<p>I don't think I've ever ran into a such a large group of people that are this dense before. If you guys represent the cream of the crop of CA high schools I'm not worried in the least...</p>
<p>Simple Answer: Don't infringe copyright.
Better Answer: Infringe copyright only if you're capable of getting away with it, or can handle the consequences.</p>
<p>Now, if you're asking if its okay to use Bittorrent to download LEGAL items (GPL'd software for example) I'm sure there's no issue with that.</p>
<p>Actually, there's a clause against operating "unauthorized servers" in the use agreement, and peer to peer networking applications can be considered servers. I'll bet, though, that you'd get a warning before any punishment as long as you're not infringing copyright. It might not even be a problem if you keep your bandwidth low.</p>
<p>A torrent client is not a server. The act of uploading does not make a client a server...</p>
<p>That clause is more than likely in reference to a LAMP server or what have you. Now, if it specifically states that their is a bandwidth cap, that'll I'll believe. </p>
<p>Listen, if it is impossible for major ISP's to filter P2P traffic, what hope does UCSD have? Correctly configured, the most they'd ever be able to detect is a large amount of bandwidth being used. Like I said, unless they say you're limited to X amount of bandwidth, I can't see it causing a problem.</p>
<p>You're right that the act of uploading does not make a client a server. However, a torrent client serves hosted data on demand to other clients, and that does make it a server. If you initiate an upload you're a user. If a remote client initiates an upload from your machine then I think that makes you a server.</p>
<p>Ok, if you're gonna look at that way, then everyone's machine is a server.</p>
<p>That fancy macbook most people are touting around nowadays? That's a server. It hosts remote desktop services for anyone to access (given the proper credentials of course). Hell, windows is running quite a few services by default that would qualify it as a server by your definition.</p>
<p>Fact of the matter, you're going by the letter of the law, rather than the spirit of it. UCSD doesn't want you running your anime fan club website on their dime, and off their network. </p>
<p>So, just be as clandestine as possible, and everything should be good.</p>
<p>You can go about this by encrypting all your network traffic, and/or not running DC++ hubs for the entire campus to access.</p>
<p>You guys are funny. Everyone's freaking out about this.</p>
<p>I used limewire and torrents everyday for the two years I lived on campus. I got caught about midway through my first year while using utorrent. Your first offense is essentially a warning. All I had to do was go to ACS and they checked my computer for spyware and stuff like that.</p>
<p>No big deal.</p>
<p>After getting caught I simply switched to a private tracker. I never had a problem after that. Although using a private tracker isn't completely safe, it was enough to prevent me from getting caught the next year and a half.</p>
<p>I never had a problem using limewire. Just make sure that "sharing" isn't enabled. You'll be fine as long as you're not uploading anything. That's where they get you. When you get caught what you actually get in trouble for is the distribution of copyrighted material (i.e., uploading copyrighted material to others), not necessarily downloading it.</p>
<p>It's easy to set limewire to not upload any files by simply clicking a few options. When using torrents however, most trackers have a set upload requirement to prevent any "leechers" so you must upload in order to download. And this is where your chance of getting caught goes up.</p>
<p>So I would say go with a private tracker and use limewire without any of the "file sharing" settings. I made it through with no problems that way. And I downloaded a ****load. I remember one time I left utorrent on for the night and woke up to find out that I had uploaded 25 gigs overnight. Ha, that's not too good when you're trying to stay under the radar. But I never got caught. So just use a private tracker. </p>
<p>Otherwise you'll end up like my friend who had to make a +$3,000 settlement payment to the RIAA hahaha. That dumbass. They got him for the distribution of over 400 songs through limewire. The notable part there is that it was for the "distribution" of the material, not the download.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>what's a private tracker, 16399?</p></li>
<li><p>can someone explain how the school's network works? i don't understand how they can locate a specific person's computer/laptop and its activity. even if they can get a hold of the IP address that's using their network that wouldn't locate the computer. you don't register your IP with the school, do you? that'd be ridiculous. i don't get it.</p></li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li><p>Really? You can't google for that info? It's not some crazy secret, its public knowledge.</p></li>
<li><p>I think they make you register your MAC (not apple) address with them. So unless you know how to spoof a MAC, they can absolutely track you down.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>The school's servers issue you an IP address. To access the internet you'll either have to, as anchor mentioned, register your MAC address to your name or validate your identity with login information when you access the network.</p>