Locutus Preview Released

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Posted by ryuzaki0 on Sunday February 9, 2003 @07:16PM from the borg-nanoprobes dept.

An anonymous reader writes "FreeNet's Ian Clarke has released the preview version of his latest P2P endeavor Locutus. Aimed at the corporate world, Locutus adds encryption to the mix - new for a P2P client - to secure files traded across the network as well as the ability to scan within text files to improve search results. Locutus Lite is the free version for those who are more concerned with trading movies and tunes. Locutus Enterprise is the pay version that Clarke hopes to lure corporations to shell out money for (for secure trading of research and other documents). Those interested in trying the preview can download it here."

24 of 260 comments (clear)

simpler solution for trading research by macshune · 2003-02-09 19:17 · Score: 4, Insightful

it's called e-mail with PGP.
who would pay for this? by Anonymous Coward · 2003-02-09 19:19 · Score: 5, Insightful

Seriously, why would anyone buy another application when they already have http and ftp sites, e-mail, etc? Most "research" isn't widely in demand enough to warrant the distribution model of p2p.
Good plan by Anonymous Coward · 2003-02-09 19:22 · Score: 5, Funny

That's the way to guarantee real-world corporate interest, all right - name it after a lame geeky Star Trek reference.

And not even old series Star Trek that some of the upper management might at least feel nostalgia for.
1. Re:Good plan by edhall · 2003-02-09 21:29 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  It's Latin for "speak." Look up the English word "locution" (since I doubt most folks on this list have a Latin dictionary) and see.
  
  -Ed
Microsoft.. by anubi · 2003-02-09 19:26 · Score: 5, Interesting

I think this is one of the things that peeve me so much about their "improvements"... from the Locutus site mentioned...
The application is only 400k in size, but many users will notice that the download is over 20MB. This is because Locutus relies on Microsoft's .NET framework, and if a user doesn't have .NET they will automatically download a version of the installer that does.
Damm!
Locutus does look nifty though in that the files can be shared encrypted.. I take it that one must pass muster to even look at the filenames though.. otherwise what difference is it from sharing files already encrypted with pgp or similar...

--
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]
1. Re:Microsoft.. by Forgotten · 2003-02-09 19:28 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Well, that explains the name.
2. Re:Microsoft.. by MisterFancypants · 2003-02-09 19:57 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  Here we are, facing a world where bandwidth is at a premium, and viral infections are running rampant, and we code some application that takes 20 MEGAbytes of loader to transfer a 400K File? C'mon! Is there any common sense left in programming any more?
  Just like the ~20 megabytes you need if you download a Java application. Its called a runtime environment. It consists of the virtual machine that runs .NET code, plus all the APIs/libraries that go along with such. It is a one time download and then you can run any .NET application. Future versions of Windows will have the .NET framework pre-installed.
  All in all you're making a whole lot of noise for nothing. This is absolutely no different than the "bloat" one has to endure to download Perl if one wants to run Perl scripts, Python for Python scripts, or the Java Runtime Environment for Java programs. As with all of those situations it either a one time download, or no worries at all if it is preinstalled in the OS (which will be the case for .NET moving forward). The only difference is this is Microsoft, so you're quick to bash them because you're an ignorant asshole.
3. Re:Microsoft.. by Jugalator · 2003-02-09 22:51 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Actually, the Borg could have a far worse destiny than being controlled by Bill Gates. Read on... :-)
  
  The Microsoft Borg
  
  (Picard) "Mr. LaForge, have you had any success with your attempts at finding a weakness in the Borg? And Mr. Data, have you been able to access their command pathways?"
  
  (Geordi)"Yes, Captain. In fact, we found the answer by searching through our archives on late Twentieth-century computing technology." (Geordi presses a key, and a logo appears on the computer screen.)
  
  (Riker looks puzzled.) "What the hell is 'Microsoft'?" (Data turns to answer.) "Allow me to explain. We will send this program, for some reason called 'Windows', through the Borg command pathways. Once inside their root command unit,it will begin consuming system resources at an unstoppable rate."
  
