$ yum list | grep deluge deluge.noarch 1.1.9-3.fc12 fedora deluge-flags.noarch 1.1.9-3.fc12 fedora $ yum list | grep torrent bittorrent.noarch 4.4.0-13.fc12 @fedora bittorrent-gui.noarch 4.4.0-13.fc12 @fedora ctorrent.x86_64 1.3.4-14.dnh3.3.2.fc12 fedora gtorrentviewer.x86_64 0.2b-18.fc12 fedora kde-plasma-ktorrent.x86_64 3.3.4-1.fc12 updates ktorrent.x86_64 3.3.4-1.fc12 updates ktorrent-devel.i686 3.3.4-1.fc12 updates ktorrent-devel.x86_64 3.3.4-1.fc12 updates ktorrent-libs.i686 3.3.4-1.fc12 updates ktorrent-libs.x86_64 3.3.4-1.fc12 updates libtorrent.i686 0.12.6-1.fc12 updates libtorrent.x86_64 0.12.6-1.fc12 updates libtorrent-devel.i686 0.12.6-1.fc12 updates libtorrent-devel.x86_64 0.12.6-1.fc12 updates mktorrent.x86_64 1.0-4.fc12 updates monotorrent.x86_64 0.72-5.fc12 fedora monotorrent-devel.i686 0.72-5.fc12 fedora monotorrent-devel.x86_64 0.72-5.fc12 fedora php-pear-File-Bittorrent2.noarch 1.3.1-4.fc12 fedora qbittorrent.x86_64 2.2.7-1.fc12 updates qbittorrent-nox.x86_64 2.2.7-1.fc12 updates rb_libtorrent.i686 0.14.10-1.fc12 updates rb_libtorrent.x86_64 0.14.10-1.fc12 updates rb_libtorrent-devel.i686 0.14.10-1.fc12 updates rb_libtorrent-devel.x86_64 0.14.10-1.fc12 updates rb_libtorrent-examples.x86_64 0.14.10-1.fc12 updates rb_libtorrent-python.x86_64 0.14.10-1.fc12 updates rtorrent.x86_64 0.8.6-2.fc12 updates torrentzip.x86_64 0.2-3.fc11 rpmfusion-freeI haven't the foggiest idea which to prefer or why. I think what I will do is:
yum install bittorrent yum install delugeIt turns out bittorrent was already installed on my system. The deluge package pulls in 10 other packages (including "boost").
When I launch the bittorrent client, I get lots of warnings (including one about the sha module being deprecated and that I should use the hashlib module). Clearly this is written in python (as is the deluge client). (I am running the bittorrent-4.4.0-13.fc12.noarch version, which is the latest available from the fedora yum distribution). The rpm -qi bittorrent command tells me the source of this item and gives me a link to the bit torrent website.
At least the deluge client has a man page (the bittorrent client does not). And the man page points me to the deluge home page When I launch it, I get some warnings about gtk.Tooltip and deprecation, as well as the advice that a newer version (1.3.0_rc1) is available (I am running deluge-1.1.9-3.fc12.noarch.
Unfortunately the documentation for deluge dives right into all kinds of arcane issues that I am sure fascinate the developers, but for somebody like me who is simply wanting to know, How do I run this thing and download a torrent it is frustrating. They are too busy telling you why their torrent client is more wonderful than all the others, and all I want to know is how to use the dang thing.
The BitTorrent website leads me to a nicely written "beginners guide". Apparently to get a torrent started, you need a "torrent file", which is typically obtained from a "torrent website". These torrent websites are either indexes or trackers (or more typically both). Some trackers require registration, and this leads to a discussion of what appears to be a "torrent culture". Note that neither indexes or trackers actually handle nor host content.
The way a torrent works is that while you are receiving content, you are also helping to distribute it. And when a torrent download finishes, it is good citizenship to leave your torrent active (and "seeding") to aid other people receiving the same content. This kind of cooperation is how torrent downloads work. Your download was almost certainly aided by other people doing just this. Once the upload:download ratio reaches 1.00 you can feel that you have done your part.
Take a look at Brian's BitTorrent FAQ and Guide.
Also, here is Slyck's Guide to BitTorrent
Adventures in Computing / [email protected]