Reference Article: Here.
Well, like the title says the mainline client for BitTorrent is now closed source. I will clarify that from what I've read this covers both the actual client and the protocols in development. The client being closed source isn't a shock really, since the acquisition of uTorrent by Bram, the protocol however is. The reason that was stated for keeping the main client closed source is as follows:
Frankly, I don't get it. Closing the main client won't prevent scams, there's nothing stopping people from repackaging the installer itself and adding (or slipping in) things that users would click through (as has been done to uTorrent itself far too many times). An observant commenter brought this up, fifth post down (link at bottom of article to discussion).There are two aspects to the BitTorrent open source debate - the protocol itself, and the client. What helped motivate BitTorrent's decision to close the mainline client?
"There are two issues people need to come to grips with. Developers who produce open source products will often have their product repackaged and redistributed by businesses with malicious intent. They repackage the software with spyware or charge for the product. We often receive phone calls from people who complain they have paid for the BitTorrent client."
The protocols also will not be publicly available either. Instead anyone wishing to get at them will have to get an SDK license (I don't know how easy or difficult this is, I'm not a developer of a client). I don't see a use in not publishing the protocols... who is this aimed at stopping? Surely any malicious person can still impersonate being a developer and get a license?
This affects only the latest client (6.0), the older versions will remain as they are open, however I don't like this one bit. To me, it doesn't feel right at all. BitTorrent is about openness and sharing with everyone, and the main client has always represented that it seems by well being open and cross-platform (least to my knowledge. I may not have liked or used the main client, but it was always there). Doesn't really seem to be consistent with the whole concept behind BitTorrent, does it?
One last note to make, uTorrent, for those that don't know, is a Windows only client (the 6.0 beta is accordingly only Windows too). Unless something drastic happens, I assume it will remain as such for the foreseeable future. I mean I don't get the impression the uTorrent developers were ever interested in porting to Mac or *nix.
So, how do you feel? Thoughts? Comments? Please leave piracy out of this, what people share is a discussion for another day. P2P does have very legitimate uses such as Linux Distros (and other giant files), Creative Commons media, as well as original content shared with small communities on both private and public trackers.
Oh and as for me, I guess I'm just gonna add BitTorrent/uTorrent to my list of black listed programs that I don't use/recommend (which includes BitComet, Norton, McAfee and a few others I don't like) . Sad day I think, really sad.
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Originally Posted by smartboyathome
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