US Advanced Technology

What is a torrent file and how does it work?

A torrent file is the file that is transferred among users using the torrent technology. The file extension used by torrent files is .torrent. Torrent files, when added into a torrent application, can be distributed among numerous amounts of people without the need of any major hardware costs and server fees on a particular individual. This is because each user supplies bits of the full torrent file to users without those particular bits, while receiving bits that they do not yet have. Therefore, torrent files can also be shared relatively quickly.

History
Torrent technology was first planned and developed by Bram Cohen in April 2001. After months of development, it first went public in 2 July, 2001. Today, Cohens technology is widely used. Although there are no specific measurements, it is considered as one of the most significantly used protocols in the Internet today.

Behind the Technology
The torrent technology is operated by a torrent client sending bits of the torrent file through a torrent protocol. A torrent client would be for example a personal computer while the torrent file can be of any file in the .torrent format.

For the sharing to begin, first a user must create a .torrent file (eg. File.torrent). A torrent file contains information, such as the tracker, the main computer distributing the file first, and the metadata, information about the files in the torrent file. People wishing to obtain the information must first download the torrent file (in this case, File.torrent), run it with their torrent application, and then connect with the tracker, which will give orders on where to download what bits of the torrent file.

Torrent Files vs. HTTP Files
Although torrent files and its sharing are technically a transfer of files over the network, it has its strengths compared to the old-school HTTP downloading style. Firstly, when downloading files, web browsers will make one HTTP GET request through one TCP socket. However, torrent files make numerous amounts of small data requests over many TCP sockets. Also, HTTP will download in an orderwhat is first will be downloaded first; however torrents download in a random waywhatever is of high availability will be downloaded first.

This is exactly why the torrent files have its strengths; it doesnt need much financial back, it has a higher redundancy, and a better resistance to potential abuse from flash crowds than what would be a frequent thing with HTTPs. However, as with everything, there is a downside. It takes a bit of time for downloads to be running in full throttle, as connecting to other peers can tae time. Also, becoming an effective uploader also takes time. Not to forget, while torrent file downloading will reach immensely high speeds, the speed will eventually fall near the end of the download as availability of the bits of the torrent file decrease.

Sharing Torrents and Files
First a user browses through the Internet looking for torrent files. Once a torrent file is obtained, the user will connect it through a torrent application and connect with the tracker. Then, the user will begin to download off of seeders and a group of peers known as the swarm. If there is one seeder, the user will directly connect to that seeder and begin to download, but eventually start to exchange files with other peers too, which lessens the burden on the seeder.

Applications of Torrent Files
Surprisingly, torrent files are widely used today by many individuals and some corporations.
Some bands like Ween uses torrent files to distribute their free albums
.torrent files are increasingly used by Podcasters to meet the high demands of these radio MP3s
The game Americas Army uses torrent files to release their updates and patches for the games
An immense number of open source and free softwares utilize torrent files to increase availability and awareness of the projects

Torrent Files Limitations
Although torrent files seem to be another great way to download and share files, it has some limitations such as security issues.
IP Address Exposed: The use of torrent files can lead to anonymity issues, as all IP addresses of current and potentially previous swarm users can be found and abused
Internet Speeds: It is best to use broadband when sharing torrent files, so dial-up users cannot take full advantage of the torrent technology
Leeching Problem: While sharing torrent files is good, it doesnt have many incentives behind it. Thus, there is no real reason to continue to seed after the download has finished. To fix this issue, some torrent sites have begun to limit the download speeds of users who do not upload often.

Free Torrent Applications to Download Torrent Files
In todays market there are both quality free open source and paid products to download torrent files.
BitTorrent: BitTorrent is the first and official torrent client made by Bram Cohen himself. It is supported in major operating systems such as Microsoft Windows, Apple, and Linux.
Azuerus (Vuze): This is also a widely used torrent client first released in SourceForge in June 2003. Released under the GNU General Public License, Azuerus is a constantly developed, free client.
Torrent (uTorrent): uTorrent, also known as microTorrent, is a torrent client written in C++. Because of its small size but a powerful interface, it is another widely used free torrent client. It was first released on December 7, 2006 between BitTorrent, Inc. and Ludvig Strigeus, but was later fully acquired by BitTorrent, Inc. because of the applications popularity, size, and power.

