Locutus Preview Released

An anonymous reader writes "FreeNet's Ian Clarke has released the preview version of his latest P2P endeavor Locutus. Aimed at the corporate world, Locutus adds encryption to the mix - new for a P2P client - to secure files traded across the network as well as the ability to scan within text files to improve search results. Locutus Lite is the free version for those who are more concerned with trading movies and tunes. Locutus Enterprise is the pay version that Clarke hopes to lure corporations to shell out money for (for secure trading of research and other documents). Those interested in trying the preview can download it here."

FAQ

[Mdog]

(Site slashdotted)

1 General
1.1 What is Locutus?
Locutus is a .Net application that will allow you to search for files on your hard disk and on other people's shared folders on your LAN, and on the Internet as a whole.
1.2 Why is Locutus a 20MB download?
In fact, Locutus itself is only about 400k in size, however it relies on Microsoft's .NET framework. Not everyone has a version of Windows which includes .NET, and so if you try to download Locutus and don't have .NET you will automatically download a version of the installer which includes it. The next time you upgrade Locutus, or any other .NET software, you will find that the download is much smaller. You can find out whether you have .NET by visiting the Downloads page.
1.25 Why is slashdot so fucking retarded?
It's because people aren't aware that the editors are facist morons. Read ths signature for this post and find out more.
1.3 I've installed it - now what?
When you run Locutus, you should see a discrete search box at the bottom right of your screen. You can enter search terms into this box, and Locutus will search your computer, along with the shared directories of other Locutus users on your LAN. The more of your co-workers that use Locutus, the more useful it will be, so email them now and direct them to http://locut.us/!
1.4 What is the difference between Locutus and other P2P applications?
There are a number of important differences:

* Detailed file analysis
Most P2P applications just search on the basis of a filename or superficial data about the files being searched. Locutus will scan documents in their entirity, extracting significant keywords - using technology similar to that used by web search engines.
* Scalable and efficient search algorithm
Locutus employs a sophisticated decentralized search algorithm which can rapidly search tens or hundreds of thousands of computers in a very short space of time, and without any reliance on inefficient "broadcast" searches, or fragile "ultrapeers". This effeciency dramatically reduces Locutus' bandwidth requirements relative to more conventional P2P applications.
* Strong security model
With most P2P apps, you are either sharing a file or you are not - and often you can accidentally end up sharing files that you didn't intend to share. Locutus allows finer control over who can search which folders on your computer, and in the upcoming Enterprise release, will enforce this security using military-grade encryption.

1.5 What is the difference between Locutus and a web Search Engine?
Web search engines only search information publicly available on the Internet, and they do so in a totally centralized manner. Locutus can search the hard-disks of desktop PCs (within constraints defined by the PC's user) in a completely decentralized manner. Locutus doesn't require that a server be set up - you just download, install, and you can start using it immediately!
2 Using Locutus
2.1 Does Locutus allow others to see my private files?
No! Locutus will only allow others to search for files in shared directories on your computer, or files that you have deliberately placed in the Locutus shared folder on your desktop.
2.2 Will Locutus slow down my computer?
While the built-in Windows indexing service is well-known for slowing down the user's computer, Locutus is much more careful about its resource usage. Initially Locutus does need to create an index of your hard-disk, however once this is done, Locutus is careful only to reindex files when necessary (ie. when they change, or when a new file is created). In practice, Locutus doesn't have any negative effect on system performance once the initial indexing is complete - you won't even know its there.
3 Microsoft's .Net
3.1 What is .Net and why does Locutus need it? .Net is, at its core, an attempt to standardize the way that software applications communicate with the underlying Operating System. .Net was developed by Microsoft, and at the time of writing is only available for Windows, however .Net has been embraced by some in the Linux community who are working on Open Source versions of .Net such as Mono. Once finished, these will allow Locutus to run on non-Microsoft operating systems.
3.2 I heard that .Net can compromise your privacy - is this true?
There was some controversy over a Microsoft product called "Passport" which Microsoft marketed under the .Net banner - however Passport is not required by Locutus, and is not included in the Locutus installer.

