Bittorrent Primer

[Polar_Bear_Gus]

I've seen a few people who are a little leery about using Bittorrent so I thought I'd help out.

Bittorrent is a fairly new file sharing program that's caught on really quickly. In order for you to download a file a few things have to happen.

First you need a Bittorrent Client, the original is available here:
http://bitconjurer.org/BitTorrent/

But I prefer a more advanced version called TorrentStorm available here:
http://www.torrentstorm.com/

Next you need to find the torrent file of something you want to download. Unlike other sharing programs you need to know what you want to download first, there's no searching. Usually the file will be posted on a web site. For Hip stuff here is a good place to start. For everything else try here:
http://www.suprnova.org/

That site is a little slow since just about everyone who uses Bittorrent is using it.

Once you download the torrent file (it generally has the extention .torrent) the you should just be able to double click on it and have it start downloading.

Now the way Bittorrent works is that there's a tracker that you talk to find out who is downloading the file and then you download little bits and pieces from everyone who's currently downloading (and has more than you) or people who've already downloaded the whole thing. This means that in order for this whole system to work once you've finished downloading the file you should keep the torrent running so that other people can download a little bit from you. It's up to you, but I usually leave it open until I've transfered as much as I downloaded.

More people who are behind firewalls and more advanced users can go here to learn more:
http://bitconjurer.org/BitTorrent/FAQ.html

If you guys have questions ask them here and I'll try to answer them.

[mrlayance]

"wicked awesome" in my best boston accent

Does TorrentStorm use JAVA, and how is it on system resources. I use BiTTornado. Just kills my system.

[Polar_Bear_Gus]

"wicked awesome" in my best boston accent

Oh, you mean "wik'd ah'sem".

Does TorrentStorm use JAVA, and how is it on system resources. I use BiTTornado. Just kills my system.

I'm pretty sure it doesn't since it doesn't look like a Java program, but they don't actually mention what it's written in on the site. There seems to be some relationship between TorrentStorm and BitTornado, but I haven't investigated it yet.

On my system (Athlon 850) I'll notice a slow down if I'm grabbing 7 or 8 torrents at the same time, but other wise I won't know it's running.

[bigA]

If you guys want to try it out I am seeding the DIVX of the DVD I made.
Go here and the link is on the bottom of the page
http://www.onegeeksopinion.com/thehip/index.php

[jen]

Man, I really wish my computer speakers weren't blown
I'll check it out tomorrow at work.. cool page setup, Biga

[highlander]

I use Azureus. Works great. It uses Java.

[chris]

Azureus for the Mac is "da bomb" (said in my best "Jay" voice)

[Jenna_Bird]

*nods in Silent Bobesque agreement*

-Jenna

[Stephen Dame]

I can't even spell it. What is it?

[chris]

Azureus is a client progam for accessing Bit Torrents. Here's the site: http://azureus.sourceforge.net/

Polar_Bear_Gus - there are many other, better sites that BT fans utilize. For live music, http://www.sharingthegroove.org/ is awesome.

Suprnova.org is popular because it provides access to copyrighted material like movies and computer software.

Sharing The Groove is about sharing live music - audio and video - copyright free.

Additionally, BT is great because it allows anyone to share large files with multiple people quickly.

I am going to be posting a Hip DVD Torrent within the next few weeks. If there is a certain show people are interested in, my list is in my sig. PM me, and I'll run a poll until next weekend.

[mymusic]

If you guys want to try it out I am seeding the DIVX of the DVD I made.
Go here and the link is on the bottom of the page
http://www.onegeeksopinion.com/thehip/index.php

Thanks for sharing.

As for what bittorrent software i use i perfer ABC

[chris]

Bittorrent is a fairly new file sharing program that's caught on really quickly.

Bit Torrent has been around for at least 3 years, which in computer terms is old. Here's an article from Wired Online - July 2001.

I'm not trying to condemn your effort to help people learn about this great technology, but a few of your facts are slightly skewed. And hey, did you forget about Mac users?

[Polar_Bear_Gus]

I'm not trying to condemn your effort to help people learn about this great technology, but a few of your facts are slightly skewed. And hey, did you forget about Mac users?

The version on bitconjuror.com has a version for Mac. I don't know anyone with a Mac who isn't using the reference version, so I can't offer any advice there.

[chris]

As noted in a few previous posts, you should let your Mac friends know about Azureus.

[bigA]

A quick tip.
Please leave your client window open after you have the complete file. This will help others complete their download quicker and help take the burden of the original seeder.

Thanks..