43 Million Americans Use P2P Software

robl writes "If the NYTimes article is correct then somewhere around 1 in 6 Americans apparently are unindicted felons. In the eyes of the public file swapping is as morally wrong as speeding on the NJ Turnpike. The rest of the article talks about the RIAA's carrot/stick/education approach and how they may find themselves entering into negotiations for some forms of file sharing. Also the EFF will be running ads in Rolling Stone next month asking if enthusiasts are tired of being treated like criminals."

1 in 6?

[vfwlkr]

1 in 6 americans know how to use their computer?

porn

[Anonymous Coward]

the other 5 of 6 just look at porn sites

Gah, felons?

[bad_fx]

You know, believe it or not, P2P software has some legitimate uses...

Like backing up all my stuff on random stranger's computers. :)

Doubt it, but...

[mschoolbus]

If anyone is guilty in here, raise your hand...

you missed the obvious joke

[Trepidity]

It's named Mandrake, yet you went for the "racist" angle?

Celebrate Freedom! July is"Turn Yourself In"month!

[teamhasnoi]

I would love to see the justice system bog down and stop because 43 million Americans turned themseves in for DMCA violations, Copyright infringement, IP theft, and running Bonzi Buddy.

So much for a representational government - I wonder how many Senators have kids with a pile of 'illicit' mp3s/warez/mp4s.

Ah...they're probably all out drinkin' and pukin' with Jenna.

Moral Speeding

[Devil Ducky]

I can honestly say that I have never, nor do I plan to in the forseeable future, sped on the New Jersey Turnpike. Now the Pennsylvania turnpike is another question, but how can they honestly expect me to do 55 around Pittsburgh?

And just for the record I always obey all speed limits while using P2P software, because frankly my cable connection sucks. Because of the limitations of Adelphia, I can also say I don't download illegal music, movies, or software; I find it much easier to have someone hand me a CD for such things.

Re:1 in 6?

[jkrise]

5 of 6 Americans know about viruses and anti-virus software for Windows.

5 of 6 Americans think Windows IS the computer.

5 of 6 Americans think Microsoft is a microscopic kind hearted firm, like the MSN flutterby.

5 of 6 Americans know about spam, RIAA, MPAA etc.

Only 1 of 6 actually know how to use their computer. The rest are used by their computer.

Re:1 in 6?

[Fulkkari]

1 in 6 americans know how to use their computer?

No. I think that is the number of people, helped by the geek next door. The true number is even worse I believe.

Re:Undetectable file sharing

[AKnightCowboy]

which I know goes on and is pretty much undetectable by anyone wanting to stop file sharing. Waste is the latest craze among my Net friends - the download may have been pulled, but the genie is out of the bottle.

You know, how much longer is AOL going to put up with this Frankel guy at Nullsoft? He and his "cohorts" released Gnutella which has got to be one of the biggest thorn in big media's side, he released some program to turn AOL's banners into something else in AIM, and now he goes and releases Waste which is basically similar to Gnutella but for much smaller groups. Why has he not been fired along with any co-conspirators? Does Nullsoft have that much artistic license or self-sufficiency that they won't get in trouble for this stuff or is AOL just too big to really handle internal affairs like this properly short of forcing them to pull it from being downloadable? As you said, the cat is already out of the bag. I can't believe Nullsoft doesn't get taken to task for not getting approval from corporate's lawyers before any software release!

Re:Big Deal

[Anonymous Coward]

You know, I tried pot once. I took a hit from one of those marijuana cigarettes once (a joint?) but I didn't feel anything so I've never tried it since then. Now I'm really paranoid though anytime I ever get asked if I've ever "used" drugs. Does taking a hit off a marijuana cigarette constitute "using" drugs? I don't believe so, but in the eyes of the law I'm probably just as guilty as heroin addicts. This makes me sad. God damn college to hell! All I wanted was to go to a nice party and have a good time with my friends and I ended up ruining my life and any future career path I choose that insists employees remain drug-free. Why did they have to use the evil-weed? I can only hope that President Clinton's experimentation with marijuana can cover my one-time usage. I don't even think I did it right because I didn't inhale the smoke. I just sucked it into my mouth and then blew it out. It was the most unsatisfying thing I've ever done in my life. Drugs suck and ruin your life.

Hilary Clinton vs Hilary Rosen

[jkrise]

If an election were to be held for the president today, and Ms.Clinton sided with the P2P sentiments, she's assured of atleast 43 million American votes! Maybe much more, if the article is accurate enough.

More statistics

[Zakabog]

5 in 6 slashdotters are amazed that 1 in 6 americans can operate a computer AND use it to go online. The other 1 in 6 slashdotters didn't read the story yet.

Re:Gah, felons?

[Anonymous Coward]

You know, believe it or not, P2P software has some legitimate uses...

Yeah, like pr0n! Outside of usenet, p2p is the best way to umm... do anatomical research.

Re:1 in 6?

[arvindn]

"When I was young and naive I believed that all human actions are directly or indirectly motivated by the twin goals of money and sex. Now I know better; there are three drivers - money, sex, and the fear of computers." -- me

I wanted to make it my sig. Too bad /. allows only 120 chars :(

Re:Gah, felons?

[bad_fx]

Yeah, That's the spirit! You're not a sick pervert, just an amateur anatomical researcher.

Criminals tired of being treated like criminals!

[Anonymous Coward]

...asking if enthusiasts are tired of being treated like criminals.

Obviously not, or they would stop behaving like them.

im not guilty!

[Anonymous Coward]

piracy doesnt kill your heroes, it duplicates them!!!!

Re:Why yes, yes I am

[Johnno74]

In actual fact, only 20 million americans use P2P software.

But some of those people use it alot, far more than the average person, so really what they mean is "the equivalent of 43 million americans use P2P sofware".

Re:Gah, felons?

[plaa]

You know, believe it or not, P2P software has some legitimate uses...
Like backing up all my stuff on random stranger's computers. :)

"Only wimps use tape backup: real men just upload their important stuff on FTP, and let the rest of the world mirror it."
-- Linus Torvalds

Re:" The No Electronic Theft ("NET") Act"?

[Brian Boitano]

it's ok if you just copy the money though...

Re:Gah, felons?

[EvilTwinSkippy]

Gender Studies and Comparitive Anatomy. See, I'm reading the Internet for the articles!

Re:Celebrate Freedom! July is"Turn Yourself In"mon

[Rolo Tomasi]

That's exactly right. This is why in such a case (sizeable part of the population becomes unruly) governments usually build concentration camps.

Re:Celebrate Freedom! July is"Turn Yourself In"mon

[Surak]

Yeah, I can see it now ... P2P concentration camps. 42 million people enslaved to search the Internet and P2P networks for illegally-posted ??AA-owned material. Thousands of course will be taken to the "showers" first.

Re:I'm guilty... AND HERE IS WHY!

[Anonymous Coward]

I wonder how many people will actually go to #lamevideos on pir8net to find videos for themselves now, and wonder why there's nothing there.

Re:Doubt it, but...

[mattsucks]

Any apartments for rent there?