We value our privacy, and respect yours. We would never ask you to install anything that we wouldn't install on our own computers.
4 Business Model
4.1 Many P2P applications include Spyware - what about Locutus?
No, Locutus does not include any advertising, nor will it install any third-party advertising or data-collection software.
4.2 If not advertising, what is your business model?
We plan to give Locutus Prototype and Locutus Lite (available late January 2003) for free. Those who require enhanced security or other features will have the opportunity to purchase Locutus Enterprise when it is released in March 2003.
4.3 Who do I contact if I am interested in a business relationship with Cematics LLC?
Cematics is a young and flexible company, and are always on the look-out for new collaboration opportunities. If you are interested in a business relationship with Cematics LLC, please email our business development group at [e-mail].
4.4 Will Locutus be released as Open Source software?
While we are big fans of Open Source software, we do not feel that there is a viable business model for us that would allow us to release Locutus as Open Source. We will, however, be developing ways that third-party software developers can write software which integrates with Locutus.
Index

1 General
1.1 What is Locutus?
1.2 Why is Locutus a 20MB download?
1.3 I've installed it - now what?
1.4 What is the difference between Locutus and other P2P applications?
1.5 What is the difference between Locutus and a web Search Engine?

2 Using Locutus
2.1 Does Locutus allow others to see my private files?
2.2 Will Locutus slow down my computer?

3 Microsoft's .Net
3.1 What is .Net and why does Locutus need it?
3.2 I heard that .Net can compromise your privacy - is this true?

4 Business Model
4.1 Many P2P applications include Spyware - what about Locutus?
4.2 If not advertising, what is your business model?
4.3 Who do I contact if I am interested in a business relationship with Cematics LLC?
4.4 Will Locutus be released as Open Source software?
Copyright © 2003 Cematics, LLC

Trademark...

[po8]

I hope Ian has gotten permission to use the name Locutus, which is, no surprise, a trademark of Paramount. Info below.

(BTW, why does Slashdot not allow <pre> tags but allow text-only postings and the obvious <tt>...<br> thing? What a pain.)

Word Mark LOCUTUS
Goods and Services IC 028. US 022.
G & S: toys; namely, action figures and accessories therefor, poseable figures, dolls.
FIRST USE: 19930600.
FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19930600
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 74462053
Filing Date November 12, 1993
Published for Opposition August 23, 1994
Registration Number 1862622
Registration Date November 15, 1994
Owner (REGISTRANT) PARAMOUNT PICTURES CORPORATION
CORPORATION DELAWARE
5555 Melrose Avenue Los Angeles CALIFORNIA 900383197
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Affidavit Text SECT 15. SECT 8 (6-YR).
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE

Re:Another 20MB.

[gutier]

I for one am extremely happy with the .NET framework. It is a comprehensive box of functionality that all .NET applications can make use of. Many useful applications I've written in .NET have been under 200K in size. Comparable programs I've written in Linux are all over 200K in size. This is after having to deal with the incredible mash of libraries that simply don't work well together. Why? Well, how about the amazing number of reimplementations of method pointers, having to deal with C++ libraries and C libraries and woes arising thereof, exceptions in some libraries and return codes in others, all different kinds of naming conventions and the bazillion mappings of this over that.

I've found that programming in .NET is actually a lot like programming in Python (a nice language and a clean, integrated box of functionality, and NOT like Perl/CPAN with for all the same Linux-related reasons again ... ). Given .NET's intended domain (which is Windows software running on Windows), it is very well done.

Let's give up the religious dogma, emotional outbursts and reactivity, and evaluate it objectively. Objective evaluation of a complete situation is what they really tried to teach you in college.

Re:Trademark...

[MisterFancypants]

Goods and Services IC 028. US 022. G & S: toys; namely, action figures and accessories therefor, poseable figures, dolls.

I don't think this software qualifies as a toy, action figure, poseable figure or a doll. You do understand how trademarks work, don't you?

Not the first p2p with encryption.

[Anonymous Coward]

I think the first p2p client with an encryption feature was filetopia.

www.filetopia.com

Re:Billyborg

[tulare]

According to the locutus faq [locut.us], the developers will not be releasing source to the app. Doesn't look like they're interested in ports.

PGP is not new for P2P...

[torpor]

... dibs, for example, uses it:

http://freshmeat.net/projects/dibs/ [freshmeat.net]

Re:Great. Five whole minutes of my life wasted.

[umofomia]

My point was this: as written, locutus is a pure Windows-only app, which was not in any way apparent from the original posting. And, according to the faq [locut.us], the developers of locutus do not intend to release the source for the app, which means no porting to Mono, lisp, Applescript, FORTRAN, or anything else for that matter. Only for Windows.

