27 replies to this topic

[Maximum-Can]

Torrenting is a wonderful tool and very handy for transferring large files without worrying about the connection getting interrupted. Lots of people are afraid of the terminology and actually using torrents; I'm hoping to make it seem simple, which in reality, it is.






It's pretty easy. There's all kind of terminology but you pick it up fast. I won't confuse you though.

1) Download a "client", aka a program that will facilitate torrent downloading.

I use uTorrent (click for the download page). It's nothing special and that's why I like it. Low on resources, low on size; efficient.

2) Download torrents and open them with the "client" (uTorrent).

This will prompt you with a window with checkboxes. You can select and deselect things in the torrent. Usually that includes "uploaded by" text files and things that I just don't care about.

A good website for torrents that you've heard about is thepiratebay.org - lots of torrents, easy-to-use search.

3) Find where you downloaded the file. Voila!

I think you can choose the location in the settings tab in uTorrent. Mine downloads files to My Documents > Downloads (which is a pretty clever name).



Things to know and courteousy:

TTK
1) Seeders and Leechers. These are just terms that mean "people who have the complete torrent and are uploading files" and "people who are still downloading files but can upload" (respectively).

You may find when you open a torrent that the Seeds column in uTorrent says 0. That means nobody is uploading the file at the time and you can't download it until someone decides to upload it. If the number in Seeds is higher than the number in Leeches, then you'll get a good download speed. You upload files from your computer, not a website, so the efficiency of a seed is limited by their internet connection. In general, people make and seed torrents with DSL and better.

2) Don't worry about making your own torrents.

They're very efficient for transferring files, but unless you have something very special that you can't find, someone has probably made it already.

3) Download something and let the computer sit.

Chances are you won't get the file in less than an hour, so download it and do something else while you wait. Also, while torrenting, your internet will significantly slow down because of the torrent - that's just because it's downloading something. As a rule, only torrent something when you're not planning on doing anything for the next few hours. The best time, IMO, is just before bed, and leave the computer on.

4) Run a scan on the file before you open it.

Virus, malware, spyware, whatever - it might be in the torrent. Never trust anyone! Always scan the files you download as soon as you can.

Courteousy
1) After you download a torrent, SEED!!

Rule number 1 and the biggest of them all. When you finish downloading something, you immediately start uploading it. When you're not using the internet for anything, be sure to seed the torrent. You can stop seeding at any time by pushing the stop button.

2) Thank the uploader, if you can.

3) Scan your own files before making a torrent.

You never know.

4) Don't overdo it... or upload a file for too long.

Anomalistic stretches of uploading or massive quantities of downloading can slow your internet connection significantly even when you're not downloading. Also, they make you a target for the FBI. And that's never good.



Hope this helps.

[mnbasdpoi123]

thank you! lol this was on pirate bay "how to download a torrent" but this is very nice.

[Ziveeman]

Be sure to get Peer Guardian too if you want to torrent stuff.

http://phoenixlabs.org/pg2/

http://en.wikipedia....i/Peer_guardian

[Maximum-Can]

Never used one. Write a summary and I'll add it to the guide and maybe try it out when I get my internet back

[Florburz]

I will be the carrier of multiple computer viruses now.

[akiratheoni]

zyzzyxsyzygy, on Apr 26 2009, 09:29 PM, said:

I will be the carrier of multiple computer viruses now.

The best part about torrenting is that if there is a virus or it's a bad file, people will post in the comments of the torrent.

So another good tip is if you find a popular file, check the comments before downloading so you know if there are any issues with it like missing passwords for RARs or if it's a virus or whatnot.

[mnbasdpoi123]

that's true. and if no one seeded it then it's not good

[BassNazi]

also, dont download anything copyrighted! right guys? dont want any lawsuits on our asses right? right? right? seed stuff that noone needs.

[spork985]

This guide could be expanded on a LOT for example how to properly configure the client and instead of laughing at FBI comments, suggest use of the client where you won't get caught such as private sites.

Actually reading over it a second time, this guide is really bad...

[Maximum-Can]

Torrenting made simple.

Not torrenting made fucking complicated.

[Florburz]

Hey a new poster!

Now I can torrent all day long, that will be my excuse for laggy connections.

[Manish]

He's a new ancient poster.

[spork985]

Maximum-Can, on 05 July 2009 - 09:30 AM, said:

Torrenting made simple.

Not torrenting made fucking complicated.

You didnt even explain anything, you just threw out useless words that are so simple they dont help with anything.

[Maximum-Can]

Why don't you write a guide then? Mine helped people already. All you're doing is complaining.

Also,

spork985, on 05 July 2009 - 03:33 PM, said:

You didnt even explain anything, you just threw out useless words that are so simple they dont help with anything.

this is unfathomably wrong. You know very well that everything explained has a purpose in this guide. How are any of the terms I've helped simplify useless?

Also also I'm not going to respond to you until you answer these questions.

[spork985]

Actually, I would be more than happy to write a detailed guide for Zantherus as soon as I get time.

here's an example: "1) Seeders and Leechers. These are just terms that mean "people who are uploading files" and "people who are downloading files" (respectively)."
That's wrong. There are times when a leecher can be a seeder and it's important to know the difference between the client's version of a seeder and the trackers version.

[Maximum-Can]

Oh come off it. That's so archaic. I think that once you get set up - which is pretty much what this guide is made for - you realize as you're downloading that you're uploading at the same time.

So please, write a new guide. But don't complain to me until you've made one.

Edited by Maximum-Can, 05 July 2009 - 04:01 PM.

[spork985]

I'm not complaining to you, I'm complaining to the person who wrote the guide, all you did was copy and paste it.

[Maximum-Can]

Ok now I know you're trolling.

[Manish]

spork985, on 05 July 2009 - 04:02 PM, said:

I'm not complaining to you, I'm complaining to the person who wrote the guide, all you did was copy and paste it.

lol wut

[Temerity]

n00b HaxxoR