More file sharing fear being spread

[Hiryu]

It was just on the local news. 2 people which wish to remain unidetified went to some sight to get free music downloads then, later recieved snail mail papers demanding payment for illegal downloading. They showed the sight only briefly. It said "Karoo" or "Kangaroo v3.0". Anyone ever heard of it? I wonder if it's a trap. It must be for the RIAA to have found out about who is downloading. I have a few songs that I've downloaded in the past and have never recieved even one warning from anyone. I know a lot of people do it but, I myself don't go to those file sharing sites. If I'm going to pay anything, I may as well pay it at the store instead of going through all that registration hassle. What are your thoughts on this?

[Storm_Cat]

My thoughts on this are:

A lot of peeps do it, not just music, but movies, pictures, software, etc., ... but at the end of the day it's still illegal, so most don't talk about it ... or shouldn't.

[amk714]

People are going to share files regardless of what the entertainment industry does. Prosecuting them isn't the answer. Go here to find out more about the issue: http://www.eff.org/share/

[MrMacphisto]

EFF... that's a good organization. If I had the cash, I'd donate to them.

Anyway, use IRC. It's the only file-sharing technology that is literally protected by law. You can't be fined or arrested for using it, and it's free. There are lots of good things you can find on it....

[kurchatovium]

EFF is indeed a great place. They have a freeware program to help keep you anonymous on the net too. I believe it is called TOR.

The problem with file sharing is basically if you share files you will inevitably get viruses, trojans, worms, and spyware. Plus it is illegal. So basically don't do it. IMHO

[MrMacphisto]

Not true, kurch... It just takes a little self-education to know what to look for. I've dealt with far fewer viral problems on IRC than I used to when I used Kazaa.

On a related noted, Rhapsody is a good pay service where you can listen to music streams. It's a heck of a lot cheaper than ITunes.

[amk714]

Well, it's about time one of my links got some positive press. Thanks for the support, guys. :D

[kurchatovium]

Well perhaps you are better at figuring out what is safe and what is not then I am Mr. Macphisto but to me it was just not worth the risk. Of course I am an insanely cautious person as well. :D :D :p

Actually I heard about EFF amk714 on the G4TV show "Attack Of The Show". Actually interviewed the guy that created the site.

[Goodieluver]

Tech, its illigal to share, not to download

I remember figures saying u may be targeted if you are sharin over 6,000 files because thats considered a bigtime sharer

[MrMacphisto]

Hey, whatever floats your boat. There are certain risks I don't take either, like getting married... :devil2:

[kurchatovium]

Ahhhh indeed that can be a fate worse than even the most vicious virus if one is not careful. ;) LMAO

[amk714]

Tech, its illigal to share, not to download

I remember figures saying u may be targeted if you are sharin over 6,000 files because thats considered a bigtime sharer

True, but sometimes people who have only downloaded a few files without intending to share them forget to turn off the file-sharing option in the program they're using. Some of them have been caught and fined by the RIAA, including children. That's why it's not fair to punish everyone who shares files. A 12-year-old girl who downloads some TV theme songs for her listening pleasure (I remember reading about such an incident) is just as vulnerable to the RIAA's policing as a guy who goes into movie theaters, films newly released flicks on his digital camera, and makes and distributes files of the pictures to the public. The difference is that the guy is usually able to avoid prosecution, and the girl is the one who gets hurt.

[Storm_Cat]

.... use IRC. It's the only file-sharing technology that is literally protected by law. You can't be fined or arrested for using it, and it's free. There are lots of good things you can find on it....

Really ... ?? Tell me more ... like a link to it? :D

eMule's been the monkey on my back ... !!

[Storm_Cat]

Tech, its illigal to share, not to download

I remember figures saying u may be targeted if you are sharin over 6,000 files because thats considered a bigtime sharer

*checks external "get-away" hard drive* :D

nope ... I'm good ... only 579 ... !!

[Storm_Cat]

EFF is indeed a great place. They have a freeware program to help keep you anonymous on the net too. I believe it is called TOR.

I've always been curious about these types of programs. What are they, some sort of IP address scrambler?


The problem with file sharing is basically if you share files you will inevitably get viruses, trojans, worms, and spyware. Plus it is illegal. So basically don't do it. IMHO

With good Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware software that you keep updated, there shouldn't be a prob. I've not had any.

[kcantankerous]

darn it and I wanted to start a thread on file sharing.

[Hiryu]

Yeah... Don't ya just hate it when someone beats ya to a topic? :rolleyes:

EDIT: The main reason I don't download from all of the big name sites isn't just not wanting to pay but, also because places like that are loaded with spyware and having been a victim of password theft in the past I am now paranoid about stuff like that. The few songs that I do have on the HD, I found by doing extensive searches or just by luck. I would much rather go to some non ftp site that just hosts hard to find music. If it's something next to impossible to locate or a variation of an album you already payed for and own then, I see nothing wrong with downloading it. I just bought a few CD's recently and realized afterward that they were the edited versions! Even though it's my fault for not paying closer attention, the "Edited Version" lables should have been larger! Now I want the unedited versions and I don't feel that I should have to pay. :disgust:

[Storm_Cat]

Here is the link for the TOR programme:

http://tor.eff.org/