TV episodes and videos

[shlonger]

Not sure if this is the right forum or not but....

Now that I've got broadband (ADSL) access, I want to download my favourite Simpsons episodes and movie clips, etc. Anyone know where I can go to find this sort of thing?

[Budfred]

http://www.google.com/

[shlonger]

Thanks for the reply. Actually, what I meant was more along the lines of a file-sharing program/site.

And while I'm at it, what are the opinions (of those who wish to reply) of the virus-related concerns of using various file-sharing apps? I was thinking of using either bearshare or WIN MX. That kinda thing.....

And if I download directly from a site found through google, how do I make sure I'm not importing a virus along with it?

Anybody?

Bueller?

[Abbadon]

Originally posted by shlonger
Thanks for the reply. Actually, what I meant was more along the lines of a file-sharing program/site.

And while I'm at it, what are the opinions (of those who wish to reply) of the virus-related concerns of using various file-sharing apps? I was thinking of using either bearshare or WIN MX. That kinda thing.....

And if I download directly from a site found through google, how do I make sure I'm not importing a virus along with it?


None of those virus concerns should be a problem, since downloading episodes and the like is illegal and shouldn't be done. (In fact, even when using kazaa or winmx for legitimate purposes (downloading freeware or open source stuff) I have caught a few virussen trying to sneek in! :eek: )

However

Should you want to do it, then a good and up to date virusscanner should be enough protection for any download (from site or peer). AVG is a great free antivirusprogram that springs to mind.

[Budfred]

Actually, if you use a good antivirus it will probably protect you from most viruses, but it won't protect you from spyware, trojans, keyloggers, hijackers and various other malware.... Here is an article about file sharing programs that might be helpful:

http://www.spywareinfo.com/articles/p2p/

[YODA74]

since downloading episodes and the like is illegal

Do you have a vcr at home? there is nothing illegal about recording a favorit tv episode as long as it is not for re-sale. If it were then half of america if not all would be in jail.I would really be surprised to see a case where someone was actually arrested for downloading a Simpsons episode,

[shlonger]

budfred thanks, excellent article. That's the sort of thing I was looking for. How accurate do you think the statements in it might be?

As for abbadon's morals (or is that 'ethics'???), I already have my own straight in my head. No problems there but thanks for the advice. Since I don't know better and it's easy to get the tone wrong in forums, I'll take it you were mentioning it as a sort-of "disclaimer" rather than as moralising about my net-practices??

Any other comments on the ins and outs of nasties sliding in along with Homer and Bart, please post it here. I'm no expert and appreciate all the good oil I can get.

[Budfred]

The SWI site is one of the top spyware/malware fighter sites on the web, so I trust what comes from it. I am biased, however, since I am also a volunteer there....:) I think you will find those recommendations to be sound nonetheless. Keep in mind that file sharing is more likely to lead to problems no matter what you use to do it...

[Abbadon]

As far as I know, duplicating any copyrighted material is illegal, wether for resale or not, except of course for the whole "fair use" thing, which is a subject that gets discussed enough about anyway. I might be wrong on that score and most likely, it differs from country to country, so whatever.

It was however my impression that on the pcguide forums, we generaly don't tell people where to find illegal copies of stuff and since Shlongers question (in his first post) was:

"Anyone know where I can go to find this sort of thing?"

I thought it a good idea to remark on the illegality-factor (if, like I said I'm not sure, there is any on this particular kind of filesharing).


I'm not excaclty inocent in the department of downloading the odd tidbit myself ;), so far be it my task to moralize, ethicalise or preach to people.

[shlonger]

Okay. I got this (http://www.musicdownloadcenter.com/index.aspx?keyword=lxctxt01&cxc=57670) site from another thread. It's called MusicDownloadCentre.com but I don't see it mentioned in the clean or infected list.

Any opinions out there???

[YODA74]

we generaly don't tell people where to find illegal copies of stuff

Your correct but there is a fair use law as you mentioned..But usually around here people ask about kazaa and everyone cringes and then suggests winmx or bearshare which in my opinion is just as bad you can get viruses from these just like any p2p sharing and are just as illegal.And it's nothing to get upset about,They either need to make all file sharing illegal or get the he&^ over it.The way it's going there trying to make everything illegal. Personnaly I'm not the pc police and am not going to act as such if a moderator doesn't like the link it's there job to delete it and advise against it.

[ixl]

I have to mostly agree with Abbadon here. I don't mind if people want to share information about sites that have at least some tangibly legitimate purpose. But please don't talk about methods for pirating or "sharing" (ahem) copyrighted materials on the site... Thanks.

Charles

[shlonger]

Thanks Yoda, I agree.

And if the "rules" about what we can discuss on this forum aren't "in my face" then how am I supposed to know? As far as I'm concerned it was a legitimate question. I'm sure most of the experts around here are very accustomed to working outside the square and it's these sort of people who probably devised the process of file-sharing, originally. Is this a bad thing?

Anyway sorry to go against the code and thanks to those with the answers.

[superdrumr]

I'm all for the protection of copyrights and do not condone downloading or pirating materials, but since simpsons episodes aren't available from any legit source (except seasons 1-3 which are on DVD) and many other TV shows have no legit access source, i feel it is perfectly acceptable to download them.
That being said, and me being a huge simpsons fan, Kazaa Lite K++ provides an excellent ad-free program for getting the episodes. Just make sure you scan each file with your antivirus first