Peer-to-peer network
In computer science peer-to-peer networking is a technical concept based on sharing, that can be used for tools for sharing of digital content, ressources like internet bandwith and more. Peer-to-peer ("P2P") networks consist of individual nodes (the "peers") that (- in distinction from "traditional" concepts -) play essentially equal roles as they are servers and clients at the same time.
Peer-to-peer technology is a common example for collaboration technology and the spirit of sharing connected to the internet in general.
file sharing
A prominent use is file sharing. There are several important file sharing peer-to-peer networks that are used by many people and actually generate most of the data traffic on the internet.
important networks
censorship, anonymity
Other prominent uses of peer-to-peer technology are the application for create censorship resistant networks and for anonymous internet access/communication.