DIY: A Quick Guide to Using BitTorrent
DIY (Do It Yourself) For Entertainment Geeks is a periodical how-to feature that covers a variety of topics relating to technology. If you’re seeking a more hardcore DIY culture, you’ll probably want to frequent a site such as Instructables.com or even Gizmodo.
Unlike many peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing programs BitTorrent is very peculiar. It is both a file sharing protocol and a client (or program). In simpler terms, BitTorrent is way to share data (a protocol) and the name of a separate client that can access the BT protocol. For the sake of clarity this guide will use the term BitTorrent when referring to the protocol, not the aptly named client. So what makes BitTorrent different programs such as LimeWire or a straight download through an internet browser? It all has to do with the way the files are shared. If you really want to know the technical details this Wikipedia entry should suffice. Are you all still with me? Good.
The best way to learn to use BitTorrent is to show how it works by example. I’ll start with two downloads, episode 216 of BLEACH and episode 2 of Guin Saga. Before you can begin downloading BitTorrent files you’ll need a client. There are ton of programs to choose from, including the original BT client, BitTorrent. I personally use BitComet, but if you can’t decide on what you want Wikipedia has compiled a list of clients, including their strengths and weaknesses. I don’t particularly recommend using one client over another. Still, when choosing a client and downloading files, beware of spyware, viruses and other types of malware. Picking trusted sites to download your client and your torrent files can go a long way to ensure that you don’t pick up unwanted Malware when using BT.
Once you have your client every BitTorrent download first starts with a link to a torrent file on a web site. The torrent file itself is very small but accessing it through a web browser opens your BitTorrent program. In my case I’m using BitComet to handle my torrents files. Now, let’s get started with that Guin Saga file.
Seeders or uploaders, already have the entire file and are distributing it. If the seeder to leecher ratio is high a file can be downloaded quickly. If the opposite is true the file will download slowly. If no one is seeding a file then the file can’t be downloaded and you’re out of luck. In the case of my file there are 7774 seeders versus 857 leechers, or roughly a 9-to1 ratio, which is pretty good.
-Once your files are downloaded they will automatically begin to seed. If you have the bandwidth to spare you could always help out leechers by continuing to seed for a few hours, or days after your download. Some sites require you to seed as much as you leech in order to access their torrent files. Thankfully, most sites give users the option to seed or not.
Lastly, there are numerous places to access BitTorrent files. Here are some of the places I frequent on a regular basis:
BoxTorrents – Requires you to seed your files after downloading them. Also, the use of BitComet is banned here. So if you plan to use BoxTorrents as a resource skip BitComet altogether or keep two different torrent clients on hand.
AnimeSuki – Seeding is optional but recommended.
BakaUpdates – No seeding requirements
Dattebayo Fansubs – The selection here is limited because this is a fansubber web site, but it is a great resource for BLEACH and Naruto fans.
Mininova – Carries a variety of files, not just anime. Great for TV shows, music, and even software.
isoHunt – A good alternative to Mininova.
If you’ve been curious about BitTorrent hopefully this guide answers your most basic questions. Like all file sharing programs and file sharing itself, BT is what you make of it. Signs
that the entertainment industry is being to embrace BitTorrent as a valid way to distribute files are there.
About The Author
Angela
Executive Editor | Angela has had an addiction to video games and cartoons since she was young and impressionable. She enjoys writing long articles about these subjects and whatever else catches her eye. Mastodon