  (Picard) "But the Borg have the ability to adapt. Won't they alter their processing systems to increase their storage capacity?"
  
  (Data) "Yes, Captain. But when 'Windows' detects this, it creates a new version of itself known as an 'upgrade'. The use of resources increases exponentially with each iteration. The Borg will not be able to adapt quickly enough. Eventually all of their processing ability will be taken over and none will be available for their normal operational functions."
  
  (Picard) "Excellent work. This is even better than that 'unsolvable geometric shape' idea." .. . . 15 Minutes Later . . .
  
  (Data) "Captain, We have successfully installed the 'Windows' in the command unit and as expected it immediately consumed 85% of all resources. We however have not received any confirmation of the expected 'upgrade'."
  
  (Geordi) "Our scanners have picked up an increase in Borg storage and CPU capacity to compensate, but we still have no indication of an 'upgrade' to compensate for their increase."
  
  (Picard) "Data, scan the history banks again and determine if there is something we have missed."
  
  (Data) "Sir, I believe there is a reason for the failure in the 'upgrade'. Apparently the Borg have circumvented that part of the plan by not sending in their registration cards.
  
  (Riker) "Captain we have no choice. Requesting permission to begin emergency escape sequence 3F . . ."
  
  (Geordi, excited) "Wait, Captain I just detected their CPU capacity has suddenly dropped to 0% !"
  
  (Picard) "Data, what do your scanners show?"
  
  (Data) "Apparently the Borg have found the internal 'Windows' module named 'Solitaire' and it has used up all the CPU capacity."
  
  (Picard) "Let's wait and see how long this 'solitaire' can reduce their functionality." .. . . Two Hours Pass . . .
  
  (Riker) "Geordi, what's the status of the Borg?"
  
  (Geordi) "As expected the Borg are attempting to re-engineer to compensate for increased CPU and storage demands, but each time they successfully increase resources I have set up our closest deep space monitor beacon to transmit more 'Windows' modules from something called the 'Microsoft fun-pack'.
  
  (Picard) "How much time will that buy us?"
  
  (Data) "Current Borg solution rates allow me to predict an interest time span of 6 more hours."
  
  (Geordi) "Captain, another vessel has entered our sector."
  
  (Picard) "Identify."
  
  (Data) "It appears to have markings very similar to the 'Microsoft' logo."
  
  (Over the speakers) "THIS IS ADMIRAL BILL GATES OF THE MICROSOFT FLAGSHIP 'MONOPOLY'. WE HAVE POSITIVE CONFIRMATION OF UNREGISTERED SOFTWARE IN THIS SECTOR. SURREDER ALL ASSETS AND WE CAN AVOID ANY TROUBLE. YOU HAVE 10 SECONDS."
  
  (Data) "The alien ship has just opened its forward hatches and released thousands of humanoid shaped objects."
  
  (Picard) "Magnify forward viewer on the alien craft."
  
  (Riker) "Good God, Captain! Those are humans floating straight toward the Borg ship with no life support suits! How can they survive the tortures of deep space?!"
  
  (Data) "I don't believe that those are humans,sir. If you will look closer I believe you will see that they are carrying something recognized by Twenty-first Century man as doe skin leather briefcases, and they are wearing Armani suits."
  
  (Riker and Picard together, horrified) "Lawyers!!"
  
  (Geordi) "It can't be. All the Lawyers were rounded up and sent hurtling into the sun in 2017 during the Great Awakening."
  
  (Data) "True, but apparently some must have survived."
  
  (Riker) "They have surrounded the Borg ship and are covering it with all types of papers."
  
  (Data) "I believe that is known in ancient vernacular as 'red tape'. It often proves fatal."
  
  (Riker) "They're tearing the Borg to pieces!"
  
  (Picard) "Turn off the monitors. I can't stand to watch, not even the Borg deserve that.
  
