Wirehog, a file-sharing program from the makers of Thefacebook.com, has been released in beta form for testing by Brown University users. The program's creator says the innovative software will usher in a new era of more "personal" file sharing.
Unlike other peer-to-peer file-sharing programs, such as Kazaa and Limewire, Wirehog allows only users of TheFacebook.com to share files with designated friends on the intercollegiate directory. "It's like normal file-sharing programs, but it's only for people you designate as your friends," said Wirehog founder, CEO and president Andrew McCollum,
"Not only do you not know who you are getting files from (on other file-sharing services), but you don't care. The only things you can search for are mainstream media, and there's no reliable way to get to those files. You can't guarantee that anyone is going to have them," he said.
McCollum distinguishes Wirehog from other services by highlighting the personal nature of this file swapping. Because only friends can access each other's Wirehog collections, users are more likely to share personal videos or photos in addition to music, said McCollum. For musicians as well, Wirehog is an invaluable source for sharing recordings. "When it's things that you have made yourself you can share them as you want," he said.
But, like many other programs that facilitate the exchange of digital media, Wirehog could potentially be used to transfer copyrighted music or movies. Last year, the Recording Industry Association of America subpoenaed Brown for the names of two network users who were suspected of illegal file sharing. In light of these and other apparent crackdowns on college music-swappers around the country, McCollum stressed the safety of sharing files with Wirehog.
"If you're sharing files, only you and your friends can see them," he said. "There's a degree of safety for users, the rest of the world can't see what they're sharing. We take that pretty seriously," he said.
Stephanie Birdsall, communication specialist at Computing and Information Services, told The Herald that CIS does not look for copyright infringers. "We're not looking for copyright violations. We are looking to see if this person is taking up too much bandwidth," she said.
"We have no idea how the RIAA comes up with their list of violators. They are very careful about explaining how they get that list," Birdsall said.
McCollum added jokingly, "Unless you invite the RIAA to be your friend, you're probably all right."
Wirehog is now in beta testing and still in development, said McCollum. Currently, there are upwards of 10,000 users of the software. The service is also available for Thefacebook users in the Ivy League, New York University, Stanford University, and University of California Berkeley. Additionally, users of Wirehog may invite friends not at these universities to join the service.
McCollum and the founder of Thefacebook, Mark Zuckerberg, brainstormed the concept of Wirehog last spring. Development of the service began in mid-July and is ongoing.
Wirehog will eventually be available to upwards of 1.6 million facebook users. "The eventual goal is to offer it to everyone," said McCollum. "There's no reason we should restrict it."
