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BitTorrent
P2P file sharing protocol for getting free stuff!
- Developer: Bram Cohen
- Release Date: 04/2001
- Twitter: Unknown
- Known For: Free software (Free as in free beer), MPAA lawsuits
Summary
BitTorrent is a peer-to-peer file sharing protocol used by thieves on the internet to steal software. Torrents are discovered and shared through trackers which essentially tell the client where it can find certain pieces of of the file. If you are looking to download that totally awesome new Twilight movie, your client will find all of the lonely nerds that also have that Twilight movie and are actively sharing it with anyone that wants it. It will then begin to download small pieces of Twilight from many different locations which helps ensure that speed is not limited by an individual bandwidth limit. The client then assembles all of these pieces for you and eventually spits out Twilight when it is completed. This is much more popular than conventional P2P file sharing methods as it is generally much quicker. On a side note, don't download twilight because the MPAA is watching you and they will sue you, hard.
A BitTorrent client is needed to download torrents. Some popular clients include uTorrent, BitTorrent Client, Transmission(for unix nerds), Vuze, and Bitcomet.
Facts
- Responsible for about 25-50% of internet traffic.
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