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AndyP
27th October 2004, 08:16 PM
Now that I have broadband, I was wondering what stuff I should download?

For example, I have just downloaded:

Ad-Aware and Spybot Spyware Blockers/Removers (Choice recommended that these be used in conjunction)

Firefox Web Browser

Any other helpful suggestions?

markTHEblake
27th October 2004, 08:50 PM
Spybot doesnt do anything extra than what Ad-aware does. That was according to a recent independant review of Spyware removers.

Get yourself E-Mule, i think one of the better P2P programs in respect of getting very large files, like full length movies. Kazaa Lite is OK too.

Though in my experience downloading TV episodes often the original encoder didnt know what he is doing and the results are crap.

Bruce
27th October 2004, 09:11 PM
The VERY FIRST thing you should download and run if you have broadband is a firewall like Zonealarm.

The VERY SECOND thing is the latest Service Pack for your OS.

Don't download the standard version of Realplayer - get the BBC customised one from http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/audiohelp_install.shtml which has all the ad stuff removed. Then you can listen to thing like the new release Hitchikers Guide episodes.

Don't forget to get the Firefox extensions like mouse gestures. You will never use the BACK button again.

Go to http://www.popcap.com to find heaps of great web games.

BHODemon is a good one to get too. Stops those pesky browser help objects infesting your system (another form of spyware).

Visit http://www.ifilm.com for videos. They have music clips, TV spots, Movie trailers and other fun stuff.

markTHEblake
27th October 2004, 09:19 PM
The VERY FIRST thing you should download and run if you have broadband is a firewall like Zonealarm.

The VERY SECOND thing is the latest Service Pack for your OS.

Good suggestions, but both of these things a internet user needs whether he has broadband or not.

McMw
27th October 2004, 10:10 PM
I recently installed spamblockerutility -> seems to do the job well...

Eag's
27th October 2004, 10:51 PM
AndyP If you are going to get Adaware then download Adaware SE. Scans your system even deeper than the original.
A even better firewall than Zone Alarm is Sygate Personel Firewall
http://www.sygate.com/ and it is also free :wink:

For music, movies etc... you can't beat a good Bit torrent client such as Azureas http://azureus.sourceforge.net/ :smt023

Or a program which is a lot easier to configure that is also tops for downloads is Limewire http://www.limewire.com/english/content/home.shtml

Jarro
28th October 2004, 04:00 AM
get busy AndyP ... looks like you have a lot of downloading to do :roll:

Fishman Dan
28th October 2004, 06:55 AM
AP - what was your cap? Did you stick to the 200 mb, or go further?

I use Ad-Aware for my anti-spam, and don't have Zone Alarm - probably should i guess, complacency huh. 8) Just make sure you have up-to-date anti-virus (a package that will download/update automatically) such as McAfee or Symantec anti-virus, there are plenty more out there but these ones i trust beyond all others.

And the tip about MS Security Patches is 100%. If you don't want to blow your cap (so to speak), then i am sure any nerd-based magazine with a disc on the front will have XP Service Pack 2 on it.

eMule? Make sure you have a big cap. On another note - Do you know if you are metred for UPLOADS aswell as downloads? eMule will chew up the cap if your uploads count towards it.

drunken
28th October 2004, 07:22 AM
You should remember that many ADSL Modem/Routers have very good built in firewalls as well.

AndyP
28th October 2004, 08:04 AM
AP - what was your cap? Did you stick to the 200 mb, or go further?
I did get the 200MB limit, hence the request for "essential" downloads. But all of the other suggestions are good too, just doesn't mean I am going to download them.



I use Ad-Aware for my anti-spam, and don't have Zone Alarm - probably should i guess, complacency huh. 8) Just make sure you have up-to-date anti-virus (a package that will download/update automatically) such as McAfee or Symantec anti-virus, there are plenty more out there but these ones i trust beyond all others.
OK, I'll just install Ad-Aware then, and trash Spybot.
I'm currently using PC-Cillin 2002 (with constant updates), which is anti-virus and firewall. Is this not good?


