An as-yet-unreleased Firefox extension that aims to turn the popular Web browser into a file-sharing tool is building considerable buzz in the blogosphere.
AllPeers, a company based in the U.K., is in the midst of developing a
peer-to-peer tool for the open-source browser, which it claims is "the
best thing to happen to Firefox...since Firefox." The software has yet
to be released, but the company says it will allow Web surfers to browse each other's hard drives and download files.
"AllPeers is a free extension which combines the strength of Firefox and the efficiency of BitTorrent to transform your favorite browser into a media sharing powerhouse," states the company's Web site.
The extension will be available "soon", according to the company,
which has posted screenshots on its Web site to show the tool's interface.
Over the last few weeks, interest in the extension has been building fast, with scores of blog postings about the AllPeers extension,
according to blog search engine Technorati.
Web browser developers have been working for months to add BitTorrent support into their products, noting that it has become a standard way to transfer large files such as open-source software packages. The file-sharing protocol is also extraordinarily popular, however, among surfers seeking free movies, games and movies.
Norwegian software company Opera already has released a test version of its browser with the P2P tool installed, and an independent open-source project called MozTorrent is working on its own Firefox plug-in.
With the explicit abilities of browsing other people's drives and sharing files directly from the browser, the AllPeers extension goes farther than previous projects.
U.S. blogger "B.D." was excited about the new extension, claiming that at the expense of its main rival, Microsoft's Internet Explorer, the extension could increase the number of people using Firefox,
"This is exciting news as it really moves Firefox into a realm that IE
can only dream of at the moment," the blogger said in a posting last week.
"By using a peer network of some sort, Firefox will exploit the
publicity surrounding this functionality which has the potential to multiply the number of people exposed to the Firefox application tremendously. This could be huge," he said.
Other bloggers agreed that this could increase Firefox market share. "It sounds like AllPeers gives us yet another reason to use Firefox," wrote blogger "JonnyGuru".
Some bloggers were more skeptical about the new extension. Mike Linksvayer said he was reluctant to write about a software that was not yet available, as it "could be vaporware." Another blogger warned that being associated with peer-to-peer file sharing could damage the open-source browser's reputation.
"I'm afraid the 'peers' or 'P2P' moniker will end up sullying Firefox's name to those out there not in the know," said the blogger, who describes himself as a golfing tech-geek.
It's not just English-speaking bloggers that are interested in the new Firefox extension. Blogs in a number of other languages, including Chinese, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish, also have mentioned the AllPeers extension.
Ingrid Marson reported for ZDNet UK. CNET News.com staff writer John Borland also contributed to this report.
Sorry, but I've seen the software running and it's really great.
The big picture: Firefox will be dominant soon due to applications running on it. Several applications is being written specific to Firefox on any countries.
This is what the free market does for you (aside from illegal file swapping). Open source software that anyone can write for without the interference of the Big Brother.
Our current system is akin to that of the old USSR. Why create anything when the state will just take it away? In our case The Big Brother will take your idea and adjust their OS so your stuff will not work.
Is it any surprise the the tech sector started to tank when the soon to be president announced he would not aggressively pursue the Federal antitrust case against our modern day Rockefeller.
The pent up potential is enormous. This is the place investment bankers should be looking for the next boom cycle. The **** seems to be leaking, now if only those Wall Street sheep would see it, support for the current monopoly would evaporate over night.
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How many people does AllPeers have on their payroll going around generating artificial buzz for their as-yet nonexisttant product?
Even reputable sites (such as C|Net) have fallen victim to this ploy and are serving as the main marketing machine for AllPeers.
The big picture: Firefox will be dominant soon due to applications running on it. Several applications is being written specific to Firefox on any countries.
I tested a product and it has a huge potnetial for windows system.
Windows Explorer is like a P2P program.
But program needs more tuning and optimization.
It is alpha version...altough.
Seeing is better than talk :-)
Our current system is akin to that of the old USSR. Why create anything when the state will just take it away? In our case The Big Brother will take your idea and adjust their OS so your stuff will not work.
Is it any surprise the the tech sector started to tank when the soon to be president announced he would not aggressively pursue the Federal antitrust case against our modern day Rockefeller.
The pent up potential is enormous. This is the place investment bankers should be looking for the next boom cycle. The **** seems to be leaking, now if only those Wall Street sheep would see it, support for the current monopoly would evaporate over night.
The free market, ain't it grand!