According to the FAQ:

3.1 What is .Net and why does Locutus need it?

.Net is, at its core, an attempt to standardize the way that software applications communicate with the underlying Operating System. .Net was developed by Microsoft, and at the time of writing is only available for Windows, however .Net has been embraced by some in the Linux community who are working on Open Source versions of .Net such as Mono. Once finished, these will allow Locutus to run on non-Microsoft operating systems.

You don't need the source to port Locutus to Mono... it's compiled to the .NET Common Language Runtime, which Mono is attempting the implement for Linux. So all you need is the compiled program; the source is not necessary... similar to the way Java apps run on top of JVMs running on different platforms.

Re:P2P for Linux...

[jonathan_ingram]

No. When giFT [sourceforge.net] first started out, it was trying to be compatible with KaZaA. However, almost immediately afterwards, KaZaA changed their protocol to make it highly difficult to use (I don't believe anyone has reverse engineered the current KaZaA protocol), so giFT uses its own p2p network protocol called openFT.

Re:Trademark...

[po8]

The way I understand it, as with copyright, a trademark need not be registered to be protected. Registering a trademark for the name Locutus in connection with action figures is likely to establish Paramount's right to the name in other contexts. With an obviously invented name like "Locutus", the onus may be on the defendant in an infringement suit. Keep in mind that the Lanham Act is quite broad: the "dilution" argument may provide a basis for a successful suit in this situation.

Besides, remember the golden rule of lawsuits: if you are Ian, and you are sued by Paramount, you lose, because Paramount can afford to fight the suit forever out of pocket change and run you bankrupt before justice is done. Much better to pick a name that is either clearly conventional or clearly unique, to avoid trouble from the beginning.

Re:Good plan

[edhall]

It's Latin for "speak." Look up the English word "locution" (since I doubt most folks on this list have a Latin dictionary) and see.

-Ed

Re:Bah, it doesnt run on linux.

[SealBeater]

From the FAQ:

3.2 I am a Linux/Mac user, is there is version of Locutus for me? .Net was developed by Microsoft, and at the time of writing is only available for Windows, however .Net has been embraced by some in the Linux community who are working on Open Source versions of .Net such as Mono. Once finished, these will allow Locutus to run on non-Microsoft operating systems (we are Linux geeks too - so we won't waste any time once Mono comes of age).

Groove

[rbeattie]

150+ posts and no one's mentioned Groove? Do you people live in a frigin' vacuum?

Groove [groove.net] is a company founded by Ray Ozzie, the creator of Lotus Notes. The Groove Workspace is a hyper-secure P2P application made for business and government use. It has several "tools" that you can use within the application like chat, file-sharing, calendaring, custom forms, etc. All communication between the P2P clients is encrypted as well as the files themselves. Once you import a file into Groove to be shared, it's encrypted automatically.

The general theory behind the application is that you can't rely on the wires to be secure, ever. So all the data and communication between peers is encrypted automatically without any user intervention needed.

The reason you should think this app is cool is because it's an easy way to set up super-secure filesharing between peers whether on a local network or across the internet. It's not open file sharing like Gnutella, but it's more like having a virtual secure file server just for you and the peers you invite into your workspace.

The reason you should hate this app is because not only is Groove in bed with Microsoft (M$ has invested millions and only runs on Windows) but this app is also being used by the new Office of Information Awareness, i.e. Big Brother.

-Russ

Re:Good plan

[infornogr]

Android, not cyborg. He was comlpetely artificial.

Encrypted P2P ...

[nirnaeth]

Has been around for a while now. Ceck out filetopia [filetopia.com]. Although Locutus does look useful for searching corporate lans and such.

Re:Microsoft..

[op00to]

I smell RIPOFF. Try at least saying this isn't yours. Ripping off other people's work is pretty lame, even for karma.

Google #1 [bgu.ac.il]
Google #2 [ifis.org.uk]
Ahh, take the whole damn thing. [google.com]

Re:who would pay for this?

[Graspee_Leemoor]

Not so- Sharereactor is an excellent community with very active bulletin boards, and the edonkey network's having hashes means I know exactly what file I am getting. The user comments and forums on sharereactor mean I have an idea of the quality of the file too.

Seriously, try it.

graspee