There are a number of ways to share files over the internet, over a number of different networks and technologies. Gnutella and Napster are two examples of different kinds of file-sharing programs: The first is decentralized; the other is centralized. In the centralized mode, which was the method that the original Napster was built upon, all files that existed and were available on the network were listed within a single file, located on a central service system (server computer) somewhere in the world. When a user wished to look up a song or other file, he or she would type the name of the file into their client (e.g. Napster client) and click ‘find'. The request would be sent to the central server; if found, the location of the file would be sent back to the user's computer and the user's P2P client would begin downloading the requested file from a fellow peer on the network.
The second type of P2P program used the decentralized structure; that is to say, the available material on the network is not stored in a central location. When a user searches for a particular piece of material using his or her decentralized P2P client, the client searches the lists of available files on other peers separately. That is, the client ‘approaches' a fellow peer, queries his list of files, and then moves on to the next peer if the appropriate file is not found. Once the appropriate file is found, the client strikes up a file-transfer of the requested material from the server-peer.
Of course, P2P programs are only one form of file-sharing on the internet (albeit, probably the most popular). There are also websites such as Youtube.com and Break.com: As stated on the introduction page, these websites feature original content and pirated content uploaded by users.
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