Tired of downloading or sharing files and music inside your dark and cramped room? Well thanks to Aram Bartholl, now you can do it outside. Bartholl has developed “Dead Drops,” an anonymous, offline, peer to peer file-sharing network that can be accessed in public spaces. How can this happen you ask? USB flash drives are literally embedded within walls (as seen in the picture to the side), curbs and anywhere accessible in public. You simply just plug your laptop into the public space and you can instantly share your favorite data or files with everyone. Not only can anyone participate in the act of sharing, but people are also encouraged to create their own “Dead Drops,” with a set of “how to” instructions available online.
I can’t speak from experience since I have yet to use it, but one concern that sticks out is virus protection. It’s the same problem with glory holes: you don’t know whose on the other side and what they’ve been doing beforehand (not that I’ve had experience with that either…). But besides that, it seems like a fun and unique way to file-share. You can check out existing drop spots at the locations listed below. The “Dead Drops’” site also has more pictures of the drop sites in action.
87 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn, NY (Makerbot)
Empire Fulton Ferry Park, Brooklyn, NY (Dumbo)
235 Bowery, NY (New Museum)
Union Square, NY (Subway Station 14th St)
540 West 21st Street, NY (Eyebeam)
[via DigitalMusicNews.com and DeadDrops.com]