  --
  Beware: In C++, your friends can see your privates!
If it's on slashdot... by Velocity4 · 2003-02-09 19:26 · Score: 4, Funny

Hey, If it's on slashdot, think how many geeks will be using it. And what do geeks have? Yes, they have it all. Warez, Mp3s, and.. yes, that too.

I'm checking it out. Are you?

+No spyware, woohoo! I would like it if it could hack into the kazaa network thought.
Locutus Preview? by dupper · 2003-02-09 19:27 · Score: 4, Funny

Q Who?
(Score:-1, Trekkie/Obscure)
What's wrong with other tools? by oingoboingo · 2003-02-09 19:28 · Score: 5, Interesting

Locutus Enterprise is the pay version that Clarke hopes to lure corporations to shell out money for (for secure trading of research and other documents).

Maybe I'm missing a point somewhere here...what's wrong with centralised file/document servers, or groupware like Notes, GroupWise or Exchange for sharing documents and research within a company? Why P2P? Will we look back at these stories in a couple of years and think the same way about them as we now do with stories about 'Java applications storming the desktop', 'Push applications redefining the way we work on the net', or 'Debian releases new version before 2025'?
Another 20MB. by $$$$$exyGal · 2003-02-09 19:29 · Score: 4, Funny

The application is only 400k in size, but many users will notice that the download is over 20MB. This is because Locutus relies on Microsoft's .NET framework, and if a user doesn't have .NET they will automatically download a version of the installer that does.
For some reason, that paragraph really cracked me up...

--naked

--
Very popular slashdot journal for adul
1. Re:Another 20MB. by gutier · 2003-02-09 19:47 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  I for one am extremely happy with the .NET framework. It is a comprehensive box of functionality that all .NET applications can make use of. Many useful applications I've written in .NET have been under 200K in size. Comparable programs I've written in Linux are all over 200K in size. This is after having to deal with the incredible mash of libraries that simply don't work well together. Why? Well, how about the amazing number of reimplementations of method pointers, having to deal with C++ libraries and C libraries and woes arising thereof, exceptions in some libraries and return codes in others, all different kinds of naming conventions and the bazillion mappings of this over that.
  
  I've found that programming in .NET is actually a lot like programming in Python (a nice language and a clean, integrated box of functionality, and NOT like Perl/CPAN with for all the same Linux-related reasons again ... ). Given .NET's intended domain (which is Windows software running on Windows), it is very well done.
  
  Let's give up the religious dogma, emotional outbursts and reactivity, and evaluate it objectively. Objective evaluation of a complete situation is what they really tried to teach you in college.
2. Re:Another 20MB. by Forgotten · 2003-02-09 20:19 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Well, there's always another level to a complete appraisal. Many people object to .Net because promulgating it furthers goals of Microsoft's which they object to. That's a perfectly reasonably objection, and by that yardstick your observation that it works well for some purposes is largely irrelevant.
  Don't assume that mere dogma underlies every opinion opposed to yours.
Locutus Enterprise by Xpilot · 2003-02-09 19:34 · Score: 4, Funny

Didn't Locutus try to destroy Enterprise? And Enterprise tried to destroy Locutus too. Hrmmm... Sleep Data, sleep...

--
"Backups are for wimps. Real men upload their data to an FTP site and have everyone else mirror it." -- Linus Torvalds
Trademark... by po8 · 2003-02-09 19:45 · Score: 4, Informative

I hope Ian has gotten permission to use the name Locutus, which is, no surprise, a trademark of Paramount. Info below.

(BTW, why does Slashdot not allow <pre> tags but allow text-only postings and the obvious <tt>...<br> thing? What a pain.)

