So, I’ve been noticing that Lime Wire has started to … well, suck.
Most people don’t use P2P sharing programs like Lime Wire, and the creators of such packages tend to get into a lot of trouble. But, I have a unique situation and haven’t really found a solution for it yet, so … what do you think, The Internet?
Here’s my problem: Comcast.
Yep. Love their high-speed digital cable Internet access, but — and this is a serious issue — there are a lot of things they do to make life difficult for me. (Charging too much for Internet access is only the first of those sins.) For example, the most efficient, common and flat-out BEST way to download P2P is Bit Torrent, period. By using Bit Torrent downloads, you’re getting genuine P2P sharing and — theoretically — tremendous speeds. By downloading tiny aggregate pieces into a single file from multiple sources (the mo’ the bettah), the downloading and sharing process is fast, efficient and safe. (Unless, of course, you’re a “mooch” or “leech” and don’t share any files to be downloaded. In which case you’re going to either be hammered with incredibly slow download times or banned from Torrent streams altogether by IP address.)
However, Comcast has taken it upon itself to ensure that Bit Torrent files are screened at their equipment and slowed to a pre-28K modem crawl. In fact, it can take days — that’s literal 24-hour periods — to download a single Torrent.
Why?
Well, Comcast’s claim is that they’re doing it to prevent overloading their equipment. That is, by blocking the Torrent files to a crawling download snail’s pace, they can better “serve their customers” by not having excessive bandwidth consumed by Torrent downloading. In effect, they want to improve service by preventing the very thing most users want high-bandwidth Internet access for — up- and downloading files.
Go figure.
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March 10, 2008 at 9:32 pm
P2P Programs — Do You Use ‘Em?
[...] Lucas Nogueira wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptSo, I’ve been noticing that Lime Wire has started to … well, suck. Most people don’t use P2P sharing programs like Lime Wire, and the creators of such packages tend to get into a lot of trouble. But, I have a unique situation and haven’t really found a solution for it yet, so … what do you think, The Internet? Here’s my problem: Comcast. Yep. Love their high-speed digital cable Internet access, but — and this is a serious issue — there are a lot of things they do to make life difficult for me. (Charging too much for Internet access is only the first of those sins.) For example, the most efficient, common and flat-out BEST way to download P2P is Bit Torrent, period. By using Bit Torrent downloads, you’re getting genuine P2P sharing and — theoretically — tremendous speeds. By downloading tiny aggregate pieces into a single file from multiple sources […] [...]
March 11, 2008 at 7:12 am
Sherri Cornelius
Don’t you love it when people steal your content?
March 11, 2008 at 7:45 am
Dwight
I had heard about Comcast’s throttling, and of course it made me angry. But I didn’t have Comcast, so it wasn’t my problem.
Then I noticed that my AT&T broadband would work just fine until I turned on my Bittorrent application. Then iI’d lose carrier every six minutes. Every six minutes I was running down to the basement to reboot the DSL modem.
After 50 resets, Ol’ Dwight said, “Hmmmm. That’s odd.”
Google Google Google
Oh great! AT&T has employed a sniffer program to break the connection every time it sees an Azeurus or UTorrent client.
It’s going to take a class action lawsuit.
March 11, 2008 at 12:10 pm
DarcKnyt
Dwight — Yeah, but what legal leg do the classes in that class action suit have to stand on? For the most part, I can’t think of any LEGAL reason to use a Bit Torrent download except to pilfer plunder from the rich and powerful that want you to buy it rather than just have it. But, maybe I’m an ignoramus Pirate (ARRRRRRR!!) who just can’t think of a decent way to use technology. Maybe decency is so far beyond my conceptual abilities that the depraved is all I can envision and enact. So I’m evil.
But it IS frustrating, ain’t it? Looks like ALL the broadband providers are banding together to stop Bit Torrents from being used. And that’s just wrong. I wonder what the people uploading them are using?
Thanks for stopping by, too. It’s nice to have you — please feel free to come back anytime.
Sherrikins — Oh, I don’t look at that as theft. Especially since it just points back to me anyway. But I HATE when they get my name wrong. I mean, seriously — Lucas Nogueira?? WTF??
Love you, hon.
March 11, 2008 at 2:03 pm
DarcsFalcon
There are legit uses for the bittorrent thing. When I briefly joined that gaming site, they used bittorrents. I kept trying to d/l that game, which I’d paid for, and it took 2 days for it to d/l because of what Comcast does. So yeah, I do think there’s a legal leg to stand on, and to my knowledge, there is a class action lawsuit in progress against Comcast. It’s discrimination no matter how you slice it. If people are paying for the service, they should be able to use the service and not get punished for it with slower downloads. That’s why people pay for cable internet, because it’s supposed to be faster. If they slow you down to a 28k modem speed, might as well stick with a modem and screw Comcast for their ridiculously high rates.
LTY!
March 11, 2008 at 4:00 pm
DarcKnyt
LOML — Great point. I guess some pay sites, which provide access to downloads via Bit Torrent legally, are hit just as hard. I can’t imagine it’s all carriers, though, because Bit Torrent would fall out of favor quickly.
The fact is, you’re right — Comcast’s not legally responsible for my downloading pirated material. I am alone. They really don’t have the right to censure the avenues or the things that I download, and cooperating with authorities on investigations into such matters gets them off the hook.
I hope the suit breaks them financially. Or they cave and stop doing what they’re doing (which would benefit me more).
LTY2. KOAYPP.