summary:
A torrent is a file sent via the BitTorrent protocol. It can be just about any type of file, such as a movie, song, game, or application. During the transmission, the file is incomplete and therefore is referred to as a torrent. Torrent downloads that have been paused or stopped cannot be opened as regular files, since they do not contain all the necessary data. However, they can often be resumed using a BitTorrent client, as long as the file is available from another server.
Torrents are different from regular downloads in that they are usually downloaded from more than one server at a time. The BitTorrent protocol uses multiple computers to transfer a single file, thereby reducing the bandwidth required by each server. When a torrent download is started, the BitTorrent system locates multiple computers with the file and downloads different parts of the file from each computer. Likewise, when sending a torrent, the server may send the file to multiple computers before it reaches the recipient. The result is a lower average bandwidth usage, which speeds up file transfers.
Extension: .torrent
Introduction:
first you will need a "Torrent Client" there are many around the web, the most popular ones being Bit Torrent, Utorrent and Azureus(now called Vuze)
Torrent softwares like these intergrate themselves with your browser, so when a download link is clicked you will automatically be prompted to choose a save destination.
Where to find torrents:
Again there are hundreds maybe thousands of torrent sites, they may seem confusing to some but they are nearly exactly similar to a normal download site, only in this case you are using a "client"
here is an example of a few sites...
http://www.mininova.org/
http://www.thepiratebay.org
http://www.torrentreactor.net
http://www.isohunt.com
http://www.bitsoup.org
http://www.snarfit.org
(The best being http://www.demonoid.com, although you must be invited by an existing member)
and more!
How to find what i want:
In all torrent sites there is a search box allowing you to quickly browse through the up 600,000+ downloads while also being able to select differnt filters like (movies,apps,games,etc...)
pictures:
NOTE: some of these pictures were not taken by me..
The Pirate Bay Search Page
The Pirate Bay Results/Download Example
Introduction To Seeding and Leaching
SEEDING:
A seed is a client which has a complete file. Seeding is the process of connecting to a torrent when you have a complete file. There are two ways to do this:
...by leaving your client open after the download completes. Once you have the entire file you become a seed, and the BitTorrent client remains connected to the swarm, sending to other users until you close it.
...by clicking on a torrent link (or opening a saved .torrent file) and selecting a filename of a file that has already completed. BitTorrent will check over the file and realize that it's already complete, and continue to connect to the tracker and serve as a seed.
It's generally considered a good idea to leave your client open as long as possible, since it helps other users. Some communities have guidelines on when it's permissible to disconnect, typically after the ratio of bytes received to bytes sent reaches 1:1, or 24 hours after the download completes. Please be nice, and do what you can to contribute to other users.
LEACHING:
Leaching is much simpler than seeding it basicly means that a leacher is a person who is downloading a torrent from you!
Welcome to the world of torrents!
p.s. if i have missed out any information you feel would be helpful to other users be sure to speak to me so i can amend the post
