BitTorrent Distribution of New Episode (502) Options

[/carlos]

Folks,

To reduce demand on our video server, we are beginning with this latest episode, "Imminent Danger" (502), to distribute Hidden Frontier using BitTorrent, a peer-to-peer technology that speeds downloads by sharing the upload duties among people who have previously downloaded the episode.

If you're already a BitTorrent user, you can download the .torrent right away.

If you're new to BitTorrent, here are the instructions for how you can take advantage of using BitTorrent to download:

1. Read the Introduction to BitTorrent below. In fact, print it out just to help you out later if you get confused.
2. Download the BitTorrent client software here. There are Windows, Linux and Mac OS versions.
3. Download the .torrent file you'll need to begin downloading the episode. It's a small file.
4. If you're on a PC, after the .torrent file download is complete, the BitTorrent client will automatically open and begin downloading the episode. If on a Mac, you'll have to double-click the .torrent file to get the download going.
5. The download will begin. Please please please heed the suggestion in the Introduction below to keep your BitTorrent client open even after you've completed downloading the episode. BitTorrent's real power comes from people sharing what they've downloaded with others; the more people sharing, the faster the episode will download for everyone else.
6. Don't forget to read the Introduction below before beginning!
7. As a rule, new episodes will be released in the following order:
-- a. First, as a sneak peek to people who attend the Monday night chats (beginning at 7 pm PDT with the sneak peek an hour later).
-- b. Second, about a week later as BitTorrent releases.
-- c. Third, about a week after that as files to download from the video server.
As you can see, it pays to use BitTorrent; you'll get to view the episode earlier than the rest of the world.

... and now:
BitTorrent Introduction For a New User
Welcome to Bittorrent. BitTorrent, or BT for short, is an effective way to transfer a file between a group of peers easily and quickly. If you are new to the program this short tutorial should have you ready to download in a matter of minutes.

:: Background and Terminology
The group of people downloading a file (called a swarm) is composed of seeders and peers.

The seeders have the complete file and are solely uploading to others in the swarm. The peers have partially completed files and download from the seeders and other peers.

The magic of bittorrent, though, is that the peers act as uploaders too. The upload bandwidth is spread across the entire swarm with each peer uploading the parts of the file they have already downloaded.

A server acts as a central tracker, as a connector, maintaining a list of who are the seeders and peers and the IP addresses of those people. The tracker tells each peer how to connect to others in the swarm. It also keeps statistical logs. The process works by each user downloading a .torrent file. This is a small file that tells your client how to connect to other peers and where to get the full file.

:: How to Get and Use BitTorrent
The first thing you’ll want to do is get a copy of the BT client. This program allows you to open the .torrent files and connect to the swarm. The official client can be downloaded from here.

There are other more sophisticated and advanced clients available but this one is best for the beginning user. Download and install the proper client for your operating system. Once installed it will be set up so that when you open a .torrent file the BT client will come up. Mac OS users may have to double-click on the .torrent file in order to open the BT client.

Once you’ve installed the client you’re ready to start downloading. Find the download link to a .torrent file and click it. The download link for Hidden Frontier is here.

For most systems this should automatically download the .torrent file and start the BT client (again, Mac users may have to manually double-click the .torrent file in order to get going).

When the client appears you will be asked where you want to save your file. Pick any folder you wish to save it in and click OK. This is all you need to do. The client will automatically connect to the tracker and peers and begin your download. Also, as you download you will be uploading what parts of the file you do have. This is how BT maintains a fast network: everyone downloads and everyone uploads.

Important: Once your download is complete please leave your client open so it can continue to upload to the other people in the swarm. The general rule is to upload at least as much as you download. The more people that seed the faster it will be for everyone.

:: Technical tips.
-- Make sure ports 6881-6889 are open/forwarded if you have a firewall.
-- Speeds may vary so don’t get discouraged if it initially looks like a slow download. In most cases, it will speed up, especially if you and other downloaders keep their clients open even after your own download is complete.
-- Download is proportional to upload, so please upload.
-- Post technical questions here and we'll try to help you if you have problems. If you have too many problems, go ahead and use the regular video server when the episode becomes available there.

Finally, many thanks to Dave Berry for hosting the tracker and preparing this tutorial.

Regards,
/carlos

[Gabriel]

I HIGHLY recommend Azureus for a BitTorrent client, instead of the original. Seriously, it's much nicer, and works as a sort of download program like Kazaa. I use it all of the time.

