If you're looking to acquire a large file without waiting hours for it to download to your computer, then BitTorrent peer-to-peer is the application for you. Designed to speed up the download process by taking bits and pieces of data from several sources, BitTorrent can prove to be an invaluable tool—but you need a client to fetch files. That's where the free uTorrent 2.2 client (available for Mac OS X, Linux, and Windows) comes in. It's virtually identical to the official BitTorrent 7.2 (Free, 3.5 stars) application, but differs in the fact that it's positioned as the ground where longtime users can participate in experimental research and development features— BitTorrent is the starting point for those fresh to P2P sharing. Like BitTorrent, uTorrent gets the job done on a basic, serviceable level, but if you want a more feature-rich torrent experience Vuze 4.5 may be the client you're looking for.
Note: If you download copyrighted content, be prepared to pay the penalty. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) has not only closed down torrent sites, but has also sued peer-to-peer server operators; the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has sent out nearly 2 million copyright infringement warnings.
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Setup and Interface
uTorrent's look and feel is identical to BitTorrent's, which should come as no surprise to anyone who keeps up with the torrent scene. The official BitTorrent client was redesigned to match uTorrent's aesthetic after BitTorrent acquired the uTorrent client in 2006. Like BitTorrent and Deluge, the uTorrent client is visually drab and bare bones (especially when compared to Vuze's relatively attractive interface, which was designed to catch the eye), but you can download toolbar skins that add some punch—a feature not valuable to BitTorrent users.
Upon launching uTorrent you're greeted with an interface that's divided into two sections: A large main section that has a search box for scouring the Web for torrents, and a sidebar with sections that let you check torrents' downloaded statuses (Completed, Active, and Inactive). You can also subscribe to torrent RSS feeds, and explore the App Studio (more on that later). Clicking any of those categories (save for App Studio) lets you open a torrent from your hard drive, add one from a URL, or even create one via a toolbar at the top of the application window. All in all, it's simple and easy to use.
Acquiring and Managing Content
BitTorrent technology works by allowing the computer, which has the torrent, to gather bits and piece of the desired file from other available BitTorrent users. It's this unique process that makes downloading large files far faster than other peer-to-peer protocols that connect one PC to another lone PC.
Finding legal torrents is challenging if you don't know where to look, but I eventually stumbled upon 'Four Eyed Monsters', a 70-minute independent film freely distributed by 'The Co-Create' that I found at Vodo.net (a legal torrent repository). Double-clicking the file began the torrenting process by drawing the necessary file data from 14 seeds (i.e the computers from which my torrent draws data). During that time, icons—Pause, Stop, and Remove—located in the top toolbar that were once grayed out became available for use. At the bottom of the interface are tabs that let you see the connection speed, the number of peers, and other metrics. The 1.06 GB files got downloaded in just under eight minutes on my high-speed office computer, and were played back in QuickTime when I launched it.
I also decided to test uTorrent 2.2 by downloading five movie files (ranging in size from 14 minutes to 95 minutes) to a home computer to replicate the everyday user's experience in downloading multiple files at once. Downloading everything took 49 minutes over a Verizon FiOS connection; quite fast, considering that my test group included three movies that were at least 84 minutes in length. Naturally, your download time will vary depending on the connection speed, the number of seeders available, and various other factors.
Right-clicking a file lets you set upload and download speed limits, remove the torrent from the program, delete it from your hard drive, and avail other options for controlling and managing the torrent. I especially like uTorrent's ability to label content with keywords, which gives you quick access to categories or genres. For example, when I tagged 'Four-Eyed Monsters' with "romance," the tag appeared in the left sidebar with an associated numerical value that shows how many files fit those criteria. This is a feature that I would like to see the Vuze client adopt. uTorrent also supports Protocol Encryption, which is designed to bypass ISP throttling or blocking attempts.
Extras
BitTorrent's App Studio comes with 13 optional application icons for obtaining additional content without prowling the Web. The Raptr app, for example, lets you download a number of free-to-play PC games. Torrent Tweet adds social networking by theoretically allowing you to use Twitter from within the BitTorrent client, but it was glitchy and didn't accept the passwords associated with my pair of Twitter accounts. There's even an app that installs antivirus software that's powered by BitDefender. Overall, I found it a fine, though surprising addition. But personally, I'd rather socially network via proper social networking applications. uTorrent lacks remote management features found in Deluge and Vuze.
Should You Use uTorrent?
If you want to quickly download large files, uTorrent (and its brother BitTorrent) is a solid selection. It may suffer from an unattractive interface and an unintuitive search engine, but its Labels and App Studio features may make it worth considering. But if you want those missing features, then the Editors' Choice award-winning Vuze is the BitTorrent client that will appeal to your sensibilities.
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