your personal information such as your address and phone number on MySpace. You should also carefully think about whether or not you will use your real name, or a screen name that isn’t linked to your other accounts. Often, someone might use a screen name and think they are protected, however a simple Google search of that screen name can bring up other accounts. If your personal information is associated with that screen name, a predator could find you, so choose your screen name carefully. If needed, create a screen name solely for your MySpace account.

The second area to take into consideration when using MySpace is in regards to the people who contact you and would like to be added as your friend. People are not always honest, and you can never be sure that the person contacting you on MySpace is who they say they are. Predators are practiced at creating screen names and talking to people the way they think their target will respond best. If you don’t know someone, or don’t trust the behavior of a recently added friend, report the incident and delete or block them. MySpace is a great social networking tool and can be used to keep in touch with friends and family, but if not used safely it can have devastating consequences. Always be cautious and report any suspicious activity to MySpace immediately.

When creating YouTube videos, whether for fun or marketing purposes, timing is of the essence. If your video is too long, you run the risk of having viewers click off your video before you get to your main selling point. Use comedy and create an entertaining video and keep its length between 1 and 2 minutes. This will help make certain that viewers continue to watch your video in its entirety without losing interest or becoming bored. You’d be surprised how many people click on a video, then after it downloads and begins to play, immediately glance at the time frame of the video. If the video is extremely long, they will click it off and choose another video. Keeping it short and funny is key to getting plenty of viewers as well as subscribers.

Getting views to your YouTube video is of the utmost importance, and it doesn’t matter what type of video you’ve created. If no one sees your video, your purpose is defeated. One of the most important steps that you can take to increase views to your video is to choose keywords and tag your video with those words. This will ensure that when people are searching for content, your video will return in their search results. Finally, always remember to put your blog or website address on your YouTube videos. This will increase the amount of traffic that comes back to your sites and is key to your YouTube marketing strategy’s effectiveness.