[Nadesico]

i highly recommend the ABC Client for bittorrent, it actually allows you to control and organize the torrents efficiently and easily for the newbie. You can also throttle uploads to the speed you wish if you're on a restricted internet connection.

And just a side noe, port forwarding is NOT required for BT to work, you just miss out on being able to download off people whom are also behind a firewall. But bittorrent is adaptive when it comes to such matters.

[/carlos]

Those of you trying to download the .torrent file from the tracker site are probably getting a 'Page Will Not Download' error in your Web browser.

As Murphy's Law would have it, our host's ISP is down temporarily this morning. Service should be restored soon, so check back later today.

Regards,
/carlos

[dberry]

Ok, unless there are any other problem with the ISP the tracker should be fully functioning as of 11:40 CST. (June 12) Sorry for the interuption in service.

[dberry]

Hey gang,
I've been watching the usage of Bittorrent to DL 502 and i'm glad it's catching on but i need to reiterate the importance of keeping your client open after you finish downloading. I'm already seeing people download and the shut off with out even uploading the same amount they downloaded. PLEASE be a good user and keep your BT client open as long as possible or you will end up hurting others ability to get the files quickly. You received your file through bandwith generously donated by your peers and should do the same. So again please uplaod as much and as long as you can.
Thank you

[Kurn]

For those who can't use BitTorrent, my mirror will be up in about twenty minutes.

It's at http://www.romulus.plus.com/sthf/ - the file is 502.mov but PLEASE don't download until it's up to 63meg.

[/carlos]

Kurn,

Thanks for mirroring. Would you mind PM'ing me or Rob with your hit counts on this and other episodes you've hosted for us?

thanks,
/carlos

[Kurn]

Not sure I can do hit-counts... I can do overall on my site but not specific files. Sorry.

EDIT: *punches air in triumph* FOUND IT! :D PM'ing you all data to 11 June.

[Gabriel]

Hey gang,
I've been watching the usage of Bittorrent to DL 502 and i'm glad it's catching on but i need to reiterate the importance of keeping your client open after you finish downloading. I'm already seeing people download and the shut off with out even uploading the same amount they downloaded. PLEASE be a good user and keep your BT client open as long as possible or you will end up hurting others ability to get the files quickly. You received your file through bandwith generously donated by your peers and should do the same. So again please uplaod as much and as long as you can.
Thank you

Funny thing is, I've left BitTorrent open all day now and I keep having to click on "Reseed" in my client, or it'll just randomly stop being a node. I've never had that happen before, so I can only assume there's something wrong with the tracker itself.

[Nadesico]

i was running super seed mode on ABC bittorrent for nearly 24 hours and noone downloaded offa me, so i assumed that there was no need for me to keep the torrent up

[dberry]

Thank you for doing that Nad, i think the problem is that much of the fanbase isn't grabbing on we've only seen maybe 30 downloads total over the past day. My advice to everyone is to encourage everyone else to use BT. Then we can make best use of our bandwith.

[Captain Hunter]

I've been sharing it since this morning, and a couple of hours last night. Haven't seen much activity though.

[Gabriel]

Maybe it's just me then? I was able to share other files okay, but when it comes to what I downloaded the other night (not just the HF episode) it won't seed properly.

[Captain Hunter]

I've been connected since this morning (maybe 10 hours or so). I haven't seen much activity, but I've uploaded about 22mb. I am still connected though.

[SFRobbie]

I believe that the casual viewer will not be willing to download and install a program, follow a long list of instructions, then leave the program running so that others can download from them, just to watch one episode.
I would suggest, if you want to attract more viewers, posting the direct links to the episode and all the mirrors that have been offered (including mine - http://www.sfrobbie.com/HF/502.mov ) and making the bittorrenet thing as an option.

[/carlos]

Robbie,

We've never planned to abandon our traditional download process, and will continue to make use of additional mirrors.

BitTorrent is just being added as a download option, one that, along with mirrors, can help us reduce the stress on our regular video server, which has exceeded its bandwidth limits repeatedly in recent months.

Regards,
/carlos

[dru]

I'm not finding any peers (operation timed out) so I went to a mirror. :(

[Dracut]

I think the best use of Bittorrent would be to release the episode there a week before the mirrors are updated. The eager beavers are then incented to get Bittorrent and the initial hit of a new episode being released would be reduced substantially.

D.

[MikeWho]

Wow, just got 502 in record time via BT. And I'll be leaving the client connected for some time, but there is not much upload activitiy at the moment.

The tracker stats would be interesting when they become available.