Before we start, lets understand what a torrent is. BitTorrent is a protocol and practice of peer-to-peer file sharing and is used for distributing large amounts of data over the Internet. BitTorrent is one of the most common protocols for transferring large files and it has been estimated that peer-to-peer networks have accounted for major share of entire internet activity. The BitTorrent protocol can be used to reduce the server and network impact of distributing large files. Rather than downloading a file from a single source server, the BitTorrent protocol allows users to join a group of hosts to download and upload from each other simultaneously. This protocol is an alternative to the older single source, multiple mirror sources technique for distributing data, and can work over networks with lower bandwidth and on so many small computers. They all are able to efficiently distribute files to many recipients. In short, The BitTorrent protocol lets you exchange or distribute data over the Internet. There is no central server involved, rather data is downloaded from other users. It is a cheap, fast, efficient way to distribute files to computer users. What you need to download torrents is a client application or program that will connect to the host and manage your download. There are plenty of client applications available on the internet.
Benefits of torrent downloading
There are benefits of torrent downloading over regular downloading.
Speed: As there are number of locations from where the file is downloaded, the download speed is faster.
Resume support: The downloads are always resume supported. We can leave the download incomplete, and resume it when we start the computer next time, from the point where we had left. We can take incomplete file to another computer and resume download there. The torrent program also takes care to resume download, even if the internet connection disconnects and connects again.
Part download: In case we want only particular files (and not all) from the download stuff, we can have that option.
Benefit to others: It provides others with the same benefits that you are deriving yourself.
Installing a program
Install a torrent downloading program (it is often called torrent client) for example, utorrent or Bittorrent or any other program on the PC. Install the one that best fits your needs.
Find a torrent download
Search for stuff you want to download. The .torrent file is the first thing you need. This is a small file that points to the main file that you are wanting to download. Download the concerned torrent file. (For example, OpenOffice.org, a free alternative to Microsoft Office, or a Linux operating system, can be downloaded using BitTorrent.)
Open the program
After the torrent file is downloaded, you simply need to load it into torrent download application. In most cases, it will automatically open the torrent program that you have installed on your PC.
Start download
Give the path and click download. The download will start after some moments. If you minimize the program, still it will be running in the background. At right bottom corner of your display it will show the icon. You may now go and do something to pass your time. Torrent will be downloaded in the background, and while they do not require your attention. Further they will require a fair amount of time, it can take hours and days, in many cases.
Finish download
After download is finished, remove the torrent file from torrent program and exit the program. If you do not remove from the program, it will keep uploading the torrent. So it is always better to exit the torrent program after the download is finished. In torrent terminology, seeding means uploading, and leeching means downloading. Seeding is where you leave your torrent client open after you've finished your download to help distribute it (you distribute the file even when it is downloading, but it's even more helpful if you continue to distribute the full file even after you have finished downloading).
Program settings
Most important is to set your torrent program in a manner that it will not start automatically with windows. These settings are available in all torrent programs.
Remember this
It is always better to scan the downloads with a Anti-Virus software before use. Since the download has been effected from number of different locations, it is more probable that it can contain a virus.
When you start using torrent program, you will learn about it more and more, with time.
