Awareness and understanding of file sharing

Awareness and understanding levels of file sharing varied with each groups. There is a wide gap is the understanding and knowledge of file sharing activity between the tech-Savvy and less tech savvy participants. Many participants are not aware about the file sharing activity and their consequences. This section offers a detailed review into the awareness and understanding of file sharing.

Generation File-Share
In generation file-share the downloading levels were significantly low. Music file sharing among the participants was in low volumes. On the other hand, younger people aged 16 to 18 downloaded albums as they have started to build an individual taste. They download albums less frequently. Most of the participants were know aware of the technology and uploaded contents unknowingly when they used peer-to-peer file sharing sites. Few of them realized that contents were being uploaded. However, they found it difficult to explain the uploading process and failed to understand the implication of uploading contents.

Self-serving consumers
Customers will less techno local knowledge comprises Self-serving consumers. Their understanding about peer-to-peer uploading process was minimal and very basic. Most of the participants didn’t realise or understand that they were uploading contents when making use of file sharing websites and applications. Another interesting finding was that people whop were unaware of the uploading activity were uninformed how they could prevent the uploading. Some of the self serving consumers realized that the uploading was something in return for their download.

Collectors and Cybertechies
Collectors and Cybertechies on the other hand were fully aware of the uploading activities. They have good knowledge about peer-to-peer file sharing process and about content upload. Most of the Collectors and Cybertechies, didn’t have any problem with the upload. They allowed contents to be uploaded by other file sharers in the peer-to-peer application. They considered this as reciprocate to other file sharers. They were consciously uploading and sharing the files. This was done frequently and in large volume. Almost every day, they engaged in downloading and uploading activities.