I just wanted to thank you -- I'd never heard of freenet. I know sometimes "how is this different than x" is not considered constructive to some, these posts genuinely pique my interest. Anyone who is interested - https://freenetproject.org/ & http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freenet
edit: "While Freenet provides an HTTP interface for browsing freesites, it is not a proxy for the World Wide Web; Freenet can only be used to access content that has been previously inserted into the Freenet network. In this way, it is more similar to Tor's hidden services than to anonymous proxy software like Tor's proxy."
This doesn't even seem to be anywhere near as advanced as Freenet.
To call it a "new Internet" is a huge stretch and an insult to actual projects that are dedicated to building a successor that extends the present infrastructure, like cjdns (which itself originated from Kademlia, largely known for being used in the eMule network).
I only remember to check in on freenet when stories like this one pop up, so I was very surprised to see that the project is sporting a healthy 5-figure bank account. I had been used to seeing it in the vicinity of $500 or maybe $2000, for years at a time.
It is great to see organizations step up and support a project like freenet, despite the realities of what a truly anonymous network could mean in terms of content and behavior. Maybe a separately funded independent security audit is in order though.
edit: "While Freenet provides an HTTP interface for browsing freesites, it is not a proxy for the World Wide Web; Freenet can only be used to access content that has been previously inserted into the Freenet network. In this way, it is more similar to Tor's hidden services than to anonymous proxy software like Tor's proxy."