>Besides the policing issues that have already been touched >on, the main problem potential I see would be one of >reliability. I try to limit my downloading to known, stable >sites such as Avsim or I go directly to the authors web site >where available. Especially for any kind of executable >software. Doing this doesn't guarantee I won't ever get a >hacked or virus infected file, but it does limit the >opportunities. When people start swapping files back and >forth between each other, you have no way of knowing what >you're going to get. Texture bitmaps and stuff like that >are OK, but I wouldn't trust getting much else from an >unknown source. >>Mike Stone Not to mention that when an author, I.E. Mike hear, (Sorry) writes in his readmes, "may not be redistributed blah blah,"(if he does) then that means sharing his files on such a device is wrong.

Yes he means exactly that. The author chooses a way of distribution and distributing by any other means is not allowed.Filesharing over a network like that is no different from burning a CD and walking over to the other person's computer to install it (though more practical if (s)he lives more than a block away).There are still major problems with the potential for piracy.No system is foolproof, as Napster and sons showed quite clearly. I think this system will very quickly be used to exchange pirated copies of just about anything (and not just FS related things), as well as the distribution of such other nasties like childporn etc..Such things can get the administrators of the system in jail, so beware of what you're getting yourself into.

Agreed, except that I don't impose that condition.Mike Stone

Quick update. We have decided to cancel the beta at the moment. Although we had a great turn out for beta testers, and the technology works, and it works as we intended it too (including security and monitoring). But from what I have seen in the forums it doesn't merit any additional development time or cost.Thanks to all the volunteers and FSVC members.Happy Mother's day!http://www.fsgateway.com/images/frank.jpg