Napster and Gnutella let users swap data from one PC--or "peer"--to another, without going through a central server. Here's how they work:
NAPSTER
1 Napster is downloaded and installed on a personal computer.
2 The software enables the PC to log on to Napster's server. When a search is made, the server checks its database for any other Napster users who are online and have that file.
3 If the server finds a match, Napster puts the computer that has the file directly in touch with the computer that wants it, and the file is downloaded from one to the other.
...
To continue reading:
or
Log-In