Word Mark LOCUTUS Goods and Services IC 028. US 022. G & S: toys; namely, action figures and accessories therefor, poseable figures, dolls. FIRST USE: 19930600. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19930600 Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING Serial Number 74462053 Filing Date November 12, 1993 Published for Opposition August 23, 1994 Registration Number 1862622 Registration Date November 15, 1994 Owner (REGISTRANT) PARAMOUNT PICTURES CORPORATION CORPORATION DELAWARE 5555 Melrose Avenue Los Angeles CALIFORNIA 900383197 Type of Mark TRADEMARK Register PRINCIPAL Affidavit Text SECT 15. SECT 8 (6-YR). Live/Dead Indicator LIVE
1. Re:Trademark... by MisterFancypants · 2003-02-09 20:00 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  Goods and Services IC 028. US 022. G & S: toys; namely, action figures and accessories therefor, poseable figures, dolls.
  I don't think this software qualifies as a toy, action figure, poseable figure or a doll. You do understand how trademarks work, don't you?
2. Re:Trademark... by ortholattice · 2003-02-09 22:09 · Score: 4, Interesting
  
  With an obviously invented name like "Locutus"...
  It is a Latin word. I believe "locutus" is the perfect participle of the Latin loqui ("to speak"), so it would mean "having spoken". So for the Star Trek character, it is suggests a spokesman for the Borg. For the "Locutus" software product, which I don't think is a "a toy, action figure, poseable figure or a doll," it might be suggestive of a source of information.
Not the first p2p with encryption. by Anonymous Coward · 2003-02-09 20:07 · Score: 4, Informative

I think the first p2p client with an encryption feature was filetopia.

www.filetopia.com
23Meg memory footprint by tandr · 2003-02-09 20:12 · Score: 4, Interesting

... for application that supposed to be in background??? I read it as not only Java has memory footprint problems, but .NET based ones too. :(
.NET? Secure? by blumpy · 2003-02-09 20:18 · Score: 4, Funny

>Locutus differs from most other P2P networks on several levels, most prominently its focus on security....The application is only 400k in size, but many users will notice that the download is over 20MB. This is because Locutus relies on Microsoft's .NET framework, and if a user doesn't have .NET they will automatically download a version of the installer that does.

Hmm... focus on security, yet uses .NET? I don't understand....
Oh My God! This is so cool... by MoThugz · 2003-02-09 20:34 · Score: 4, Funny

it's like shared folders on a windows network... but get this... it's *encrypted*!!! Therefore making it suitable for me to use in my Department of Homeland Security office... Cool huh?

Furthermore, it uses *encryption*... meaning it is illegal for export outside the great US of A... thus those bad terrorists can't get it... naaa... naaa... naaa... naaa... naaaaaaaa!

--
Welley Corporation - SLM Scammers
Re:Bah, it doesnt run on linux. by SealBeater · 2003-02-09 22:21 · Score: 4, Informative

From the FAQ:

3.2 I am a Linux/Mac user, is there is version of Locutus for me? .Net was developed by Microsoft, and at the time of writing is only available for Windows, however .Net has been embraced by some in the Linux community who are working on Open Source versions of .Net such as Mono. Once finished, these will allow Locutus to run on non-Microsoft operating systems (we are Linux geeks too - so we won't waste any time once Mono comes of age).

--
-- Its survival of the fittest...and we got the fucking guns!!!
Groove by rbeattie · 2003-02-09 22:51 · Score: 4, Informative

150+ posts and no one's mentioned Groove? Do you people live in a frigin' vacuum?

Groove is a company founded by Ray Ozzie, the creator of Lotus Notes. The Groove Workspace is a hyper-secure P2P application made for business and government use. It has several "tools" that you can use within the application like chat, file-sharing, calendaring, custom forms, etc. All communication between the P2P clients is encrypted as well as the files themselves. Once you import a file into Groove to be shared, it's encrypted automatically.

The general theory behind the application is that you can't rely on the wires to be secure, ever. So all the data and communication between peers is encrypted automatically without any user intervention needed.

The reason you should think this app is cool is because it's an easy way to set up super-secure filesharing between peers whether on a local network or across the internet. It's not open file sharing like Gnutella, but it's more like having a virtual secure file server just for you and the peers you invite into your workspace.

The reason you should hate this app is because not only is Groove in bed with Microsoft (M$ has invested millions and only runs on Windows) but this app is also being used by the new Office of Information Awareness, i.e. Big Brother.

-Russ

--
Me