torrent?

[FAR]

I'm sorry if I may seem to be stupid but I've run into a couple of these kinds of files and I dunno what the hack it is. What is a torrent file? How can I use it to download things?

[PsyMan]

Torrent files are files containing info. There are programs that use these files in order to find people having the (real) files that the torrent files represent and help them share these files with others. So torrent programs can be considered as file sharing programs.

[Clements]

/Moved to TechTalk (probably more relevant here)

You need to use an application such as Bittorrent to use torrents, but there are many other programs you can use.

[FAR]

Thanks to both of you. I've already started my download but it is incredibly slow. Does it depend on the server's speed? I've a connection of 384kbit/s.

[PsyMan]

In order to download a file you connect to other computers, the other computers may have slower connections that's why it may be slow.

[FAR]

And why/what does the other computer(s) upload from my computer?

[Clements]

You are uploading the partially completed file to the other users (you are also downloading partially completed file(s) from te other users too, as well as kind people who have completed the download but have not closed the window.)

[FAR]

This file-sharing system is genius, however, not fast.

[Clements]

It's fast for me (I download roughly at the fastest speed my connection is capable of), it just depends on who you are connected to - if a file is rare with few people downloading it, it'll be slow.

[smegforbrain]

The more peers, the better the odds (obviously) of faster downloads.

The saying goes that the faster you can upload, the faster you can download as well. Personally, I never allow more than 8k upload per torrent (I can get around 28k max upload), but have downloaded torrents in excess of 180k.

But if you're going to use torrents, please don't be a leech and make sure you get a download/upload ratio of 1:1 (meaning, you download 100meg, you also upload 100meg) before stopping the torrent.

[revl8er]

Torrents are great when downloading files because it's more convenient than using other p2p systems. They are also faster if you connect to the right people.

[ggab]

in my opinion, the best BitTorrent program is: BitTornado v0.3.2
from
http://bittornado.com/download.html

[FAR]

What the...? I've finished downloading the file but it is still uploading!!

[Quvack]

Yeah it'll do that until you click on finish, just their way of keeping the network going :)

[FAR]

aha! I've said once this system is genius! :P

[smegforbrain]

Yeah, you have to remember: the whole system is based on people willing to upload as well as download. :)

[FAR]

Yeah, you have to remember: the whole system is based on people willing to upload as well as download. :)

You're right, man. I want to upload but it's goddamn complicated. I've read the FAQ but the technical terms make me dizzy. Can you shortly tell the procedure in a simplified way?

[Qun Mang]

Bittorrent is a nice concept, but unfortunately I can't use it. Everytime I try my internet connection goes dead after a little while (15min-1 hour). I have to turn my cablemodem off and on and restart the OS to get it back. Seems I'm not the only Comcast customer with this problem either according to the Comcast help site.

[FAR]

Try using another torrent software.

[smcd]

You should continue to share a file after it's completed in order to let others get it too. If you cut the file off immediately after getting it 100% this is known as "leeching" and you become a hated member of bittorrent sites :P

You can easily CONTINUE to upload a file you're downloading, just leave that file/window going after it's reached 100%. As far as creating a torrent goes and such, yeah it's a little different. I use ABC, it has an option for "create torrent" then you'd just need to upload it to a tracker site (or host your own tracker?) beware though, the latest version of ABC the client itself has introduced some bugs, i might roll back to a prior version due to them...

[smegforbrain]

Qun - I've heard about the problem you are having as well, and, although I am also a Comcast customer, I can offer you no solutions.

There are forums out there that can probably help you though.

My client of choice is TorrentStorm, with Azureus to "pick and choose" (since that's not supported very well in TS).

[Qun Mang]

I looked into it some more and I read on dslreports forums that bittorrent stresses the modem for some reason, probably due to the heavy upload traffic (guess). Certain models can handle it though so some on broadband don't have the problem, at least as bad. I read where someone put a heatsink on one of the chips inside the modem which dramatically improved his bittorrent experience. Mine is rented so I can't do that. I suppose I could buy my own modem but as I am moving soon that would not be wise since I don't know what broadband services are available wherever I move to.

[revl8er]

I have gotten little problems while using torrentstorm when I was on a dsl connection in my dorm room. Like smegforbrain said, you should try another version of bittorrent.

[Qun Mang]

Next time I see something I want through bittorrent I'll try Azureus and see what happens. I have it installed but I've been using Torrentstorm since I learned how to use it first. The heat problem sounds more likely to me though because after the connection goes dead and I reset the modem and computer, subsequent bittorrent sessions are much shorter, anywhere from 5-15min. before it happens again like the modem hasn't had time to cool down.