Question: How do I start using BitTorrents?
Answer: BitTorrent “swarming” requires six major ingredients.
- BitTorrent client software (there are dozens of choices, all free to install. See next page for software suggestions.).
- A tracker server (hundreds of them exist on the Web, no cost to use).
- A .torrent text file that points to the movie/song/file you want to download.
- A Torrent search engine that helps you find these .torrent text files. (See next page for Torrent search links.)
- A specially-configured Internet connection with port 6881 opened on the server/router to allow Torrent file trading.
- A working understanding of file management on your PC/Macintosh. You will need to navigate hundreds of folders and filenames to make file sharing work for you.
Next, Part 4: the step-by-step download process.
Setup Comment: At the very worst, it will take you about one day to set up your PC or Mac for Torrent swarming. If you don't employ a hardware router or software firewall with your modem, then setup will likely take only 30 minutes of choosing and installing your Torrent client. If you do use a hardware router or firewall (which is a smart way to configure your home machine), you are likely to get "NAT" error messages at first. This is because your router/firewall has not been taught to "trust" your BitTorrent data yet. Once you open digital port 6881 on the router/firewall, the NAT messages should stop and your BitTorrent connection should work just fine. Check this page for help on setting your Internet router.
See Page 4 of this article for Torrent client software suggestions.