And the tip about MS Security Patches is 100%. If you don't want to blow your cap (so to speak), then i am sure any nerd-based magazine with a disc on the front will have XP Service Pack 2 on it.
When I installed Windows XP, I also installed beta versions of the Service Packs, the updates since have been very minor (about 6 MB).


eMule? Make sure you have a big cap. On another note - Do you know if you are metred for UPLOADS aswell as downloads? eMule will chew up the cap if your uploads count towards it.
Uploads are not included, but I won't be doing much of this with my cap anyway.
BTW, how big a file is a movie or TV episode?

Fishman Dan
28th October 2004, 08:50 AM
I'm currently using PC-Cillin 2002 (with constant updates), which is anti-virus and firewall. Is this not good?

It's been around for some time. Find out if you have the full product, or a 30-day demo. As long as it updates, you should be fine. Updates are usually under 1 mb each, and come out weekly, so no thread to your cap.


BTW, how big a file is a movie or TV episode?

A movie starts at about 700 mb for decent quality, can get to 4 gb (4000mb). Hence our advice to go after the large cap ISP's ;)

markTHEblake
28th October 2004, 08:55 AM
I did get the 200MB limit, hence the request for "essential" downloads.

well mate that means you dont 'need' any of this stuff just because you have broadband.

With the limit you have your just going to be happy that Ozgolf pages loads a bit faster, give you a great chance to catch Jarro for top dribbler of the year.

[/quote]BTW, how big a file is a movie or TV episode?[/quote]

Divx videos are typically sized to fit on a single CDR, so 700mb. for half or one hour tv shows, most likely they tend to fit 2 one hour episodes (46 mins each), into 700mb.

DVD full length movie files are going to be 4.4gig or more.

AndyP
28th October 2004, 09:19 AM
I'm currently using PC-Cillin 2002 (with constant updates), which is anti-virus and firewall. Is this not good?
It's been around for some time. Find out if you have the full product, or a 30-day demo. As long as it updates, you should be fine. Updates are usually under 1 mb each, and come out weekly, so no thread to your cap.
Pretty sure it's the full product, came with the PC. Seems to ask for updates more often than weekly though.


With the limit you have your just going to be happy that Ozgolf pages loads a bit faster
Yep, got it coz it's faster, unlimited time (incl drop to dialup speed) and doesn't tie up the phone line.
We'll see what my needs are in twelve months time.

Fishman Dan
28th October 2004, 09:26 AM
We'll see what my needs are in twelve months time.

I give him 4 weeks.

AndyP
28th October 2004, 07:31 PM
My reporting period ends in five days, so I have over 100MB to burn. :-k

Jarro
28th October 2004, 08:17 PM
With the limit you have your just going to be happy that Ozgolf pages loads a bit faster, give you a great chance to catch Jarro for top dribbler of the year.



thanks Blakey, you sure know how to make a bloke feel good.

Ducky
28th October 2004, 09:52 PM
Well, I'm just about to upgrade to a 28GB plan on 1500/256. I have went over my 16GB limit on 512/128 for the second month in a row, so it's time to upgrade. But hey, I'm sure the internet can be fun on 200MB...

:smt016

Kind regards,

Ben (Ducky).

AndyP
27th April 2006, 08:28 PM
So.....what's changed here?

Moe Norman
27th April 2006, 08:37 PM
i for one hope you're not still on a 200mb plan - crazy stuff.

my one essential download each week is LOST, but there's been a two week break so I'm hanging out at the moment as it's getting pretty good now.

AndyP
27th April 2006, 08:46 PM
i for one hope you're not still on a 200mb plan - crazy stuff. Not crazy at all. I just changed in the last month, on 2GB now. I don't really download anything.

I'm looking into torrent stuff at the moment, so I can use up the leftover bandwidth at the end of a month, which should be 1GB plus.

Moe Norman
27th April 2006, 08:50 PM
i'm on ADSL2 and hit my 20gb limit every month with a few days to go. Luckily it 'caps' me when I hit 20gb at 512k - lol.

Eag's
27th April 2006, 09:14 PM
i'm on ADSL2 and hit my 20gb limit every month with a few days to go. Luckily it 'caps' me when I hit 20gb at 512k - lol.

C'mon Moe, how much Porn is enough :smt002

My must haves each week are Prison Break & Lost and a few other series I am into. I am on a ADSL2 20Gig plan as well, but never go over my cap :)

Moe Norman
27th April 2006, 09:42 PM
how sweet is ADSL2.

