You mean to tell me that downloading Linux distros with a torrent is now against the law in Spain?
I hate when the media, the RIAA, various governments, etc, paint the picture of P2P only having illegal uses and all P2P users being criminals.
I have seen independent unsigned bands with chatrooms sharing their own files, developer groups discussing projects in a chat environment with their latest releases offered for multi-source download by just browsing a member in the room. (irc isn't quite the same when it comes to this)
I have friends that run a Linux room on a P2P network, offering advice, various distros, burning & installing instructions, software recommendations, open source applications they wrote, plenty of help...even spoon feeding those having a lot of trouble...all in Italian.
It's nice to be able to talk to a developer as you are downloading his latest release and get involved in a project by tossing ideas around in the chatroom.
The ProtoRelay bot that has been used a bit lately in DC's irc channel is the result of P2P. It can relay conversations in chatrooms between many protocols, irc, WinMX, open nap, Ares...and soon more. This project wouldn't have happened if there was no P2P.
Hell...I wouldn't be programming if it wasn't for P2P. Some of the best stuff shared through P2P isn't even files...it's information, encouragement, inspiration...which is the thing of most value offered on P2P.
I have a friend that operates a programming school, in a chatroom on Ares with chat server software he wrote with the purpose of teaching in mind. He gives programming lessons there! And his love for programming is infectious...everyone that meets him will want to become a programmer...like I did. I thought I couldn't do it...he showed me I can. And all the times I was so frustrated that I wanted to give up, he wouldn't let me. Making P2P illegal makes his school illegal and deprives many of the encouragement and inspiration he offers.
How dare they do that!
