Amazon.co.uk Review
A collection of 19 essays,
Peer-To-Peer: Harnessing the Power of Disruptive Technologies looks at different aspects of the potential of peer-to-peer computer technology.
Peer-to-peer seems dangerous because it is, essentially, hugely democratic. All subversion starts with a conversation and peer-to-peer, "the next great thing for the Internet" according to Web guru Lawrence Lessig, facilitates direct communication even more so than the first wave of Internet technologies. Just as those first wave technologies had a number of established constituencies worried about the demonic effects of the Web so peer-to-peer seems to be the new bugbear. The fears are, again, reminiscent of those that we heard before business found out how to fully exploit the potential of the Web and are tinged, often, with a frisson of excitement: peer-to-peer offers a new chance for a new wave of entrepreneurs if they can bring themselves to understand the technology, make it understandable to others, and give it succour in a business context.
Chapters in Andy Oram's invigorating collection by key players, such as Gene Kan of Gnutella, Dan Bricklin cocreator of Visicalc, Tim O'Reilly the publisher and an ever useful history lesson from Nelson Minar and Marc Hedlund, are just some of the highlights from an essential read. --Mark Thwaite
Review
'Provides an interesting insight in to the world of P2P;, the projects currently tearing up the ;net and the future of the technology. Initial repetition aside, this is a well thought out and useful book which is definitely worth reading.- Linux Format, October 2001 'All in all a typical well-presented O'Reilly package - nice paper, good hardback binding and excellent content.' - Lindsay Marshall, news@UK, June 2001 'Essential reading for budding computer scientists and leaders of oppressive regimes' Computer Shopper, June 2001 'I have used this much space on this particular book because it is currently the best text I have seen that gives a wide introduction to P2P technologies and trends, and there is absolutely no question that infosec practitioners will have to understand this subject.' Information Security Bulletin, May 2001 (2 page review)
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