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Opera Adds BitTorrent to Web Browser

By Nate Mook, BetaNews

July 6, 2005, 1:28 PM

Opera Software has released a test version of its flagship Web browser that adds an embedded BitTorrent client for downloading content using the popular file sharing protocol. Although Opera has not officially announced the beta, which is dubbed a "technology preview," the release is available from the company's FTP server.

The addition makes Opera the first Web browser to natively support BitTorrent downloads, which normally require a separate external client. Alongside the BitTorrent feature, Opera 8.02 will also introduce a number of bug fixes including an update for Web pages using Flash.

BitTorrent has found immense popularity as a way to download files due to its distributed architecture, although its use thus far has largely been for sharing copyrighted content such as movies.

Operationally, a "seed" file, or one complete file, is all that is needed to initiate a BitTorrent download. Once initiated, seeds are downloaded by file sharers who obtain "bits" of the master file over peer-to-peer networks. The efficiency of distribution scales upward as more file sharers download.

But just like P2P networks, BitTorrent has drawn the attention of authorities that have shut down a number of Web sites related to the protocol. BitTorrent has been used by a number of legitimate organizations to distribute large files, however, including Linux distributions of Red Hat and Mandriva.

The Opera 8.02 Technology Preview is available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.

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By packerfan

edited Jul 8, 2005 - 11:59 AM

Sounds great. I know the RIAA and Motion Picture Industry of America are overwhelmed with joy. I wouldnt use the default one I would be worried that they did it on purpose so they can easly get a list of IP's of people who use it.

Score: 0

By asellus

posted Jul 7, 2005 - 4:24 AM

Can't change default port and can't limit uploads speeds (so that the download speed did not suffer). Opera needs to give control of the config to the users so that Bittorrent downloads can be be faster.

Score: 0

By NormAnZ

posted Jul 7, 2005 - 10:43 AM

In addition to the other reply, Opera limits the upload speed automatically.

Score: 0

By asellus

posted Jul 7, 2005 - 11:28 AM

Eh, how did it do that? I tried downloading a torrent and it completely saturates my upload speed (thus my download suffers). I hope Opera will add the config (on a proper GUI) so that I can change port and I can limit upload speed.

Score: 0

By NormAnZ

posted Jul 8, 2005 - 4:35 AM

I don't know how it does it. It just does. I haven't see anyone else who has had problems with it, so you are probably doing something weird :)

Score: 0

By harper

edited Jul 10, 2005 - 8:09 AM

Yeah but anyway I concur with him, they should allow more fine tuning, i.e. user control of the torrent speeds.

Score: 0

By jonspencerbx

edited Jul 7, 2005 - 7:53 AM

You actually CAN configure certain aspects (Bandwidth Restrictions, used ports, etc). How to do this is explained here: http://snapshot.opera.com/windows/w802p1.html

It's just not possible thru the UI yet (only by editing a simple INI file). Remember that this is a technical preview and that certain things probably will be added once 8.02 hits the beta or final stage.

Score: 0

By adimoga

edited Jul 7, 2005 - 4:09 AM

In my opinion they want to make it more popular due to BitTorrent. This step is a strategic move and it can double theyr revenue because i'm sure that everyone in here will try the new Opera and maybe buy it. This tehnique can be use by software producer who wants to optimize theyr products in order to be more popular which of course it brings us at the same cause 'money'. www.ironwall.ro

Score: 0

By imtoomuch

posted Jul 7, 2005 - 12:09 AM

This isn't a necessary feature. Since the majority of torrents are used for illegal purposes, I don't see why Opera would support them. Oh the irony when somebody with a pirated version of Opera is using Opera's built in torrent client to download a newer pirated version of Opera. It's not like torrent support is a huge thing for legal downloads.

Score: 0

By NormAnZ

posted Jul 7, 2005 - 4:25 AM

http://www.opera.com/pressreleases/en/2005/07/07/

"The massive response, with more than 100 downloads per second, dealt a technical knock-out to Opera's servers. With BitTorrent, users would have had an alternative download mechanism"

Score: 0

By foxtyke

posted Jul 6, 2005 - 9:11 PM

This is a great step forward for Opera in my opinion.

It would be great for browsers to include this in their feature arsenal as they do basic FTP functionality. That way, users who don't have dedicated programs can still have the ability to get the torrent while users who have dedicated clients can still use their dedicated clients.

Score: 0

By Kushan

posted Jul 6, 2005 - 7:18 PM

It's a step forward, but I dare say that a dedicated Bit torrent program would be better for an advanced user. Similar to FTP.

Score: 0

By ArabianNight

posted Jul 6, 2005 - 6:08 PM

I want that in firefox!

Score: 0

By SamppaX

posted Jul 6, 2005 - 5:35 PM

Nice one... But I use various browsers & BitComet for Torrents...

Let's see... let's see...

Score: 0

By Z_Man

posted Jul 6, 2005 - 4:56 PM

WTF? Why not just say this program does everything?! LOL. Firefox is still better. :-p

Score: 0

By donpacman

posted Jul 6, 2005 - 4:52 PM

I was Firefart now I'm Opera! :)

Score: 0

By HaST

posted Jul 6, 2005 - 3:43 PM

Firefox are implementing Bit Torrent too :)

Score: 0

By DiGiTaLFX

posted Jul 6, 2005 - 5:42 PM

wayhey!

Score: 0

By deadmonkey

edited Jul 6, 2005 - 2:25 PM

Interesting idea. I also hope that they enhance their RSS reader in 8.1 to add a bit more functionality.

Podcasting support would be nice also :)

Score: 0

By pjlasl

posted Jul 6, 2005 - 2:02 PM

Is Opera going to be sued for facilitating the distribution of copyrighted material, even if they didn't intend for their applicaiton to do so?
BitTorrent is here to stay!

Score: 0

By Mark Gillespie

posted Jul 6, 2005 - 7:02 PM

BitTorrent is used to distribute legitimate apps also... Many game demos and linux distros are distributed by BT.

Score: 0

By NyaR

posted Jul 6, 2005 - 2:18 PM

no of course not

Score: 0

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