Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 6 hrs ago
Private torrent trackers help users preserve hard-to-find media
A Canadian writer tracked down a rare 1990s documentary called *Memory and Imagination*, about the Library of Congress.
She could not find it on streaming services, YouTube, pirate sites or in public libraries across North America.
After finding a DVD for sale through an online marketplace for historical media, she bought it and uploaded a copy to a private torrent tracker.
Private trackers are invite-based communities that share files using BitTorrent, with rules and restricted access that keep them out of public view.
Some users seek out rare films and recordings to help preserve them, while others use trackers to get entertainment such as movies, TV shows and video games.
The same networks can support preservation and copyright infringement, and users acknowledge that conflict.
The story describes these communities and their users, but does not say what will happen to the documentary or the tracker next.
Private torrent trackers help some users find and preserve media that is difficult to access elsewhere.
Jane, a Canadian writer in her 30s, searched for the rare 1990s documentary Memory and Imagination.
After finding a copy for sale on a small online marketplace for historical media, she bought it and uploaded it to a private tracker.
The documentary includes interviews with Steve Jobs and Julia Child and was not available through the public library catalogs Jane searched.
Other tracker users seek entertainment or communities built around shared interests.
- Who
- Jane, a Canadian writer in her 30s, and other users of private torrent trackers.
- What
- Jane found and uploaded a copy of Memory and Imagination to help preserve it.
- When
- Not stated.
- Where
- The search and sharing took place online. Jane searched library catalogs in North America and found the DVD for sale on a small online marketplace.
- Why
- Jane wanted to help ensure the documentary would be preserved and shared with others.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Jane searched auction sites and library catalogs for a copy of Memory and Imagination.
Jane found the documentary for sale on a small online marketplace, bought it and uploaded it to a private tracker.
- Documentary
- Memory and Imagination, a rare 1990s film about the Library of Congress
- Jane
- Canadian writer in her 30s
- Subjects interviewed
- Steve Jobs and Julia Child
- DVD location
- Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt
- Copy found
- A small online marketplace for historical media
1 source
What people are saying
I am ethically conflicted about piracy. I often feel guilty about it.
share it with other people to help ensure it would be preserved into the future
This obscure movie I’m looking for is only available in the Library of Alexandria!
My goal initially was to have a better source for video games