Bit Torrent is a new file sharing technology that has taken the internet by storm. The bit torrent file sharing technology is unique because it requires that those downloading share files while uploading. This results in higher download speeds than those provided by most P2P software programs, and appears to solve the problems related to “leechers" (those that download but never upload).
The technology has been around for over a year now and has continued to pick up speed as of late as its popularity continues to grow.
Typically bit torrent files are larger than what you might find on a standard P2P network. On a P2P network it is commonplace to download relatively small files such as a single song for example. Alternatively, the bit torrent technology is usually utilized when the file size is larger; as in the case of a movie or a full CD.
Bit torrent also makes use of client side software such as BitLord or the standard software on the official bit torrent website. A user then visits bit torrent websites in order to locate a .torrent file. Once the file is found, the user downloads this small file that contains the information necessary to begin the download. This small file is then opened using the bit torrent client and the download begins.
The speed of the download will depend on two things; the number of other users sharing the file and the number of other users downloading this same file.
Interested in the bit torrent technology? There is a list of bit torrent sites on the about torrents website. This site also has links from which bit torrent clients can be downloaded.