Your Computer as a Free Server?

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 12:54am

There is a free browser software, Opera Unite, that is supposed to also turn your computer into a server if you want.

This means direct sharing of files without using an intermediary site, for one thing.

It's supposed to decentralize the web.

I'm wondering about the ramifications of this in getting around fascist government interference with communications via web like what happened in Iran.
Opera Unite beta launched

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 12:56am

And here's the software.
Opera Unite

[SNAFU]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 1:40am

Do you really want to open your personal computer and files even more for general perusal?

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 1:46am

I don't know enough about it to understand how it works.

I'm just investigating something new; I have no reason to use it.

Just wondering what its potential uses are.

[latitudex1]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 12:17pm

"Do you really want to open your personal computer and files even more for general perusal?"

Of course, you have full control over who, what, or if anyone sees the content on your computer. You can even control whether or not search engines index your special sites.

"I don't know enough about it to understand how it works.

I'm just investigating something new; I have no reason to use it.

Just wondering what its potential uses are."

With the current applications provided by Opera, you can chat, share music, photos, or general files, build your own little website, and more. All from your personal computer, so now you don't have to depend on websites like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. After that big T-Mobile Sidekick data crash, having something that doesn't depend on a "cloud" like Opera Unite is a great piece of mind.

And of course, you get the standalone Opera browser as a nice little bonus if you primarily use Unite.

[Parks]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 12:21pm

Does this mean I could buy a domain name and use it as my server?

[latitudex1]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 12:35pm

"Does this mean I could buy a domain name and use it as my server?"

I wouldn't recommend it if you're trying to make a site like Broadway World, because the Web Server application doesn't support PHP and I don't believe it allows you to use your own domain name (but you could always redirect to your Unite site). You also have to keep Opera running 24/7 or Unite disconnects. And remember, Opera 10.10 is only a beta; major things could change that affect your website at the drop of a hat.

But it's perfectly fine for a simple geocites like website or for a test site that you can host straight from your computer.

[Parks]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 12:37pm

It slowed down my computer a LOT and ended up freezing within a few minutes. I'll wait for the final version to come out :-/. Thank you for sharing though!! I'm definitely interested.