BLOG: P2P

File sharing is simply sending a file from one computer to another over the internet or a shared network. P2P file sharing is peer-to-peer file sharing, which is when a friends, colleagues, associates, or even acquaintances share files over the internet. Files that can be shared are virtually limitless, just about anything can be shared. Commonly shared files include: movies, music, textbooks, software (e. g. Microsoft office, photoshop etc.). File sharing of copyrighted files is illegal. However it is often sometimes the only way people gain access to that information. Movies and music aren't as important academically but with universities becoming more technology centered it makes it difficult to people of low incomes to gain access. Fortunately, CUNY allows access for free to Microsoft Office for students for free. However colleges, CUNY schools included, charge an arm and a leg for textbooks often required and demanded by professors for big amounts of money. File sharing allows anyone to be able to gain access to online pdf versions of textbooks. This is part of the great side of file sharing. In the article by Eric Pfanner, Should Online Scofflaws Be Denied Web Access, Pfanner states that "the American Entertainment industry... accounts for the loss of $20 billion a year in sales." They are referring to piracy. Although file sharing in this sense hinders the profit of others many people still rely on movies sharing websites to watch recent movies.