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Unread 01-16-2008   #16
resiz3d
I draw 'em tall!
 
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,865
Here's a in-depth BitTorrent FAQ: http://www.dessent.net/btfaq/

But here's the basics. BitTorrent is a de-centralized, peer to peer filesharing system. This means the file you're downloading isn't hosted on 1 server, instead, it's hosted on all the computers of all the people who are also downloading the file/seeding the file.

When you download a .torrent and open it with a BitTorrent Client (there are many, I prefer uTorrent) the .torrent contains a checksum value for the file, so then it goes and downloads the file from a bunch of people. (and at the same time, you upload it to others). The client checks the file against the value in the .torrent, says its OK/100% complete, and you're good to go!

Leeches usually cancel their download then and there, but if you're a good torrent user keep the file running (called seeding) until you get a ratio of 2 or 3. (meaning you've uploaded 2 or 3 times more than you've DL'd) Or go with a ratio of 1 at the minimum.

When searching for files to download (like at ThePirateBay) you'll see a couple of #'s next to the filename. Seeders and Leechers. The # of Seeders is the # of people with the whole file and are sharing it. The # of leechers is people who are still downloading. If the ratio of Seeds to Leechers is completely whacked out (1 seeder, 3000 leeches) you may have to wait a bit for the download. If it's good (300 seeders, 2000 leeches) then you'll get the file pretty quickly. If there are 0 seeders.. good luck.

Hokey Dokey?
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