| For people who live in rural or remote parts of | | | | it is done using peer-to-peer software. |
| the country where DSL and cable Internet | | | | The latter method of file sharing is especially |
| services are not available, satellite Internet | | | | popular on college campuses, where everyone is |
| broadband has been a true lifesaver. Advances in | | | | logged onto the same network. It is also quite |
| satellite technology over recent years have made | | | | controversial, particularly when it comes to the |
| it possible for rural residents to get access to the | | | | legality of sharing copyrighted material. If you are |
| same broadband connection speeds as people | | | | thinking about taking advantage of the fast |
| living in more densely populated areas. These | | | | connection speeds of your DSL, cable, or satellite |
| connection speeds, of course, brings with them | | | | broadband service to file share copyrighted |
| the ability to do a number of things that are not | | | | material (by either downloading or uploading said |
| possible or efficient to do with the slow | | | | material), you should know that doing so without |
| connection speeds that come with your typical | | | | permission is illegal. Since the person downloading is |
| dial-up service. | | | | not paying for this material, or is not paying the |
| These things include everything from checking | | | | proper person for this material, this is actually |
| email more quickly, to streaming video and music | | | | considered stealing. |
| content, to downloading software updates, to | | | | What is not illegal is using file sharing techniques to |
| working and earning a degree and shopping from | | | | share material that is not copyrighted, or material |
| home, to chatting with friends and family on the | | | | to which you own the rights. And a lot of |
| other side of the world using VoIP software like | | | | non-professional and hopeful artists are using such |
| Skype, to file sharing. Regardless of whether it is | | | | forums for publicity reasons, to get their own |
| DSL, cable, or satellite Internet service that you | | | | work out there and be heard or seen. Thus, if |
| use, with broadband connection speeds, you may | | | | you are an aspiring artist, having a DSL, cable, or |
| feel like you can do just about anything you want. | | | | satellite broadband connection can be good for |
| And, while this may be at least partially true, you | | | | your career. |
| must remember that not all of these things that | | | | When it comes to file sharing, really the most |
| you may want to do are things that you should | | | | important thing to remember is to be cautious. |
| do. This is especially important to keep in mind | | | | Keep in mind that if you can be held responsible |
| when it comes to file sharing. | | | | for illegally distributing as well as downloading |
| File sharing allows people to access or download | | | | copyrighted material, regardless of whether you |
| files from other people's computers over the | | | | are breaking the law knowingly or unintentionally. |
| Internet. It is a cooperative process that depends | | | | So, by all means, take advantage of the |
| on people linking into a network to post or upload | | | | lightning-fast connection speeds available these |
| their own files so that they are available for other | | | | days through DSL, cable, and satellite Internet |
| people to download. Sometimes this is done | | | | services, but limit yourself to legal activities. |
| through a social networking site, and other times | | | | |