He asserted that shutting down Napster wouldn't change much, because change is coming too fast and too broadly for the existing music industry not to be overwhelmed. Because of these characteristics, Gnutella has as yet unsurpassed potential for free exchange of information. Gnutella cannot be blocked by the traditional means used against Napster. Each user is connected to other users, who in turn pass along the other hosts on the network. It is far more versatile than Napster, since it can transfer .zip, .mpeg, .asf, .mov, .qt, .hqx, .exe, .jar, .sit, or any other type of file users put online.
Every user is both a host and a client.
Because of this, it is near impossible for ISPs, lawyers, governments, or hackers to disable the network. There are no passwords, no fees, and no rules. Each GnutellaNet client can share files, search for files, and download files from any other user. What will truly be fascinating is how these record company fat cats eventually start coming around to the new ways and find ways to make it work for them. Artists like Chuck D, Limp Bizkit, and Ice-T are the smart ones because they've recognized the potential in these new mediums and found ways to use them to their advantage.