Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Latest News
    • Networking

    Former AOLers Bet on Private P2P App

    Written by

    Ryan Naraine
    Published November 19, 2004
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

      Is there a place in the enterprise for a legal file-sharing application using peer-to-peer technology?

      Three former America Online Inc. executives with a history of entrepreneurial success believe they have the answer with Grouper, an encrypted P2P network that integrates file sharing, instant messaging and multimedia streaming.Josh Felser, who hit pay dirt with the $320 million sale of Spinner.com to AOL in 1999, is one of the key people behind the Mill Valley, Calif.-based Grouper, the company he created with former AOL colleagues Dave Samuel and Mike Sitrin.

      “Our technology turns the computer into a private server that allows you to share files securely in a small, invite-only group,” Felser said in an interview with eWEEK.com. Each group becomes an encrypted peer-to-peer network that allows one-click access to browse and download files.

      Currently in beta, Grouper limits private networks to 30 members. While file sharing is a key feature in the application, there is no uploading/downloading of music, Felser explained, citing the legal issues associated with sharing of copyrighted works.

      By limiting music sharing to streams in small groups, Felser said Grouper simply enables “private performances,” which is protected by U.S. Copyright Law.

      “Were not a public file-sharing network. What we offer is a way to connect to hard drives within a group in a safe, encrypted environment,” he said.

      /zimages/3/28571.gifFor a look at the security concerns of P2P, click here.

      During the stealth beta, Grouper is free and being marketed as a consumer application. But, in Felsers mind, the application will evolve into a workplace collaboration tool for the SMB (small and medium-size business) segment.

      “Think of it as a simplified collaboration tool similar to Groove,” he said, referring to the high-end enterprise software sold by Groove Networks. “Weve been approached by lots of companies who see this as an accessible way to connect and share larger files in an encrypted environment.”

      “Groove is complex and more of an app for larger enterprises. Were aiming for the smaller workgroups,” Felser added.

      Grouper will also be marketed as a remote access tool for business use, much like the Go2MyPC utility sold by Santa Barbara, Calif.-based Citrix Online.

      Felser envisions a premium version of Grouper offering remote access to e-mails, desktop folders, applications and file transfers from anywhere.

      Next Page: A tool for universities.

      Page 2

      Grouper can also be used as a tool for universities where students can form study groups to share notes and collaborate on projects. It could also be embraced by professors to distribute course material or post audio or video lectures.

      Felser said plans are also in place to offer custom versions for university network administrators to allow students to legally share personal files amongst themselves. Running Grouper through university networks can save Internet bandwidth costs because file transfers are done between machines on the local network (unlike other P2P networks).

      Felser, who served as vice president and general manager of AOLs Spinner, WinAmp and Shoutcast music brands, believes the invite-only element separates Grouper from others in the space.

      Mercora, the peer-to-peer radio network launched by former McAfee Chief Executive Srivats Sampath, also combines IM and image-sharing capabilities, but that service is public.

      Google Inc. runs a similar service, the Hello application that came with the acquisition of Picasa earlier this year.

      Businesses have generally frowned on peer-to-peer usage because of the security implications, a potential stumbling block for widespread adoption of Grouper. The Skype P2P VoIP client, for instance, has been banned from some workplaces because of the data leakage risk.

      However, Felser said Groupers emphasis on being a small, private, encrypted network minimizes the risk. “Were a heck of a lot safer to the business because we target very small groups of people who already know and trust each other. And we have a very firm anti-spyware policy. Well never add spyware or adware of any kind.”

      Grouper, which launched with $1 million in angel seed funding, expects to make money from a feature-rich premium version for power users and SMBs.

      Felser said rich media advertising will be embedded into the free version, and e-commerce tie-ins with online music stores and photo printing services will also offer business opportunities.

      Check out eWEEK.coms for the latest news, views and analysis on servers, switches and networking protocols for the enterprise and small businesses.

      Ryan Naraine
      Ryan Naraine

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Artificial Intelligence

      9 Best AI 3D Generators You Need...

      Sam Rinko - June 25, 2024 0
      AI 3D Generators are powerful tools for many different industries. Discover the best AI 3D Generators, and learn which is best for your specific use case.
      Read more
      Cloud

      RingCentral Expands Its Collaboration Platform

      Zeus Kerravala - November 22, 2023 0
      RingCentral adds AI-enabled contact center and hybrid event products to its suite of collaboration services.
      Read more
      Artificial Intelligence

      8 Best AI Data Analytics Software &...

      Aminu Abdullahi - January 18, 2024 0
      Learn the top AI data analytics software to use. Compare AI data analytics solutions & features to make the best choice for your business.
      Read more
      Latest News

      Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

      James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
      I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
      Read more
      Video

      Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

      James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
      I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2024 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×