What are prepaid calling cards? Prepaid calling cards are telephone minutes which are purchased in advance.

Each prepaid calling cards come with PIN which are being use every time you make a call. But there are also some prepaid calling cards that do not have PIN in it. It is really up to you which one you prefer. Since prepaid calling cards come with different features, services and rates. So you have to give few of your time in order to know the features that several prepaid calling cards that have, so you can choose the one you desire and need.

How to make a call with the use of prepaid calling cards? The dialer will call the toll-free number and enter the access number or PIN before you actually can make the call you intend to. After you dialed the number of the person you are calling, the prepaid countdown begins.

Usually, more people use prepaid calling cards because they ant to lower their home phone bills and to avoid collect calls and high cell phone charges. Yes, prepaid calling cards can make you save money; it can cut your phone bills in half. Most prepaid calling cards come in increments of five, ten and twenty five dollars, so you have some choices to choose from. Prepaid calling cards can be bought any where from thirty minutes to ten hours, it actually depends on the company.

Anyone can purchase prepaid calling card any where, it can be in supermarkets, post offices, electronic stores, discount stores, these are just few of the places where you can buy prepaid calling cards. You can also purchase prepaid calling cards over the internet or through mail order catalogs, local newspapers and television commercials.

Yes, you can find and purchase prepaid calling cards almost any where, but you have to be careful though, it is not because the minutes on the prepaid calling cards are prepaid, it doesnt mean that they are bargain. You still have to shop around and do simple research to see which prepaid calling card can give you the most minutes for your money.

It doesnt mean if you bought ten dollar prepaid calling card, you will have ten dollars worth of minutes. You have to be aware that some prepaid calling cards come with surcharges and maintenance fees, or as soon as your prepaid calling card is activated, it is subjected with taxes, service fees and connection fees. With some prepaid calling cards, as soon as you use it with pay phone or hotel, you will be subjected with additional surcharge. You also have to check out the expiration dates, if there is, you have to use your prepaid calling card before that date in order to prevent to lose your money.

Prepaid calling cards are convenient for students and to those who travels a lot. Yes, prepaid calling cards are advantageous, with prepaid calling cards, you can now say goodbye with collect calls. With prepaid calling cards, you cant go wrong. You can definitely make calls any time and any where, so convenient and can give satisfaction.

A police scanner is basically just another type of a radio scanner. These special scanners can give and receive wireless radio signal transmissions and is becoming more and more of a household item. Police scanners are mainly used for both safety and business purposes. Unlike a FM or an AM radio signal which can only pick up their respective signals, the scanner will pick up a wide variety of signals and a number of them simultaneously too, allowing an easy check up on the various channels. Therefore, the term police scanners is simply a scanner that is tuned into the radio broadcasts done by the regions police department.

Advantages and Purposes of a Police Scanner
Surprisingly a police scanner can help people in many ways, whether it is through excitement or through a sense of safety.
Firstly, police scanners are quite exciting to tune into. It is a human instinct to want to know what is happening when, for example a police car, an ambulance, or a fire truck is blazing by. With a police scanner, a user would know exactly what is going on.
Also, it can help a user lessen the impact any potential environmental disasters may cause. For example, earthquakes, thunderstorms, and tornadoes could be immediately responded to by taking the necessary actions with the guidance of a police scanner.
Potential accidents such as toxic spills or power outages near the user can also be responded to if the user was tuning into a police scanner.
Neighborhood crimes are also unpredictable. However, with a police scanner, anyone can be constantly updated with the latest news and any precautions that they should take. A collective effort by many people with police scanners in the same neighborhood can lead to a much safer community.

Police Scanner Codes
Although the police scanner codes differ from region to region, mostly it is quite unified.

