What is a Bit Torrent and why do my teenagers want to do it

Jacca5660 · Post by **Jacca5660** » Aug Mon 31, 2009 8:38 am

Will someone please explain. What is a Bit Torrent and why do my teenagers want to do it?

agingerbugg · Post by **agingerbugg** » Aug Mon 31, 2009 8:58 am

Its a file sharing protocol. Here is what the Wiki has to say about it. There are legal BitTorrents out there, but also illegal ones like The Pirate Bay. Also, you should have a good virus scanner; there are people who post viruses that look very much like authentic files and if you are not vigilant and pay close attention to the file name you can inadvertently download them. I would just be sure you know that your teens are downloading legal BitTorrents, especially considering the RIAA has set the precedent of charging people $80,000 per copyright violation.

boilerbabe · Post by **boilerbabe** » Aug Mon 31, 2009 10:02 am

Wow, I must be out of the loop! I have no idea what that is!?

Jacca5660 · Post by **Jacca5660** » Aug Mon 31, 2009 10:13 am

boilerbabe wrote:Wow, I must be out of the loop! I have no idea what that is!?

Makes me feel old! ;+<

Post by **Dr. Ravenscroft** » Aug Mon 31, 2009 11:52 am

Wow, I thought everyone knew about Torrents, granted I listen to a Butt load of Tech Podcasts.....

Just as a warning Many torrents can be considered legal, BUT many are not. Be careful what they download, if you do it read up on how to protect yourself from people tracking what you download (mainly the RIAA and the MPAA). Also, sometimes, your isp will throttle your usage if you download a lot of torrents.

I download MANY torrents, but they are legal torrents. A video cast company sends out their video casts via torrents, perfectly legal, but if I download more than 6 episodes in one day I get throttled by my isp for at least 24 hours.

Jacca5660 · Post by **Jacca5660** » Aug Mon 31, 2009 12:18 pm

throttled???

agingerbugg · Post by **agingerbugg** » Aug Mon 31, 2009 12:43 pm

Either slowed down or cut off temporarily. My ISP really reduces the speed of my signal, and when I call they say it is due to heavy usage, but I can "borrow" signal from my neighbor (who uses the same ISP) and there is no reduction in speed.

Post by **Dr. Ravenscroft** » Aug Mon 31, 2009 3:35 pm

agingerbugg wrote: but I can "borrow" signal from my neighbor (who uses the same ISP) and there is no reduction in speed.

OI!!!! Get off my interwebs!!!

Throttled can be going from 3mbps to 100kbps.

elizabethswann · Post by **elizabethswann** » Aug Mon 31, 2009 11:34 pm

I use torrents all the time in downloading music and movies... >.> I'm going to hush up before the FBI comes to my door.

Post by **Dr. Ravenscroft** » Sep Tue 01, 2009 9:28 am

elizabethswann wrote:I use torrents all the time in downloading music and movies... >.> I'm going to hush up before the FBI comes to my door.

Too late you already admitted it, an agent will be at your door at dawn tomorrow.

Jacca5660 · Post by **Jacca5660** » Sep Tue 01, 2009 10:40 am

Dr. Ravenscroft wrote:
elizabethswann wrote:I use torrents all the time in downloading music and movies... >.> I'm going to hush up before the FBI comes to my door.
Too late you already admitted it, an agent will be at your door at dawn tomorrow.

Thank you for all the info everybody! I have to think about this. Oh yea,,,everyone knows that the FBI doesn't show up at dawn, it's gonna be more like ten ish!!

elizabethswann · Post by **elizabethswann** » Sep Tue 01, 2009 8:22 pm

Dr. Ravenscroft wrote:
elizabethswann wrote:I use torrents all the time in downloading music and movies... >.> I'm going to hush up before the FBI comes to my door.
Too late you already admitted it, an agent will be at your door at dawn tomorrow.

Deletes everything off the laptop.

Post by **Dr. Ravenscroft** » Sep Tue 01, 2009 10:59 pm

What you think that gets rid of everything? hahahaha, we have much to talk about my dear. All I have say is Trucrypt. Just don't forget the password once you install it otherwise you need a new hard drive to replace the one you just locked.

elizabethswann · Post by **elizabethswann** » Sep Tue 01, 2009 11:07 pm

I'm not that much into technology as you are, Doc.

Jacca5660 · Post by **Jacca5660** » Sep Wed 02, 2009 9:12 am

Dr. Ravenscroft wrote:What you think that gets rid of everything? hahahaha, we have much to talk about my dear. All I have say is Trucrypt. Just don't forget the password once you install it otherwise you need a new hard drive to replace the one you just locked.

Three words.....Military Grade Scrubber! Yes I know the electron microscope see all.