Condi:FAQ
From Freehackers
This page tries to answer to most common questions regarding Condi.
Contents |
[edit] Protocol
[edit] Is this Peer-2-peer (P2P) ?
No. The purpose of peer 2 peer is to have as much people as possible sharing files in order to
- have as much possible files on the network
- have quick download
- a file shared by someone can still be available when the person leave the network.
- you never know what you download (fake, empty files, illegal stuff)
On the contrary, condi is focusing on
- Fewer files, but the quality is enhanced because you only connect to trusted friends.
- You can't download from a friend who is not connected, but you know which files he shares, so you can search and schedule a download which will start as soon as he connects.
From a technical point of view, p2p networks use techniques such as file slicing, and connection from different sources to speed download. There's no such thing (yet?:-) in condi.
[edit] Is this a centralised network, such as client/server ?
Neither. Every computer is connected to a given number of others, and can upload/download from/to several of them at the same time.
In one way, it's even less centralised than some p2p network, such as edonkey, when you need to connect to a central server to do the search requests. (only then will you connect as 'p2p\' to actually transfer the data).
All VOIP software (skype for example) also require a central server to bring people in touch. (and also to do some checks, record some data about you, ..)
With condi, there's no such central place. The drawback is that you need to work a little to get in touch with your friends (exchange credentials). Once settled, nothing more to do, and you can share whatever you want, and nobody can know what you share.
[edit] So, what is it then ?
It clearly is closer to so-called friend-to-friend network, although no such application has fulfilled our needs until now. Condi can clearly be categorized as a darknet, as well. Although Condi is a lot simpler (software code, and from a user point of view) than for example freenet or WASTE.
[edit] What do you think of program XXX ?
retroshare : there's a core a separate GUI, difficult to use. Dependencies are a nightmare (as of beginning of 2008). Once (finally) installed, the application is not working. (moreover you need to log in..?)
allpeers : the documents are moved all around by a company. We dont like this idea.
WASTE : there doesn't seem to be any official, stable release since AOL stopped working on it.
Direct connect : despite its name, there'a a central hub.
CSpace : there's a server to handle accounts. Moreover the latest news is from october 2006.
Gnunet : there's f2f, and graphical interfaces (qt,gtk), but all of that are options, not central.
Freenet : This is not an application, it's a concept, the specification/implementation is still being discussed.
anonshare : is not really free, there is no release, and the last commit is from april 2007.
Turtle f2f : We tried the software (late 2007). It was a mess and wouldn't work. This is more a researchers toy than a real application. As an example, the only link to get the source code on http://www.turtle4privacy.org/new/en_install.html is dead. The current implementation makes the whole thing a nightmare : The application is separated in a core and a GUI, which makes the use difficult for non-technical users. The core is actually a patch for gift, and the GUI a patch for appolon