Sorry I couldn't get it up fast enough... But here goes...
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FAQ about torrents
What are torrents?
Torrent is the shortened name for BitTorrent ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BitTorrent/ ). Torrents are used to distribute large files reliably to large populations of people.
How does it work?
The torrent starts off giving the file to people, and they download it. Then the people that have it copied then share it with other users that don't have that don't have their part, which in turn do the same. This is called peer-to-peer networking. Simply, think of it like this: A person has a book, and he has several people copy several different sections of it. They then share their copies to the people next to them who don't have certain parts, and so on and so on. Once the person with the original has all the parts copied, he can leave the room and the rest of the people can start sharing info between themselves to make copies for themselves.
What does it mean to you?
Reliable downloads... and access to alot of anime/manga.
What is a peer?
A person who is on the same torrent, either leeching and/or seeding to you.
What is a leecher/leeching?
A downloader, someone who downloads torrents. Derogatory for someone who downloads but doesn't seed. Leeching is downloading.
What is a seeder/seeding?
Seeders are people who share the torrents, acting as a secondary source. It's often used as a praise for someone who has finished downloading, and stays on to share the file. Seeding is uploading.
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How to get started
Things you need:
-A computer
-An internet connection (preferably not a phone line)
-Loads of free time with your computer
-Codecs (for anime)
-A torrent program.
-Torrents
BEFORE YOU BEGIN! You need your codecs!
Go here: http://www.cccp-project.net/
Read their FAQ/Wiki before you install, they are instructions for you to install everything. Downloading and installing is tough, but doing this will save you from ALOT of grief later. Also included with CCCP is Media Player Classic, I recommend using that player, it's easy to use and works great.
The torrent program:
I use a torrent client called uTorrent ( http://www.utorrent.com/ ) and it is small, cheap (as in free), and easy to use. You can also use BitTorrent, which is MUCH simpler ( http://www.bittorrent.com/download/ ). Go to the sites and download the latest version. Explore the user interfaces a little. When you've completed a torrent, you can stop it or remove it to keep it from mucking up your connection. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY: WHEN YOU CAN UPDATE YOUR TORRENT CLIENT, UPDATE IT! Some trackers ban the use of outdated clients.
Torrents:
Torrents are files appended with the *.torrent ending. They give you a link to the tracker, all the peers, and the source of the file. You need this open this file with a client program (such as uTorrent) in order to make it useful. Torrent files are NOT the file, they are the download links for the file you want.
Downloading your first torrent:
Go to one of the sites below... Preferably Animesuki (see below), because that's a nice basic site. When you click on one of the links to an episode, you'll usually go to the tracker of the group that released the translation for that episode. Then click on the file that you want from that group and you will download the *.torrent file to open in uTorrent. Leave it open for a while and wait for the file to finish downloading (a single episode of 170-250 megs takes about 2 hours if it's a newly released, you can tell by the ul/dl next to the size rating). It is common courtesy to leave the torrent open to share for several hours (note that if you are a phoneline connection, you are exempt from doing this). You may turn off your computer, and turn it back on to resume at any time with uTorrent.
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Links
Databases
Animesuki - http://www.animesuki.com/ - A large database for anime fansub torrents, visit their help sections. Their most useful part is the "Series" link found under the "Anime" header, you can find all the releases for any particular series there. Also as a license database to see which series are being discontinued by fansubbers because of possible US release.
Baka-Updates - http://www.baka-updates.com/ - Another database for anime fansub torrents.
Manga Updates - http://www.mangaupdates.com/ - Baka-Updates' sister site. A database for manga torrents.
Clients
uTorrent - http://www.utorrent.com/ - Small, powerful, easy to use, reliable. Don't need to install it.
BitTorrent - http://www.bittorrent.com/download/ - Simple, clean, perfect for beginner use.
Codecs
CCCP - http://www.cccp-project.net/ - Best pack of codecs ever. With this, you may never need to pull out your hair trying to figure out how to play anime episodes.
