Steal This File Sharing Book (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"An essential 'bible' for any avid file-sharer." -- Midwest Book Review, January 2005 http://www.midwestbookreview.com/ibw/jan_05.htm

"Enjoyed the little touches, like the letter Bill Gates wrote in the 70's imploring hobbyists to stop stealing his software." -- The Rose Review, December 14, 2004 http://trrbooks.blogspot.com/

"Go ahead and buy (don’t steal) this book if you want to understand the background and issues surrounding file sharing." -- MacCompanion, December 2004 http://www.maccompanion.com/documents/freeissues/2004/december2004.pdf

"Unquestionably the best book on the subject that I've read… Steal This File Sharing Book is both funny and lucid." -- Boing Boing, December 12, 2004 http://www.boingboing.net/2004/12/12/steal_this_file_shar.html

Contributed article by Wallace Wang entitled, "Let’s sue everybody! (or ‘why file sharing is not illegal’)" -- SC Magazine, December 1, 2004 http://www.scmagazine.com/features/index.cfm?fuseaction=FeatureDetails&newsUID=df1cfb91-0249-43b8-b4af-b03c67acdfe3&newsType=Opinion

If it were up to Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco... just about any software or music publisher, this book would be banned. -- Geek.com, September 12, 2005 (http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2005Sep/fea20050912032209.htm)

The breadth of coverage is impressive, the writing and organization excellent. -- Reader’s Preference http://www.readerspreference.com/reviews/stealfilesharing.html

Product Description

Steal This File Sharing Book tackles the thorny issue of file sharing networks such as Kazaa, Morpheus, and Usenet. It explains how these networks work and how to use them. It exposes the dangers of using file sharing networks--including viruses, spyware, and lawsuits--and tells how to avoid them.

In addition to covering how people use file sharing networks to share everything from music and video files to books and pornography, it also reveals how people use them to share secrets and censored information banned by their governments. Includes coverage of the ongoing battle between the software, video, and music pirates and the industries that are trying to stop them.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: No Starch Press; 1 edition (October 25, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159327050X
• ISBN-13: 978-1593270506
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #657,172 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Legal and illegal file sharing information, November 6, 2004

By	Jack D. Herrington "engineer and author" (Silicon Valley, CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This book is a lot of fun. It covers both legal and illegal aspects of file sharing, primarily of finding music, movies, hacked software and adult entertainment. He covers a variety of file sharing networks and applications. But the primary value of the book is in the experience he impart. The etiquette of file sharing, how to secure your files and avoid the security problems.

The coverage is fairly high level. You won't be getting step-by-step instructions in how to rip DVDs. The topics are covered, but the author generally leaves it to you to navigate all of the features of any particular application.

This book is better than the shoddy cover would imply, but the organization could have used some work. Definitely worth a look for those interested in doing a lot of file sharing.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars No samizdat, November 9, 2004

By	W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Looking for controversy? No shortage of it in this book. One can readily imagine this book as contraband in some regimes. Wang describes the major file sharing networks of our time. Gnutella, FastTrack, BitTorrent and others. He gives you the gist of each and how to get started using them to download files. All the major networks are designed to be easy to use for the layperson. Indeed, we see that this is a necessary condition for their popularity.

IRC usage is also explained. This is also an important electronic modality for downloading files. Ditto with Instant Messaging offerings from MSN, Yahoo and ICQ.

Naturally, a large portion of the book discusses what types of files get downloaded. Most music. Some video. But still limited because of the sheer amount of data in a typical film. Wang covers the continuing controversies in a fairly neutral tone. Overall, he supports the usage of the networks. Though he decries the copyright infringement. One might wonder, though, if it is because for practical reasons, he cannot take any other stance, given that he is espousing his view in the permanent form of this book. And that he is doing so with a reputable publisher, No Starch. So this is no samizdat.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Everything You Want to Know, April 8, 2005

By	Todd Hawley (San Francisco CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Wang's other book (Steal This Computer Book) explored the "dark underbelly" of the 'Net and this book in effect picks up where the other book leaves off. You can debate whether or not file sharing is legal and ethical, but no one can deny it is here to stay. Not only does Wang explain where to find files (at places like file sharing networks, newsgroups, chat rooms, etc.), he also describes ways to stay anonymous while doing so. There are also chapters on file formats, sharing music, movies, TV shows, even software, video games and the most popular item, pornography.

I find it interesting speaking of porn that porn producers seem to have found ways to deal with this issue and yet the "establishment" still feels the best way to fight it is through legal action. The book's last two chapters describe the future of file sharing and how the entertainment industries continue to fight back. They may try copy protection schemes, but it seems there's always someone who finds a way to defeat those schemes.

Regardless of how you feel about this issue, this is a well-written and informative book, written in the same spirit of Steal This Computer Book.