Police Scanner 10 Codes
10-0 Caution
10-1 Reception poor
10-2 Reception good
10-3 Stop transmitting
10-4 Message received, understood
10-5 Repay message
10-6 Change channel
10-7 Out of service
10-7A Out of service, home
10-7B Out of service, personal
10-8 In service
10-9 Repeat message
10-10 Off duty
10-10A Off duty, home
10-11 Identify frequency
10-12 Visitor(s) present
10-13 Weather and road advice
10-14 Citizen w/suspect
10-15 Prisoner in custody
10-16 Pick up prisoner
10-17 Request for gasoline
10-18 Equipment exchange
10-19 Return(ing) to station
10-20 Location
10-21 Telephone
10-21A Advise home I will return at:
10-22 Disregard last assignment
10-23 Stand by
10-24 Request car-to-car transmit
10-25 Do you have contact with:
10-26 Clear
10-27 D.D.L. report
10-28 Registration request
10-29 Check for wants
10-29F Subject wanted, felony
10-29H Hazard potential from subject
10-29M Subject wanted, Misdemeanor
10-29V Vehicle wanted
10-30 Doesn’t conform to regulations
10-32 Drowning
10-33 Alarm sounding, audible
10-34 Assist at office
10-35 Time check
10-36 Confidential information
10-37 Identify operator
10-39 Can () come to the radio?
10-40 Is () available for phone call?
10-42 Check the welfare of/at:
10-43 Call a doctor
10-45 Condition of patient?
10-45A Good
10-45B Serious
10-45C Critical
10-45D Dead
10-49 Proceed to:
10-50 Under influence of drugs
10-51 Drunk
10-52 Resuscitator
10-53 Man down
10-54 Possible dead body
10-55 Coroner case
10-56 Suicide
10-56A Suicide attempt
10-57 Missing person
10-59 Security check
10-60 Lock-out
10-61 Miscellaneous public service
10-62 Meet a citizen
10-62A Take a report from a citizen
10-62B Civilian standby
10-63 Prepare to copy
10-64 Found property
10-66 Suspicious person
10-67 Person calling for help
10-68 Telephone for police
10-70 Prowler
10-71 Shooting
10-72 Gun involved
10-73 How do you receive?
10-79 Bomb threat
10-80 Explosion
10-86 Any radio traffic?
10-88 Assume post
10-91 Animal
10-91A Animal, stray
10-91B Animal, noisy
10-91C Animal, injured
10-91D Animal, dead
10-91E Animal, bite
10-91G Animal, pickup
10-91J Animal, pickup collect
10-91L Animal, leash law violation
10-91V Animal, vicious
10-95 Need ID tech unit
10-97 Arrived at scene
10-98 Available to assign

Police Scanner 11 Codes
11-10 Take report
11-24 Abandoned vehicle
11-25 Traffic hazard
11-26 Abandoned bicycle
11-27 10-27 W/driver held
11-28 10-28 W/driver held
11-40 Advise if ambulance needed
11-41 Ambulance needed
11-42 No ambulance needed
11-48 Furnish transportation
11-51 Escort
11-52 Funeral detail
11-54 Suspicious vehicle
11-55 Officer being followed by auto
11-56 11-55 W/dangerous persons
11-57 Unidentified auto at assignments
11-58 Radio monitored, use phone
11-59 Intensive attention: high hazard,
business areas
11-60 Attack in high hazard area
11-65 Signal light out
11-66 Defective signal light
11-78 Aircraft accident
11-79 Accident – Ambulance sent
11-80 Accident – Major injuries
11-81 Accident – Minor injuries
11-82 Accident – No injuries
11-83 Accident – No detail
11-84 Direct traffic
11-85 Tow truck required
11-94 Pedestrian stop
11-95 Routine traffic stop
11-96 Checking suspicious vehicle
11-97 Time/security check on patrol
11-98 Meet:
11-99 Officer needs help!

