According to Wikipedia:

"File sharing is the practice of making files available for other users to download over the Internet and smaller networks. Usually file sharing follows the peer-to-peer (P2P) model, where the files are stored on and served by personal computers of the users.

Most people who engage in file sharing are also downloading files that other users share. Sometimes these two activities are linked together. P2P File sharing is distinct from file trading in that downloading files from a P2P network does not require uploading, although some networks either provide incentives for uploading such as credits or force the sharing of files being currently downloaded."

Photo credit: Ivan Stevanovic

With the term Collaborative File Sharing this guide refers to those technologies that, while mostly software (and not web-) based, allow two or more individuals to share selected files with each other in a peer-to-peer fashion.

While the term P2P has become recently synonimous with (illegal) file-sharing, the technology principles that make P2P possible offer true benefits and advantages to all the users supporting it and presents itself as an emerging area of collaborative and delivery and distribution tools that will rapidly supplment centralized, top-down distribution systems.

File-sharing therefore generally refers to all those technologies that allow a direct, point-to-point ability to send / share selected files with other people. Depending on the file-sharing technology utilized file sharing can be set to go from wide-open with anyone being able to access file shared over public P2P file-sharing networks to private and therefore more collaborative workgroups.

This guide does not pretend to be a fully comprehensive listing for all collaborative file sharing tools available today. It rather sets a starting point for creating such reference and invites you to contribute links and references to other technologies that should be listed and reviewed here.

Here is more information about collaborative file sharing tools:

Key features that characterize file sharing technologies include:

• Web-Based/Software

  Whether the file-sharing technology is web-based or software-based. Most file-sharing technologies by way of their definition are software-based as being so they supposedly provide for greater privacy and control over the materials being made available.





• Encryption

  Encryption is the ability to encode files to be shared in such a way that fraudulent interception of the files does not allow perpetrators to be able to read and open their contents. Encryption is particular where confidentiality and classified information is to be shared.





• Text Chat

  Text chat is the ability to communicate in real-time via a text-based facility.





• Remote Access to specific files

  Some file-sharing tools provide the ability to share files by enabling one or more computers to be accesed remotely so that certain files located on those machines can be accessed remotely.





• Max file size

  Limitations (rare) on the number and size of files that can be shared.





• Synch features

  The ability to synchronize files and folders shared with a selected group of partners or computers. An automatic feature checks everytime a group member goes online whether he/she has all the files (and the latest revisions) available to everyone else.

Collaborative File Sharing Tools

OnShare

OnShare is a free way to share files and chat with your friends in complete privacy. It's a simple download that lets you directly network computers together. You control exactly what your friends can see and get their hands on. You only share files with people you invite so you know they are from a trusted source. The files you share stay exactly where they are on your computer.

Link: http://www.onshare.com

BeInSync

BeInSync offers you the complete freedom to manage your digital content. Use BeInSync to easily stay connected and always in sync with colleagues, friends, your remote computers and files. You can sync up your files across your home, office and notebook computers and share your photos, videos, music and files with colleagues, family and friends. You will be able to access your files on the road from any Web browser and automatically backup and protect all of your valuable data.

Link: http://www.beinsync.com

Groove

Groove features folder synchronization and integration with Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Office. You can also share files, discussions, calendar, sketch, web links, pictures and a notepad. Collaborating users can also edit their documents while they are offline and sync up changes once they go online.

Link: http://groove.net

ShareDirect

ShareDirect lets you connect any folders on your PC to any number of users instantly and securely. Create your own private and secure document-sharing network with authenticated ShareDirect Members directly from Window Explorer. You can grant or deny member access to shared folders in seconds. With an integrated antivirus scanner, 256-bit encryption, and full user authentication, your data is always secure.

Link: http://www.laplink.com/sharedirect

WASTE

WASTE is an anonymous, secure, and encryped collaboration tool which allows users to both share ideas through the chat interface and share data through the download system. WASTE is RSA secured, and has been hearalded as the most secure P2P connection protocol currently in development.

Link: http://waste.sourceforge.net

FolderShare

FolderShare allows you to create a private peer-to-peer network that will help you to synchronize files across multiple devices and access or share files with colleagues and friends. FolderShare allows you to share and sync important information instantly with anyone you invite, making it the perfect solution for personal or small business use.

Link: https://www.foldershare.com

Shinkuro

The Shinkuro software lets you share files across multiple computers. Just install the software on each machine, create a group and designate a folder you would like to share with the group. Any files you put in that folder will be shared with the other members automatically. Shinkuro also includes secure instant messaging and secure screen sharing, to give you a complete collaboration environment.

Link: http://www.shinkuro.com

AllPeers

AllPeers is a file sharing program that integrates with your Firefox browser, allowing you to share your files privately and securely with whomever you want. AllPeers does not put limits on file size or the number of people with whom a file can be shared. You simply need to create your contacts list and start sharing your files while browsing the Internet.

