Torrents for larger files?

[NotTarts]

Has this ever been seriously considered? I'd imagine that for very large files (unofficial patch, texture packs, etc) it would decrease the load on the servers and download speeds for the more popular files could increase substantially, depending on the number of users who choose to continue seeding.

 

I've tried distributing some files through Bittorrent using Dropbox as a web seed, and it seems to work really well. Download speeds increased quickly (from Dropbox's default 80KB/s limit to ~300KB/s), and although I can't really speak for the bandwidth differences but I'm sure there's been some improvement there as well.

Edited August 28, 2011 by NotTarts

[RunningBare]

Tbh, I think it would end up with a lot of leecher's and very few seeders.

[micalov]

Doubt it would play off well, because torrents are obviously associated with piracy first and foremost.

 

The original uploader would have to stay online more then jut uploading there file once to one central server, because random Joe blog is not going to stay connected after they have have downloaded.

 

Also not everyone wants to use there bandwidth/can, with limited download/upload rats and ISP's hating torrent protocol.

 

The only real benefit would be to Dark0ne who would save on bandwidth tbh.

 

edit: NM RunningBare made it allot simpler :P

[NotTarts]

I see what both of you mean, but isn't that what happens now? You have the 4 servers (seeders) and hundreds of users (leechers). If a torrent system was implemented some of those users would be able to act as servers alongside the tesnexus.com servers, increasing the download speed for other users and reducing the strain on Dark0ne. Even if most people didn't contribute back, many still would, and that would benefit everyone :happy: Edited August 28, 2011 by NotTarts

[Vagrant0]

The question was asked a few times in the last few years. If I remember correctly, the response was that the effort needed to establish the sort of framework needed and to assist with technical issues was not seen as being practical compared to the relatively few mods which would be large enough to get any benefit from this. Most of those mods, Nehrim for instance, have setup their own torrents as a distribution platform, so it's not to say that it isn't done, or can't be done, just that there are few cases which make sense to do so.

[NotTarts]

The question was asked a few times in the last few years. If I remember correctly, the response was that the effort needed to establish the sort of framework needed and to assist with technical issues was not seen as being practical compared to the relatively few mods which would be large enough to get any benefit from this. Most of those mods, Nehrim for instance, have setup their own torrents as a distribution platform, so it's not to say that it isn't done, or can't be done, just that there are few cases which make sense to do so.

Thanks Vagrant, this makes sense. Although a torrent system would still be ideal (for me at least) I can see the difficulties involved in implementing and supporting it. I guess the best option for higher download speeds would be to sponsor the site, which is something we should be doing regardless.

[Pronam]

Higher downloading speeds already exist, just get premium ;).

It's currently at 500kb/s and uncapped at premium. If you're currently not reaching the first limit it's your internet provider you should be looking at, not this site.

Edited August 28, 2011 by Pronam

[Vagrant0]

Higher downloading speeds already exist, just get premium ;).

It's currently at 500kb/s and uncapped at premium. If you're currently not reaching the first limit it's your internet provider you should be looking at, not this site.

Yes, torrents generally aren't faster than direct downloads unless you have a few dozen dedicated seeders or are using a client that forces a high upload rate from leechers. The only advantage for torrents would be for those mods which are larger than 500mb, or to provide an alternative for those who do not have a constant internet connection to download files over multiple sessions.

[LHammonds]

Doubt it would play off well, because torrents are obviously associated with piracy first and foremost.

I take offense to that statement. P2P is a viable option...just like FTP, HTTP, NTP, etc., especially for those who cannot afford the bandwidth associated with large files. Take for instance the Linux and virtual appliance world. A large portion of those distributions are only available on P2P because they are not making any money to offset the cost of bandwidth.

 

Torrents would have been used here long ago if there was a fairly easy way of building a torrent seed based off our current database / file system. However, I have not found an easy way to mass-create torrent seeds.

 

If anyone out there has some knowledge on how something like this can be created, please let me know.

 

LHammonds

[micalov]

No offence was meant LHammond, but especially after the famous legal case of a certain Swedish site, to the general person, if you were to say torrent and they automatically think illegal and pirate.

You just have to see some of the response in the chat room when someone talks about downloading something legal from a torrent client, like the Nehrim installer or free MMO's.

You always have about 5 people spamming torrents are illegal and then having to explain to them torrent protocol is not its "what" you download, even after explaining stuff like World of Warcraft at least used to use the same protocol for patch distribution.

 

TL:DR, not saying torrents are illegal, just saying allot of people automatically think "pirate".