Common Police Scanner Codes
187 Homicide
207 Kidnapping
207A Kidnapping attempt
211 Robbery
211A Robbery alarm
211S Robbery alarm, silent
217 Assault with intent to murder
240 Assault
242 Battery
245 Assault with a deadly weapon
246 Shooting at inhabited dwelling
261 Rape
261A Attempted rape
273A Child neglect
273D Wife beating – Felony
288 Lewd conduct
311 Indecent exposure
314 Indecent exposure
374B Illegal dumping
390 Drunk
390D Drunk, unconscious
415 Disturbance
417 Person with a gun
417A Person with a knife
459 Burglary
459A Burglar alarm
459S Burglar alarm, silent
470 Forgery
480 Hit and run – Felony
481 Hit and run – Misdemeanor
484 Petty theft
487 Grand theft
488 Petty theft
502 Drunk Driving
503 Auto theft
504 Tampering with a vehicle
505 Reckless driving
507 Public nuisance
510 Speeding or racing vehicles
586 Illegal parking
594 Malicious mischief
595 Runaway car
604 Throwing missiles
647 Lewd conduct
653M Threatening phone calls
Code Blue Bus/Cab in trouble
Code Red Varda Alarm activated
Code Purple Gang Activity
5150 Mental case
10851 Auto theft
10852 Tampering with vehicle
20001 Hit and run – Felony
20002 Hit and run – Misdemeanor
20007 Hit and run – Unattended
21958 Drunk pedestrian on roadway
22350 Speeding
22500 Illegal parking
23101 Drunk driving – injuries
23102 Drunk driving
23103 Reckless driver
23104 Reckless driver
23105 Driver under narcotics
23109 Racing
23110 Person throwing objects at
vehicles
23151 Drunk driving – injuries
23152 Drunk driver

Police Scanner I-37 Codes
Code 2 Urgent – no light or siren
Code 3 Use lights and siren
Code 4 No further assistance needed
Code 5 Stakeout
Code 6 Stay out of area
Code 7 Meal break
Code 8 Restroom break
Code 9 Summer uniform
Code 10 SWAT pre-call up
Code 11 SWAT Call up
Code 37 Subject/Property wanted

Medical and Fire Codes
Code 10 Critical Trauma case
Code 20 Acute Trauma case
Code 30 Trauma case
Code 40 Serious case (IV started)
Code 50 Basic transport (not serious)
Code N Newsworthy event

Anonymous email is a means of sending a message without revealing your identity. You may use it for personal email or chat, private business emails, and posting sites. It protects your privacy from unwanted communications or solicitations.

Uses for Anonymous Email

Sometimes you might wish you could talk to someone about a problem, but you think they will misunderstand or be offended. So, you never do it. Avoiding the problem can lead to greater problems. One solution to addressing distasteful issues is through anonymous email. On the other hand, you might like to compliment someone on a job well done but do not want to call attention to yourself. This is where sending an anonymous e mail would be a good thing to do.

Protect Your Privacy

Sending an anonymous email is an inventive way to protect your privacy. You will be able to express your feelings and opinions without fear of reprisal or censure. Setting up anonymous email accounts is simple to do with companies online who offer this service. By using their server, your emails cannot be traced back to you. Your messages are sent to the recipient with the server’s address. If they choose to reply, the message is sent to your server where you may retrieve it. It is different than private label email, which provides a separate address for you.

Contact Your Educational Facility

Some educational facilities are seeing the need to gain knowledge of opinions and views in a more confidential manner. Some of the sites that offer anonymous email have a list of school facilities that have registered to receive email from them. Even if they have not, you may use your anonymous email account to send communications.

If you’re a school principal or superintendent, there are positive grounds for using anonymous email. Your faculty might be more willing to speak out and point out trouble areas if they were not concerned about unpleasant consequences. They may feel more comfortable to speak out by remaining anonymous.

Parents and students may sometimes feel their opinion would not be heard in a respectable or reasonable manner so they hesitate to approach anyone in authority. The use of anonymous e mail makes it easier to report inappropriate behavior or dishonest practices by faculty or students without severe consequences or penalties.