Link: http://www.allpeers.com

Syncura

Syncura is a peer-to-peer file sharing application that enables virtual teams, classrooms or other groups of people to keep their files in synch by connecting their computers through a secure, invitation-only PC software. Syncura instantly synchronizes files updated by your team to your local hard drive and also downloads any changes your teammates made while you were offline.

Link: http://www.syncura.com

Mindquarry

Mindquarry file sharing uses the Mindquarry Desktop Client to synchronize files across different computers. The client will ask you for your credentials and a workspace folder on your computer where it will maintain a local copy of the shared files. After startup of the client you can hit the synchronize button and a new directory will be created for your team in the local workspace. Put files into your local workspace and hit "synchronize" again: the file will be uploaded and available to all team members.

Link: http://www.mindquarry.com

WiPeer

WiPeer is a suite of applications for collaboration in server-less environments, such as home and small office networks as well as peer-to-peer wireless networks. These applications include forming local social networks, chatting, file sharing, searching among shared files in other computers, and interactive multiplayer games.

Link: http://www.wipeer.com

BadBlue

BadBlue PE is a free download that is the easiest way to share files. It supports searching, peer-to-peer sharing and is a complete, secure web server. BadBlue PE converts Word documents to HTML automatically. Best of all, PE can be customized with its support of HTML, CGI, PHP. In support of peer-to-peer file sharing, BadBlue supports a protocol called Gnutella. BadBlue is a combination web server, office document transcoding engine and Gnutella server.

Link: http://www.badblue.com

Octopod

Octopod is a system that lets you share files securely with a private group of other users anywhere on the Internet. With Octopod, users can have 'share' directories that Octopod automatically synchronizes with other share members. Octopod is decentralized (which means that all users store data locally), and is secure in because only members of a share can access the contents of the share or its member list.

Link: http://sysnet.ucsd.edu/octopod

Alliance

Alliance is a private and secure environment to share files and communicate with people you know. With Alliance users create their own networks. You can either start a new network or get invited into an existing network by another Alliance user. Alliance is available for Windows only and is completely free to use.

Link: http://www.alliancep2p.com

Collanos Workplace

Collanos Workplace is a peer-to-peer team collaboration suite. It allows internet users to form teams and collaborate together on a shared projects. Available for Mac, Windows, and Linux PCs it enables users to invite colleagues, friends, or partners to a team workspace where members can immediately share and organize their files, notes and links, lead discussions, and assign tasks. Free.

Link: http://www.collanos.com/m1/en/index

Resources about Collaborative File Sharing

• File Sharing on Wikipedia

File sharing is the practice of making files available for other users to download over the Internet and smaller networks. Usually file sharing follows the peer-to-peer (P2P) model, where the files are stored on and served by personal computers of the users. Most people who engage in file sharing are also downloading files that other users share. Sometimes these two activities are linked together. P2P File sharing is distinct from file trading in that downloading files from a P2P network does not require uploading, although some networks either provide incentives for uploading such as credits or force the sharing of files being currently downloaded.





• Why P2P File Sharing Is Good: The P2P Manifesto

  Marco Montemagno, an Italian new media communication expert, entrepreneur and blogger, who has worked and collaborated with some of the most established media corporations including Italy's RAI and Murdoch's Sky TV network, has just published online a notable P2P manifesto, in which he shares his uncensored view of what the majors (established media) should expect from P2P and its unstoppable growth.





• Peer-to-Peer on Wikipedia

  A peer-to-peer (or P2P) computer network relies primarily on the computing power and bandwidth of the participants in the network rather than concentrating it in a relatively low number of servers. P2P networks are typically used for connecting nodes via largely _ad hoc_ connections. Such networks are useful for many purposes. Sharing content files (see file sharing) containing audio, video, data or anything in digital format is very common, and realtime data, such as telephony traffic, is also passed using P2P technology.





• What is file sharing?

  File sharing is the public or private sharing of computer data or space in a network with various levels of access privilege. While files can easily be shared outside a network (for example, simply by handing or mailing someone your file on a diskette), the term file sharing almost always means sharing files in a network, even if in a small local area network. File sharing allows a number of people to use the same file or file by some combination of being able to read or view it, write to or modify it, copy it, or print it.





• Peer-to-peer network

  A local-area network in which there is no central controller and all the nodes have equal access to the resources of the network.

  
  
  

  Collaborative File Sharing Tools - Comparison Chart

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  Collaborative File Sharing News Radar

  

  
  
  This information has been researched and collected by Robin Good in conjunction and support of the LANCELOT Language Research Project funded by the European Commission under the LEONARDO DA VINCI, Language Competence II programme.

  This mini-guide has been written for online teachers, trainers and language facilitators that need to navigate the vast sea of options and alternatives available to them. In no way this mini-guide intends to be a comprehensive and complete list of all tools and technologies for a specific use.

  It is simply an initial starting guide for novice online tutors needing to understand within the least time possible which tools and technologies could be most appropriate for their online language training needs.

  Please utilize the Comments section below to add and provide references, info and links to other relevant tools that could be included in this mini-guide.