View Full Version : What the hell is a bit torrent. . .
munch
01-10-2006, 05:16 PM
and how do I use them? Will someone explain to me the purpose and function. I've tried to look it up but just don't understand.
zewone
01-10-2006, 05:17 PM
What the fuck is the internet?
pimpinc333
01-10-2006, 05:19 PM
What the fuck is the internet?
Inter....what?
seanw
01-10-2006, 05:25 PM
It's a way to download files in a distributed fashion. Rather than you download it from me, and that's it, everybody downloads from everybody. So let's say that 10 people want to download a file from me. I "seed" that file, and everyone starts to take it. Rather than each of them having their uploading speed constricted to 10% of the bandwidth I have to offer, the downloaders simultaneously upload to one another what they've already downloaded. Now everyone's downloads and uploads are maximized, and downloading is much faster.
Pancake Rabbit
01-10-2006, 05:38 PM
Bit torrent is a glorious place where everything you ever wanted is free, even koochies.
torrentspy.com
TimPV3
01-10-2006, 05:43 PM
What the fuck is the internet?
I laughed when I read this, hard.
Vinny
01-10-2006, 05:57 PM
It's a way to download files in a distributed fashion. Rather than you download it from me, and that's it, everybody downloads from everybody. So let's say that 10 people want to download a file from me. I "seed" that file, and everyone starts to take it. Rather than each of them having their uploading speed constricted to 10% of the bandwidth I have to offer, the downloaders simultaneously upload to one another what they've already downloaded. Now everyone's downloads and uploads are maximized, and downloading is much faster.
Not necessarily true... a lot of people just download whatever they want and then stop sharing with an excuses like: my connection is too slow or nobody was uploading form me.
It's a great concept but usually, it takes a long time. But a lot of sites now track what you download and share- and the leechers only get bandwidth when it's available while people who share get good bandwidth.
I think the only real purpose of BitTorrent is for porn and illegally distributed software though... I haven't seen it used for anything else.
b0bx13
01-10-2006, 06:10 PM
I think the only real purpose of BitTorrent is for porn and illegally distributed software though... I haven't seen it used for anything else.
That's only what the RIAA/MPAA want you to think. I've downloaded plenty of legit files, whether it's public domain music or a game demo or large patch (such as BF2).
hiccupleftovers
01-10-2006, 10:07 PM
What the fuck is the internet?
:rofl: Good one. Laughed very hard at this.
hiccupleftovers
01-10-2006, 10:08 PM
That's only what the RIAA/MPAA want you to think. I've downloaded plenty of legit files, whether it's public domain music or a game demo or large patch (such as BF2).
Very true.
P0ldy
01-11-2006, 02:15 AM
BitTorrent is a protocol like ftp. It utilises two concepts: a "tracker" and a "client." The tracker creates a central repository for lots of little .torrent files which essentially contain hashed metadata about X file(s). The creator of the .torrent, or anyone with a complete copy of the exact file, can use a client to "seed", or upload, the file. The client "announces" to the tracker, the url of which is built into the .torrent file, telling the tracker that there is now a new seeder. Then, anyone who downloads that .torrent file can open it in a client and similarly announce, but that person is then a "leecher", or downloader. The combined seeders and leechers create the "swarm," and the health of the swarm depends on all clients correctly implementing the BT specification and communicating efficiently.
BitTorrent works best for transferring large files, and is much more efficient than HTTP or FTP at it, and typically faster as well. BitTorrent favours those who upload more and speed up the swarm, and therefore people who severely limit their upload speed or don't upload at all do not get the file very quickly. Certain clients dispute this, like BitComet/BitVomit, and instead attempt to connect to a peer, grab a piece of a file, and then disconnect and repeatedly connect. This hurts the swarm and basically is "leech mode" (in the pejorative sense). For this and other reasons, many private trackers recently banned the use of BitVomit.
There are other more advanced topics that complicate some of these parts of BT, but this is the concept in basic form.