Positive Anonymous Email

Anonymous email is not to be used to harass, threaten, or deceive others. It should be considered a privilege to voice your opinion or ideas anonymously. You don’t have to use it only to complain. Use it to make positive comments or to offer constructive criticism. If you would like to see things improve, have a supportive approach and a helpful attitude.

Using your anonymous email is an excellent mode of communication. When you see a need that should be addressed, don’t hesitate out of fear or embarrassment. Send a message that will help build integrity and trust in your learning environment.

Step Away From The Computer Before You Have A Mental Meltdown

Do I Read A Technical Manual Tonight, or The Lord Of The Rings?
—————————-
Just out of courtesy, I think I should tell you that the following article is about as far from my typical writings as I can get. Quite frankly, it is nothing more than a very tired technology guy ranting and raving. Maybe a little wining too.

My entire world is about technology; computers, data communication, wireless and wired Ethernet, PDA’s, mobile devices, firewalls, security assessments, and on and on and on. I’m so addicted to technology and business that I have trouble deciding whether to read a technical manual or a good sci-fi / fantasy novel.

I love what I do and have no plans on making any changes in the foreseeable future but something as simple as checking the time of day nearly resulted in a mental nuclear meltdown this morning. This week has been considerably stressing. I have written at least eight significant proposals, performed continuous work on a report for a external security assessment, made and received way to many phone calls, and have been staying up to all hours of the night, or morning depending on how you look at it (It’s 2am on Saturday right now).

My Kingdom For The Right Time On All My Clocks!
————————————————–
This morning, I literally became overwhelmed when I looked at the time on my desktop computer. Between all the laptops, digital and analog clocks, stereos, televisions, cable box, DVD players, and other electronic devices in my home, there are 28 devices that display the time of day. And guess what, there was about a 5 minute delta in the current time between this vast amount of time pieces. It sounds quite ridiculous but I nearly freaked out. With all the technology at our disposal, you would think it would be easy to synchronize all the time pieces in my home. And keep them synchronized!

Ok, this article is not really about clocks but it was “time” that set me off this morning. The fact is, like many others, time is something that I just don’t have much of. I believe Mr. Einstein would take a relatively strong position on this issue of mine. On top of the time issue, how much technology, or should I say , how much continuous exposure to technology can the human brain take before it just explodes. My family, friends, and associates routinely ask me “How in the world can you remember all these things about computers?” Sometimes I wonder this myself.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I wish I could just completely isolate myself from everything electronic; spinning fans, clicking hard drives, bussing monitors (even these darn flat panels), the clicking of the keys when I type, and lets not forget the inevitable beeping of my UPS’s several times a day because Florida Power and Light can’t seem to regulate the flow of electricity in a stable fashion.

It’s Vacation Time: Technology Prohibited At All Times
—————————-
I’ve been in the technology business all of my life. Do you know it took about 5 years of my wife complaining about me bringing laptops and other technology gadgets with me on vacations before I finally wised up. And guess what, the first time I left technology behind on one of our summer vacations, it was like someone had lifted a tremendous weight off my shoulders. It was so unbelievable that when my wife asked me where the laptop was it took her the entire day to believe me when I said I left it at home.

I know I’m not the only person that has these little “moments”. My New Years resolution this year was to simplify my life. I’m not embarrassed to say that I’ve not made much progress yet but I am not going to give up. I am going to bring harmony to my life if it kills me in the process.

Conclusion
———–
I won’t blame anyone who reads this article and feels compelled to send me a bill. After reviewing what I’ve written here it reads like notes taken during a psychotherapy session:. I’ve decided that I’m taking the day off from technology, right after I’m done posting this article. And now, I’m tired and going to get some sleep.

You may reprint or publish this article free of charge as long as the bylines are included.

Original URL (The Web version of the article)
————

http://www.defendingthenet.com/NewsLetters/StepAwayFromTheComputerBeforeYouHaveAMentalMeltdown.htm