Finding Torrent Files
After you set up your computer with your 'Loader\Client Software Program' and allowed 'firewall exceptions', you're ready to download .torrent files. You can search for the term ".torrent" using an Internet search engine to find sites that offer Torrent files. There are also a number of sites dedicated to Torrent file searching. [see Top Torrent Sites of 2006]
Download and Open the .torrent File
When you find the file you want, right-click the .torrent link, choose "save target as" and save the file in a convenient place on your computer, such as Windows desktop or a 'Torrent Folder' you created in My Documents. The .torrent file, which is a (small) pointer file to the actual file you want, will download quickly. Next, double-click the .torrent file you saved to your computer. The loader\client software (should) display and start the download process: [Sometimes it helps if you open your loader\client software program and minimize, to have it ready first, it also helps it to assoiciate to that particular client, should you have several clients installed]
Also Remember: the more computers in the sending/receiving swarm, the quicker the download process. If you are downloading a file with only a few other computers in the swarm, the transfer speed will be relatively slow.
Stay Connected!
After the download is complete, leave your Torrent Client software open so that other peers can download .torrent files from your computer.
Peers can download only .torrent files from your computer. Once you have a complete copy of a file, your computer becomes a potential seed for that file ~ as long as you're still running your 'Client' software. Sharing what you have causes speedier 'Torrent' downloads for you in the future.
You can leave your Client software running for a few hours or overnight.
Then simply close your Client software when you're done.
Always Remember:
SCAN any and all downloaded .exe files with your Anti-Virus Program!!
[but, be careful ~ some Anti-Virus Programs will tell you tell it detected a Trojan or something if that file has any keygens or initiation files (which may be the Authors Notes - that you can and should open in NotePad to read before installing the 'Program')]
Legal Ramifications
Similar to other peer-to-peer software, Torrent Loader\Client software Programs can be used to download copyrighted material. Because 'Torrent Clients' handles large files remarkably well, it is especially popular for downloading video files. The Motion Picture Association of America has so far filed two rounds of lawsuits, causing at least two high-traffic .torrent download sites to shut down.
Torrent Client Programs are perfectly legal to use. When you select a file to download, however, it is your responsibility to make sure the file not copyrighted. Torrent downloads are not anonymous; information about your computer's IP address and the files you download can be traced back to you.
Despite its improper use by distributors of copyrighted material, Torrent Client Programs are both legal and innovative. With additions such as tit-for-tat and an open-source philosophy, Torrent Client Software Programs will likely build a legacy of their own while serving as a bridge to the next generation of file-serving software.
Link to Firewalls