AllPeers
Encyclopedia
AllPeers was a free software
extension for the Mozilla Firefox
browser introduced in 2006.
On March 2, 2008, AllPeers announced the end of the service.
The extension allowed building a social network
and sharing files on a P2P
basis. It used a darknet style of peer-to-peer communication; files and information shared between users are only accessible as long as the users have each other on their respective access lists - their 'trusted private network'. AllPeers beta version was launched on August 24, 2006. It worked on Windows
, Linux
and Mac
, which, once downloaded, becomes a toolbar in Mozilla Firefox.
AllPeers used open source
BitTorrent technology to facilitate file transfer. The extension did not require any ports be opened. AllPeers encrypted its communication using standard protocols like SSL so as to protect the user against 3rd party intervention listening in.
At its beta launch AllPeers comprised 200,000 lines of C++
and JavaScript
code.
Although the AllPeers client was open sourced in March 2007, the server source remains closed. AllPeers claimed this was because the network must have a single, stable server instance to function reliably.
Free software
Free software, software libre or libre software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with restrictions that only ensure that further recipients can also do...
extension for the Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox is a free and open source web browser descended from the Mozilla Application Suite and managed by Mozilla Corporation. , Firefox is the second most widely used browser, with approximately 25% of worldwide usage share of web browsers...
browser introduced in 2006.
On March 2, 2008, AllPeers announced the end of the service.
The extension allowed building a social network
Social network
A social network is a social structure made up of individuals called "nodes", which are tied by one or more specific types of interdependency, such as friendship, kinship, common interest, financial exchange, dislike, sexual relationships, or relationships of beliefs, knowledge or prestige.Social...
and sharing files on a P2P
Peer-to-peer
Peer-to-peer computing or networking is a distributed application architecture that partitions tasks or workloads among peers. Peers are equally privileged, equipotent participants in the application...
basis. It used a darknet style of peer-to-peer communication; files and information shared between users are only accessible as long as the users have each other on their respective access lists - their 'trusted private network'. AllPeers beta version was launched on August 24, 2006. It worked on Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
, Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
and Mac
Mac OS
Mac OS is a series of graphical user interface-based operating systems developed by Apple Inc. for their Macintosh line of computer systems. The Macintosh user experience is credited with popularizing the graphical user interface...
, which, once downloaded, becomes a toolbar in Mozilla Firefox.
AllPeers used open source
Open source
The term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...
BitTorrent technology to facilitate file transfer. The extension did not require any ports be opened. AllPeers encrypted its communication using standard protocols like SSL so as to protect the user against 3rd party intervention listening in.
At its beta launch AllPeers comprised 200,000 lines of C++
C++
C++ is a statically typed, free-form, multi-paradigm, compiled, general-purpose programming language. It is regarded as an intermediate-level language, as it comprises a combination of both high-level and low-level language features. It was developed by Bjarne Stroustrup starting in 1979 at Bell...
and JavaScript
JavaScript
JavaScript is a prototype-based scripting language that is dynamic, weakly typed and has first-class functions. It is a multi-paradigm language, supporting object-oriented, imperative, and functional programming styles....
code.
Although the AllPeers client was open sourced in March 2007, the server source remains closed. AllPeers claimed this was because the network must have a single, stable server instance to function reliably.
See also
- BitTorrent
- List of Firefox extensions
- Mozilla FirefoxMozilla FirefoxMozilla Firefox is a free and open source web browser descended from the Mozilla Application Suite and managed by Mozilla Corporation. , Firefox is the second most widely used browser, with approximately 25% of worldwide usage share of web browsers...
- P2PPeer-to-peer file sharingP2P or Peer-to-peer file sharing allows users to download files such as music, movies, and games using a P2P software client that searches for other connected computers. The "peers" are computer systems connected to each other through internet. Thus, the only requirements for a computer to join...
External links
- AllPeers Website (no longer available)