P2P: an introduction
Before we discuss Torrent music downloading, let us first discuss the concept of peer-to-peer or P2P. P2P is a type of computer networking program which lets participants share their files with one another. Participants here are read as nodes. Downloading here is done through several nodes sharing their files rather than through a single download source.
Whenever a participant tries to download a file using P2P, each connected node contributes a part to the download, making the process of downloading faster and virtually always available. Thus, even if a source is only able to share a small part of its bandwidth, the downloader can still download the file through other sources sharing their piece. This action of sharing files with one another earned the program its name: peer-to-peer (P2P) networking.
Torrent, P2P and Torrent Client
Torrent works using the P2P principle. In torrent downloading, you download files shared by other users. In turn, your files, which will be read as nodes, will then be available for download by other users. In other words, torrent protocol lets you upload and download files, through nodes, simultaneously. Examples of torrent or Bittorrent programs are PirateBay, Isohunt, uTorrent, and ExtraTorrent.
To be able to use torrent, torrent clients must be downloaded and installed first to your computer. Examples of Bittorrent clients are Vuze, Bittornado, and Miro. These programs will do the actual download of torrent files. Without these, no program will download your torrent files for you and you will not be able to access your desired files.
Although there are different types of torrent programs and torrent clients, all these function similarly. As such, you can pick any of those and you will still be able to download your files. The difference, however, is in the availability of files. More popular torrents have more users and, as such, have more files available for download. Any of the torrent websites mentioned above are good torrent websites and have many downloadable files.
For the sake of discussion, let us have a prototype website. Let us use The Pirate Bay, a torrent website that is arguably one of the widest used torrent programs worldwide, as a sample website for a basic tutorial and run-through on how to download songs using torrent.
The Pirate Bay: How to Download files
Pick your Bittorrent client
Step 1: Pick and download your Bittorrent
As said above, having a Bittorrent client is crucial in downloading torrent files. The client will be the one to download your files and store them in your memory. Available bittorrent clients are Vuze, Deluge, Bittornade, and Miro.
Let us use Bittornado as an example.
Bittornado is available for download in their website. The downloading and installation is fairly easy and straightforward.
Step 2: Install your Bittorrent
Downloading Torrent Files
Step 1: Download music torrent from Pirate Bay
Go to the Pirate Bay website and search for the music file you want. Type in the search tool bar the title of the song you are looking for. Check “Audio” in the options below the search bar.
Step 2: Open the file
Once you have chosen a song, Bittornado should open the file for you. If not, double click the file.
You will be asked where you would like to save your file. Choose a folder for storage. Click “OK.”
Step 3: Manage the Pop-up
Upon starting your download, a pop-up will appear, showing you the details of your download. A bar will be present inside the pop-up. On the left side of the bar is an icon whose color changes depending on the download. A red icon signifies unavailability of the downloaded file. A yellow icon is a warning sign for you to do some minor fixing especially with your firewall. A green icon means all is good to go in your download.
Basically, aside from downloading your files, torrent clients will show you how many torrent files you are downloading and the status of your download (speed of download, available participants, uploaded files, etc.)
Once you have finished your download, you can play your songs –and any other files for that matter –using any media player of your choice.
So there you go, a quick discussion on how torrent works and how to download them using our prototype website and torrent client. Now, you can start your downloads and listen to all the music you want.
Don’t forget to thank us for your wonderful music experience -or hit us with any form of feedback.
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