Overhearing #BitTorrent ... Am I the Only One Who Doesn't Know About BitCoin? Dogecoin? XRP(Ripple Labs)?
At Starbucks, overhearing #BitTorrent ...
Recently, I've been curious about the cryptocurrencies everyone around me seems to be talking about, so I thought I might as well look into it.
First, let the Googling begin!
When I checked out the official website and Googled some more, all I could think was, “Wow—this is an alien language!” Despite being in Korean, I couldn’t make any sense of it. It reminded me of the line from the movie My Sassy Girl where she says, “Speak in English, not in alien language!”
Even after reading and rereading it multiple times, it was still incomprehensible. So, I decided to consult websites that simplify the explanations, jot down notes in simpler terms, and later revisit the official site to compare and understand what I got right or wrong. This is a work in progress, and I plan to update this over time.
What is BitTorrent?
BitTorrent is one way to share files over the internet. To put it simply, BitTorrent is a technology that allows many people to download and upload pieces of a file together.
Imagine you want to complete a huge jigsaw puzzle. If your friends each have some pieces of the puzzle, you could get all the pieces from them and finish it much faster.
BitTorrent works on the same principle. It’s particularly useful for sharing large files because it doesn’t rely on a central server. For instance, it’s often used to share large files like movies or software. This makes downloading faster and reduces the strain on servers.
The more people sharing the file, the faster the transfer speed for everyone.
How does BitTorrent work?
Here’s how BitTorrent functions:
Torrent Files and Magnet Links: These contain information about the file. A torrent file tells you where each piece of the file is located, while a magnet link helps locate the file. To share a file, you first need a torrent file (.torrent) or a magnet link.
Torrent Client: Popular options include "uTorrent" and "qBittorrent." These programs allow you to download and upload files using torrent files or magnet links. To use BitTorrent, you need a torrent client program.
Seeders and Peers: Seeders have the entire file
, while peers have only some parts of it.
Peers download pieces and simultaneously share those pieces with others. People sharing the file are called seeders and peers.
Trackers: It keeps track of who has which pieces and helps facilitate the exchange. Trackers act as coordinators, enabling efficient file sharing. A tracker helps connect seeders and peers.
Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Network: This reduces bottlenecks and ensures fast and efficient file sharing. BitTorrent uses a P2P network, where files are shared directly between computers without a central server.
How is BTT used?
BTT Features:
BTT is a virtual currency (token) used on the BitTorrent network.
With BTT, you can earn rewards by sharing or downloading files.
For example, if you upload files for others, you receive BTT.
Similarly, you can use BTT to download files.
This incentivizes more users to actively participate, making the network more dynamic.
Advantages of BTT:
Using BTT makes file sharing faster on the BitTorrent network.
For instance, if you’re downloading a new game, using BTT can speed up the process.
Moreover, since uploading earns you BTT, it encourages more people to share files.
This helps maintain a healthy, active network.
Applications of BTT:
BTT isn’t limited to the BitTorrent network.
You can also use it on other platforms, such as for streaming your favorite content or buying digital goods.
This expands BTT’s usability and encourages more people to adopt it.
BitTorrent and BTT provide a fast and efficient way to share files.
BitTorrent breaks files into smaller pieces, allowing multiple users to download and upload them simultaneously.
BTT acts as a virtual currency (token) that rewards users for sharing or downloading files.
This system ensures a more active and rewarding network for everyone involved.