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43 Million Americans Use P2P Software

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the for-shame dept.

robl writes "If the NYTimes article is correct then somewhere around 1 in 6 Americans apparently are unindicted felons. In the eyes of the public file swapping is as morally wrong as speeding on the NJ Turnpike. The rest of the article talks about the RIAA's carrot/stick/education approach and how they may find themselves entering into negotiations for some forms of file sharing. Also the EFF will be running ads in Rolling Stone next month asking if enthusiasts are tired of being treated like criminals."

16 of 537 comments (clear)

  1. 1 in 6? by vfwlkr · · Score: 5, Funny

    1 in 6 americans know how to use their computer?

    --
    If you're not using firefox, you're not surfing the web, you're suffering it.
    ---
    1. Re:1 in 6? by jkrise · · Score: 5, Funny

      5 of 6 Americans know about viruses and anti-virus software for Windows.

      5 of 6 Americans think Windows IS the computer.

      5 of 6 Americans think Microsoft is a microscopic kind hearted firm, like the MSN flutterby.

      5 of 6 Americans know about spam, RIAA, MPAA etc.

      Only 1 of 6 actually know how to use their computer. The rest are used by their computer.

      --
      If you keep throwing chairs, one day you'll break windows....
    2. Re:1 in 6? by Fulkkari · · Score: 5, Funny
      1 in 6 americans know how to use their computer?

      No. I think that is the number of people, helped by the geek next door. The true number is even worse I believe.

      --
      I demand the Cone of Silence!
    3. Re:1 in 6? by arvindn · · Score: 4, Funny
      "When I was young and naive I believed that all human actions are directly or indirectly motivated by the twin goals of money and sex. Now I know better; there are three drivers - money, sex, and the fear of computers." -- me

      I wanted to make it my sig. Too bad /. allows only 120 chars :(

  2. porn by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    the other 5 of 6 just look at porn sites

  3. Gah, felons? by bad_fx · · Score: 5, Funny

    You know, believe it or not, P2P software has some legitimate uses...

    Like backing up all my stuff on random stranger's computers. :)

    1. Re:Gah, felons? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      You know, believe it or not, P2P software has some legitimate uses...

      Yeah, like pr0n! Outside of usenet, p2p is the best way to umm... do anatomical research.

    2. Re:Gah, felons? by bad_fx · · Score: 5, Funny

      Yeah, That's the spirit! You're not a sick pervert, just an amateur anatomical researcher.

    3. Re:Gah, felons? by plaa · · Score: 4, Funny

      You know, believe it or not, P2P software has some legitimate uses...
      Like backing up all my stuff on random stranger's computers. :)

      "Only wimps use tape backup: real men just upload their important stuff on FTP, and let the rest of the world mirror it."
      -- Linus Torvalds

      --

      I doubt, therefore I may be.
  4. Doubt it, but... by mschoolbus · · Score: 4, Funny

    If anyone is guilty in here, raise your hand...

  5. you missed the obvious joke by Trepidity · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's named Mandrake, yet you went for the "racist" angle?

    --
    10 PRINT CHR$(205.5+RND(1)); : GOTO 10
  6. Celebrate Freedom! July is"Turn Yourself In"month! by teamhasnoi · · Score: 5, Funny
    I would love to see the justice system bog down and stop because 43 million Americans turned themseves in for DMCA violations, Copyright infringement, IP theft, and running Bonzi Buddy.

    So much for a representational government - I wonder how many Senators have kids with a pile of 'illicit' mp3s/warez/mp4s.

    Ah...they're probably all out drinkin' and pukin' with Jenna.

  7. Re:Undetectable file sharing by AKnightCowboy · · Score: 3, Funny
    which I know goes on and is pretty much undetectable by anyone wanting to stop file sharing. Waste is the latest craze among my Net friends - the download may have been pulled, but the genie is out of the bottle.

    You know, how much longer is AOL going to put up with this Frankel guy at Nullsoft? He and his "cohorts" released Gnutella which has got to be one of the biggest thorn in big media's side, he released some program to turn AOL's banners into something else in AIM, and now he goes and releases Waste which is basically similar to Gnutella but for much smaller groups. Why has he not been fired along with any co-conspirators? Does Nullsoft have that much artistic license or self-sufficiency that they won't get in trouble for this stuff or is AOL just too big to really handle internal affairs like this properly short of forcing them to pull it from being downloadable? As you said, the cat is already out of the bag. I can't believe Nullsoft doesn't get taken to task for not getting approval from corporate's lawyers before any software release!

  8. Hilary Clinton vs Hilary Rosen by jkrise · · Score: 3, Funny

    If an election were to be held for the president today, and Ms.Clinton sided with the P2P sentiments, she's assured of atleast 43 million American votes! Maybe much more, if the article is accurate enough.

    --
    If you keep throwing chairs, one day you'll break windows....
  9. More statistics by Zakabog · · Score: 4, Funny

    5 in 6 slashdotters are amazed that 1 in 6 americans can operate a computer AND use it to go online. The other 1 in 6 slashdotters didn't read the story yet.

  10. Re:Why yes, yes I am by Johnno74 · · Score: 4, Funny

    In actual fact, only 20 million americans use P2P software.

    But some of those people use it alot, far more than the average person, so really what they mean is "the equivalent of 43 million americans use P2P sofware".