About P2P File Sharing With BitTorrent

Many people think of MP3 music files when they hear about online file sharing. The Napster phenomenon did much to move peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing into the spotlight. Regardless of the legal issues, P2P file sharing is an excellent way to download large files, even a full CD or DVD! BitTorrent is one of the leading P2P software programs available.

BitTorrent refers to both the software produced by BitTorrent Inc. and the method used by the software to share files. A torrent is defined as “a stream of water flowing with great rapidity and violence” or “a rushing, violent, or abundant and unceasing stream of anything.” The BitTorrent software is for downloading more than just music, however. Sites use it to distribute free software compact discs, games, office software, and other huge files.

The BitTorrent software is available for free from www.bittorrent.com. The software, called a client, coordinates the file downloads. These downloads are different from ordinary website or FTP downloads. The bandwidth used during website and FTP downloads remains a constant drain on the server throughout the download. With BitTorrent, pieces of the downloading file are pulled from the computers of people who have already downloaded the file, or who are currently in the downloading process.

To start using BitTorrent, download and install the software. When you see a file you want to download, check to see if the website offers BitTorrent downloads. If it does, click on the given link and choose “open file from current location” if asked. The BitTorrent software will activate and begin downloading the file.
Once the BitTorrent software activates, you will be added to the group of people currently downloading that particular file. This group is known as a “swarm.” Some of the people in the swarm have already downloaded the file, and are keeping their BitTorrent software active to provide the file to new downloaders. These peopled are called “seeders.” The people who are currently downloading are called “downloaders” or “leeches.”

“Leech” is sometimes used to describe a person who only downloads and doesn’t contribute to others by uploading. However, newer versions of the BitTorrent software balance out the load by requiring users to both upload and download. This is done automatically. It is considered good file sharing etiquette to keep your BitTorrent software running when your download is complete. This will allow your computer to make the complete file available to other downloaders.
Some opinions say that you should keep your BitTorrent software running for 72 hours after your download finishes. Others say to keep the software seeding until you have at least uploaded as much as you have downloaded.

The seeding and downloading continues until the download completes. If you have enough seeders, this is not a problem. However, for old or rare P2P downloads, there may not be a full copy of the file available for download. Your download might get stuck being only partially complete, until someone with the full file begins seeding. That’s why it is important to be a good file sharer and seed once your download is done. For these reasons, BitTorrent downloading and seeding works best with a broadband internet connection.

More free software programs that are compatible with BitTorrent software are available from Azureus, uTorrent, BitComet and other sites.

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