Denmark-based Tribler is a BitTorrent client that works on a recommendation system similar to Last.fm for finding new media based on your downloading history. The non-profit group has caught the eye of several researchers, broadcasters, and the Dutch government, enticing twenty scientists working on Tribler and $8 million in government funding.
Tribler, a joint research project from Delft University of Technology and the VU University Amsterdam, is looking to be the ultimate aggregator that leverages the community as well as the wealth of content available on the net. That includes YouTube videos, and more content from other sources will be incorporated into Tribler's service in the future. Tribler can be used for generic Torrent downloads and users P2P to discover other clients for exchanging metadata about downloaded files.
Applying this longtail business approach to a system of peer-networking that already exhibits an interest in longtail content should result in one interesting research project. Tribler doesn't expect to have too much trouble regarding pirated content either, and is actually getting ready for a test that involves video on-demand services for the Netherlands Public Broadcasting.
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