Researchers Warn of Possible BitTorrent Meltdown 294
secmartin writes "Researchers at Delft University warn that large parts of the BitTorrent network might collapse if The Pirate Bay is forced to shut down. A large part of the available torrents use The Pirate Bay as tracker, and other available trackers will probably be overloaded if all traffic is shifted there. TPB is currently using eight servers for their trackers. According to the researchers, even trackerless torrents using the DHT protocol will face problems: 'One bug in a DHT sorting routine ensures that it can only "stumble upon success", meaning torrent downloads will not start in seconds or minutes if Pirate Bay goes down in flames.'"
sssssh! (Score:5, Funny)
Whenever Pirate Bay goes down, let's everyone agree that bittorrent is dead. Say it very loudly when around RIAA types and look morose, say it looks like we're going to have to pay top dollar for entertainment, pantomime getting out your wallets. And for xod's sake, don't mention any of the other torrent sites. *wink*
Great article! (Score:4, Funny)
Re:The laws of Sweden still apply to some extent (Score:5, Funny)
in my defense I would like to point out that:
1. I am wardriving this through a poorly encrypted WiFi connection that some guy or girl put up in their apartment.
I wonder if it's like my open wifi connection. I'm quite happy for people to come onto mine so I can have a damned good look through their computers. Depending on how bad I'm feeling, they might go away with an unexpected present...
Re:sssssh! (Score:5, Funny)
WHAT other torrent sites? Sheesh you make it sound like there ARE other torrent sites. Didn't you read the summary? The Pirate Bay goes down, and bit torrent goes down. There ARE no "other" sites.
Did I sound convincing?
Re:Bit Torrent has recovered before (Score:5, Funny)
Did you just say "bull"? That's no kind of language for a distinguished web forum like Slashdot! You wash your mouth out with soap, young man!
Re:This is GREAT for bittorrent (Score:5, Funny)
I got invited to a private tracker the other day that expected everyone to keep a ratio of over 1:1.
It's nice to know some sites are so far up their own arse that they forget quite how bit-torrent works and fail at basic maths.
Re: missing a zero, I hope? (Score:4, Funny)
You're missing a zero in that ratio, I hope? That ratio is an order of magnitude off from BitTorrent sainthood.
Re:sssssh! (Score:5, Funny)
Did I sound convincing?
No but the public has been desensitized enough by bad acting they're used to seeing in MPAA movies that they'll believe it.
Re:Bit Torrent has recovered before (Score:2, Funny)
I wouldn't worry about it: we've used the word "Belgium" on this distinguished web forum on many occasions.
Re:sssssh! (Score:5, Funny)
Did I sound convincing?
No but the public has been desensitized enough by bad acting they're used to seeing in MPAA movies that they'll believe it.
Whoa!
Re:BitTorrent is not a Network (Score:2, Funny)
Re:This is GREAT for bittorrent (Score:4, Funny)
Nah, they just figure if you aren't cheating, you aren't trying.
Re:Probably won't happen.... (Score:3, Funny)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/sweden/1476548/Swedens-jail-reforms-are-put-on-hold.html [telegraph.co.uk]
Quote: Almost as soon as he was caught, Saddam Hussein, the former Iraqi president, asked to be allowed to serve out his time awaiting trial in a Swedish jail. "Prisons in Sweden seem to be more comfortable than in other places,"
8 servers (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Tag this FUD (Score:3, Funny)
The Pirate Bay - Too big to fail, government bailout proposed!
Re:UI Design Fail. (Score:5, Funny)
I still get a narrow story column and a ton of wasted whitespace.
Well if they used it, it wouldn't be whitespace, now would it?
Re:BitTorrent is not a Network (Score:5, Funny)
But computers can form a network using http, its called the Internet.
Did you really just say that?
Re:The market will find a way (Score:3, Funny)
Finally, a simple, permanent solution to the piracy problem.
Nothing to see here, move along...
Re:Bit Torrent has recovered before (Score:2, Funny)
10. Google
11. Yahoo!
12. Micr.... never mind that one.
Re:Don't you believe it.... (Score:3, Funny)
Kermit! (Score:2, Funny)