The problem is getting people to seed the downloads. While the ftp is usually full, the download can actually go faster if 5 people were to seed the all_fs2_fvp_files.zip I have on eMule.
My bandwidth is pretty limited as it stands. I was actually mulling over setting up a file hosting server form
www.asmallorange.com with 200GB of bandwidth a month for 20USD, and getting people to pay for their bandwidth usage to cover the cost.
However, that is pushing the legal side more than the FTP currently is, and could get me intro trouble I don't want. But I honestly don't think interplay would bother getting on our backs. There is no chance of them making a profit off of FS2 anytime in the future, so its not really cutting into any profit margins.
I dunno, what are your thoughts ppl? With 200GB of bandwidth 267 people could download the 750MB package (or we can host a flly installable SCP version like I had though about a year ago). That comes to 8cents USD per download of 750MB (10cents per GB).
The system would be rather complex, but I have some good ideas for how such a system could work (and how it could pay for other file distribution.) People would just pay for a certain bandwidth quota and be able to grab however many files thay want.
Or, we just do it on a voluntary basis, whill will recoup some cost, but not all.
Anyays, just some Ideas I was thinking about again. I may be able to set this up during the summer.
The alternative to get around this is, as was said above, to get approval and to go with a host like gamespy that will distribute for free.
Anyways, just throwing ideas around.
Cheers!