I think the only real purpose of BitTorrent is for porn and illegally distributed software though... I haven't seen it used for anything else.
BitTorrent was never written to get pr0n out. It was used for transferring Linux distros and distributing source code long before it became popular for warez.
jlarlee
01-11-2006, 02:19 AM
That's only what the RIAA/MPAA want you to think. I've downloaded plenty of legit files, whether it's public domain music or a game demo or large patch (such as BF2).
it is a great way to catch up on tv shows I hear ;)
WebScud
01-11-2006, 02:43 PM
I think the only real purpose of BitTorrent is for porn and illegally distributed software though... I haven't seen it used for anything else.
Linux distros? IPTV shows? Podcasts?
There's a ton of legal stuff.
Photomotoz
01-11-2006, 06:28 PM
When I played WoW I always downloaded the patches using bittorrent because it was incredibley faster as compared to WoWs download manager(which uses bittorrent technology.). This is very helpful on patch day.
dmes65
01-11-2006, 06:38 PM
www.isohunt.com is a good site to get just about any thing.
When I played WoW I always downloaded the patches using bittorrent because it was incredibley faster as compared to WoWs download manager(which uses bittorrent technology.). This is very helpful on patch day.
The WoW patcher doesn't have UPnP support. It was likely slower for you due to the listening port not being open. Forward port 3724 to your computer's internal IP (or allow the port on your firewall) and it should be just as fast as any other client.
WebScud
01-12-2006, 12:02 AM
If you use UPnP you are just waiting to get raped by something malicious.
Vegan
01-13-2006, 04:28 AM
What's P2P?
lol
I know, I'm being mean.
Deadpool
01-13-2006, 04:43 AM
Taco?
If you use UPnP you are just waiting to get raped by something malicious.
I fail to see how allowing UPnP to forward a port automatically is any worse than manually forwarding the port.
The last time UPnP was even a mild security risk was back in 2001 when all the clueless users who were running Win98 with no firewall and publicly accessible file shares upgraded to WinXP with no firewall and publicly accessible file shares. Anyone currently using UPnP would undoubtedly be using a router or XP's firewall and all of the known exploits against the Windows implementation of UPnP have been resolved.
We have people like Steve Gibson, a man who earns a living promoting the fear of basic Windows services, to thank for perpetuating the negative perception of UPnP
Vinny
01-13-2006, 11:49 AM
I can honestly say... that I have never seen BitTorrent used for the aforementioned legal activities. The only time I used a torrent was to actually download an unreleased theatrical trailer for SW Episode II long before other people saw it.
Quackzilla
01-13-2006, 12:14 PM
The most awesome thing, especially for those 100MB+ game patches, is that you can stop a download then resume it where you left off!
Vegan
01-13-2006, 01:35 PM
I can honestly say... that I have never seen BitTorrent used for the aforementioned legal activities. The only time I used a torrent was to actually download an unreleased theatrical trailer for SW Episode II long before other people saw it.
I've slowly seen more and more bit torrent links on official sites. The days of servers going down when something popular is unleashed upon the Internet are practically over.
Vinny
01-13-2006, 02:11 PM
Maybe I better start seeing if torrents can be used for anything I need... I remember when the idea first came out and the reason why I got it was to get some old Transformers episodes but as soon as I figured how it all worked and decided to start downloading, Hasbro hit the site with a cease and desist order.
P0ldy
01-13-2006, 03:41 PM
BT eliminates the strain on http servers, and the http protocol itself isn't optimal for transferring large files (assuming those eps were high quality). And, technically a BT tracker does not house any infringing material itself. However, that hasn't stopped a few trackers from being shut down, but on legal threats--not yet by the adjudication of the court.
Though, the Grokster case set the precedent that p2p will be decided upon the programmer's intent, of all things. And, while BT stands well apart from traditional p2p, Bram Cohen recently has made deals with the MPAA, which will probably give BT even more legal validity.