True P2P File Sharing Via Twitter: FileTwt
FileTwt is a new service that enables file transfers using Twitter, from presentations and rich text documents to ebooks and music files.
At the moment, the UI is a bit clunky and the file sizes are capped at 20MB, but the service presents an exciting opportunity nevertheless. Once mobile capabilities are introduced, FileTwt would allow more freedom for the 9-to-5ers among us. And it already allows for mass sharing (either via public streams or multiple-recipient DMs) of files, which is awesome news for self-marketing musicians, who desperately need better online promotional tools.
At the moment, there are a couple too many clicks and redirects to make the process completely efficient. Sending files from the web interface isn't too complicated, but downloading sent files takes a few steps: The user is taken to the RapidShare site, then to a new page for the specific file download. He then must wait 30 seconds (for non account-holders) to begin downloading the file.
Here's an initial test DM:
Here's the FileTwt page for the download:
Redirect! The adventure continues at RapidShare's site:
But RapidShare wants you to consider a paid account for a few seconds:
Finally: The download.
Filetwt is now uploading files only to RapidShare. They plan to add more hosts, namely DepositFiles, FileFactory, and MegaUpload, in about one week.
The 20MB file size limit has been instated to allow the startup to remain profitable, since any significant volume of traffic will mean more server bandwidth. Premium accounts for larger file shares will be introduced in the event that a significant number of users demonstrate a demand for increased bandwidth usage, according to company representative Ankit Sakhuja.
"We see Filetwt as more of a document sharing tool," he wrote in an email Sunday afternoon. "The private share option was introduced specifically for that purpose."
He noted that site developers are also working on a better user interface, a progress bar for uploads, and a virus scan, among other features.
As with any peer-to-peer file-sharing service, copyright infringement and piracy are immediately raised as primary concerns. The site states, "It is our policy to respond to notices of alleged infringement that comply with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act," no other information is given. Particularly for direct messages, how would FileTwt receive notice of illegally distributed files? Unlike the downloads that occur on larger P2P or torrent-sharing sites, these transactions are primarily going to be one-to-one or one-to-a-select few.
However, RapidShare has been successfully sued in a German court in 2007 over copyright infringement, specifically for MP3s. Although the DMCA Safe Harbor clause might prevent RapidShare and similar file-hosting companies from prosecution in the U.S., it certainly makes no exception for end users. Ultimately, users are given the standard "enter at your own risk" caveats with little available information on exactly how illegal one-to-one MP3 sharing is or what the consequences (or likelihood of getting caught and being prosecuted) are.
Finally, we've concluded through our own testing of the service that smartphones and other mobile devices do not handle FileTwt well. But of course, FileTwt is working on mobile apps, which Sakhuja promises will be "one-of-a-kind."
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I fail to see how server bandwidth is an issue when they're not actually hosting any files.
Seems to me that, as far as recipients are concerned, this is just a tinyurl clone that only links to rapidshare.
http://www.multiupload.com is definitely much more interesting. No limits, and many more filehosts.
The server bandwidth plays an issue when uploading files as well. Imagine 20 people uploading movies at one time. It would crash the server!
Other sites such as FileTwt only offer up to 10 MB, so FileTwt is definitely a plus. I look forward to Version 2.
Yammer may not have the market share, but this feature is built-in. With its privacy protections, you may find it better for corporate life. My small group of eight has found it very useful; especially for sharing files - no email list maintenance.
If you don't use Bittorrent, then this is perfect for you.
Guys! I promise a very unique ver.2 . This website is made specially to cater the twitter community , and if anybody has doubts on my capabilities , uploadjockey.com under my ownership reached the Alexa Rank of 2500. So , i know everything about file-sharing , Trust Me.
If there is any feature you would like to recommend , feel free to email your feedback through the website itself. We will look into it , if we are not already we working on it.
Cheers!
This is quite interesting to use.
I guess.
This is interesting, but *it's not P2P*. RapidShare has nothing to do with P2P, nor does this app. Seriously guys? The site says "file sharing" -- they upload files to servers for you to share. There's no sharing directly between peers.
OK, this headline is starting to get to me, especially because LittleShoot can actually link P2P files on Twitter while this can't. FileTwt is something you could code up in a weekend. Real P2P=hard. FileTwt=easy.
Adam,
Another case of "I should have thought of that!"? Keep in mind that FileTwt has been launched for 3 days and I think this is the real deal. P2P - yes it's hard, so why not think of something creative and unique? I think they have something here.
LOL at adam. Jealousy at its best!
how is this P2P if this is just linking to rapidshare?
I think if you read closely N.R. There is a version 2 coming out shortly. More mirrors, more features, better product.
Rapidshare? Really? And you'd have to give them your Twitter password? Odd.
Also, the idea isn't really that new: http://www.p2p-blog.com/item-482.html
I agree with Adam. Not P2P. If it was P2P, no one would worry about bandwidth, now would they ?
very friendly service....
@Ben You seem to have skirted my whole point -- that this has nothing to do with P2P and as such is barely news. I'm not thinking "I should have thought of that" at all -- I've thought of doing and am doing what this article is supposedly about, whereas FileTwt is not.
Looks like they are getting rid of rapidshare.
http://www.filetwt.com/blog/?p=7
http://THo.st is much better
This is exciting. More convenient for twitter users.
Another Update guys!
We'll be launching FileTwt Version 2.0 Today :D
Direct downloads from FileTwt servers, comments, ratings, new download page and lots more! :D
Not really sure what I think of this system yet, I will have to use it more and see how it will fit into my twitter life. http://www.zeropaid.com/news/86302/filetwt-file-sharing-on-twitter/