Learn How to Use Torrents to Quickly Download Files
BitTorrent
Torrents are a means of easily and quickly downloading files from the internet. It's usually faster than peer-to-peer programs like Limewire and Kazaa because it allows you to download the same file from multiple people at one time. It doesn't allow them to see what you have on your computer. But it does allow others to download the file from you. Torrent files are like empty boxes that know where their contents are.
They way it works is as follows: You download the torrent file (we'll get into where you find them later on) of a file you want to download and open it with a client program. That program connects to a tracker, which points it to other users who are downloading or have already completed downloading the file your torrent specify.
This means you have a fast, secure way to download. Instead of searching for files on Limewire and Kazaa and infecting your computer with viruses and spyware while trying to find the version of the new Nine Inch Nails song that isn't a fake, you quickly download it from the 3000 other people who thought the same thing. Of course, that's stealing, and bad taste besides. But I'm not gonna lecture anyone on copyright.
Finding Torrents
Finding torrents is the easiest part. You can search on a website like The Pirate Bay,ISOHunt, Demonoid , or ScrapeTorrent. Keep in mind that many of the torrents available on these sites are for copyrighted material. Once you have found a torrent of whatever it is you are looking for, you need a client to download it.
Downloading
There are a lot of different BitTorrent clients out there, and it will be up to you to figure out which one to use. Often the only difference between one client and another is just the visual interface. I use Azureus, but there are a lot of other ones out there. Another popular and Mac-only client is Transmission. Try Download.com to find other torrent clients. Sorry I can't recommend any Windows ones (besides maybe Azureus), but I just haven't used any any. If you find or know of any good clients for Windows, please let me know in the comments below.
That should get you started. Now here is a link to a torrent of one song each from each of the 739 bands playing at SXSW:
Torrent file - 3.1GB
This file is large, but in Azureus, you have the option of not downloading files you don't want. When you add the torrent to Azureus, it will pop up a window asking where you want to download it. The bottom half of the window shows the contents of the torretn. Uncheck anything you don't want. Leave a comment if this helps you out, or if you need to know how to get the files you downloaded into iTunes or whatever program you use.
Torrents are a means of easily and quickly downloading files from the internet. It's usually faster than peer-to-peer programs like Limewire and Kazaa because it allows you to download the same file from multiple people at one time. It doesn't allow them to see what you have on your computer. But it does allow others to download the file from you. Torrent files are like empty boxes that know where their contents are.
They way it works is as follows: You download the torrent file (we'll get into where you find them later on) of a file you want to download and open it with a client program. That program connects to a tracker, which points it to other users who are downloading or have already completed downloading the file your torrent specify.
This means you have a fast, secure way to download. Instead of searching for files on Limewire and Kazaa and infecting your computer with viruses and spyware while trying to find the version of the new Nine Inch Nails song that isn't a fake, you quickly download it from the 3000 other people who thought the same thing. Of course, that's stealing, and bad taste besides. But I'm not gonna lecture anyone on copyright.
Finding Torrents
Finding torrents is the easiest part. You can search on a website like The Pirate Bay,ISOHunt, Demonoid , or ScrapeTorrent. Keep in mind that many of the torrents available on these sites are for copyrighted material. Once you have found a torrent of whatever it is you are looking for, you need a client to download it.
Downloading
There are a lot of different BitTorrent clients out there, and it will be up to you to figure out which one to use. Often the only difference between one client and another is just the visual interface. I use Azureus, but there are a lot of other ones out there. Another popular and Mac-only client is Transmission. Try Download.com to find other torrent clients. Sorry I can't recommend any Windows ones (besides maybe Azureus), but I just haven't used any any. If you find or know of any good clients for Windows, please let me know in the comments below.
That should get you started. Now here is a link to a torrent of one song each from each of the 739 bands playing at SXSW:
Torrent file - 3.1GB
This file is large, but in Azureus, you have the option of not downloading files you don't want. When you add the torrent to Azureus, it will pop up a window asking where you want to download it. The bottom half of the window shows the contents of the torretn. Uncheck anything you don't want. Leave a comment if this helps you out, or if you need to know how to get the files you downloaded into iTunes or whatever program you use.
Labels: Tutorials
This entry was posted by Power Rambling, on
Monday, February 26, 2007.
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