My 350mb LOST Downloads take about 25 minutes now!

If i bothered to fire BT back up, it would probably be quicker.

I use alot of it up watching football replays and Golf Course flyover/walk throughs.

Andrew
27th April 2006, 10:00 PM
Did you ever speak to Jack about essential downloads. I'm sure he would have some suggestions.

Moe Norman
27th April 2006, 10:10 PM
boysfood comes to mind.

gazgolf1
28th April 2006, 05:00 AM
Using http://www.ewido.net/en/ instead of adaware these days....seems to pick up more stuff.

Webster
28th April 2006, 05:36 AM
boysfood comes to mind.

should satisfy any young fella's appetite.........

connico
28th April 2006, 08:58 AM
If your looking at torrents try something like Rufus, there are plenty out there but rufus takes little system resource and isnt java based like alot of BT clients. java clients are bad...they lag a pc and they can crash.

if your looking for torrents try such sites as TorrentSpy and TorrentReactor.com but make sure your using some form of spyware protection or atleast firebox broswer.

Courty
28th April 2006, 09:29 AM
if your looking for torrents try such sites as TorrentSpy and TorrentReactor.com but make sure your using some form of spyware protection or atleast firebox broswer.

IsoHunt is good for torrents, and so is TVTorrents (for TV shows only)

I get Prison Break, Lost & Invasion every week. :D

AndyP
28th April 2006, 12:01 PM
What BT clients are most of you using?

Courty
28th April 2006, 12:05 PM
What BT clients are most of you using?

I use Bits on Wheels (for Mac, of course ;))

connico
28th April 2006, 12:24 PM
What BT clients are most of you using?

Rufus, open source and no spyware

goughy
28th April 2006, 05:54 PM
Bit Torrent. Used to be azurus or whatever. Should we try something better. Seems pretty slow, although not as slow as azurus was.

AndyP
28th April 2006, 06:58 PM
From what I've read Azureus and Bit Torrent are two different clients. Bit Torrent is the original and doesn't have any customisation.

AndyP
28th April 2006, 09:14 PM
I've downloaded Rufus, but I'm not sure how to get things running. I've downloaded a torrent file, but am getting the following message.


Problem connecting to tracker [http://tracker.bt-chat.com/announce] - timeout exceeded

I haven't changed my configuration at all, but have noticed it mentioned on sites, but have found it a bit confusing???

PRC
4th May 2006, 05:23 AM
I'm an Emule fan
Go here for your links: http://forum.sharevirus.com/

And use this for your IP filter: http://bluetack.co.uk/config/antip2p.txt

If I use Bit Torrent I use Azureus but I prefer Emule because it's range of files are unmatched. Of course I only use it for downloading Ubuntu and other Linux isos.

AndyP
4th May 2006, 07:13 AM
I think the trackers I was looking at were dead, but I got rid of Rufus anyway. I'm a beginner at this, so I've gone with Azureus.

Downloaded my first torrent last night. It's slow work with my connection, but it doesn't matter too much when you leave it overnight.

Maybe I'll have a look at Emule later.

Fishman Dan
4th May 2006, 09:20 AM
I use Azureus - it's not super-quick but it's reliable. It depends on the file you're downloading, i.e. recent TV episodes tend to come very quickly.

AndyP
4th May 2006, 09:43 AM
Fish, would having a slow upload speed affect my download speed in BitTorrenting? I'm on 256/64. Although once I limited my upload speed via the client, the download got faster.
2hrs for about 90MB, although it probably did about 60MB in the last hour.

connico
4th May 2006, 11:47 AM
andyP, use any client, is all the same, its about the torrent that you using. If the torrents have alot of seeders, they are people that are distributing and dont download then your download would go faster.

Bit torrent relies on a download upload ratio, if you have restricted your upload you download may suffer. But if your using your full bandwidth to upload then your surfing will suffer. Leave the computer on all night to download and delimit your upload at that that time. Limit your upload when your surfing or doing net things.

To maximise your download, open up more than 4 ports for your client, if your behind a router you will need to modify your port settings. Also use torrents that have plenty of seeders and people downloading, the more peers you have the more pieces you can download at anyone time.

connico
4th May 2006, 11:57 AM
256 adsl is pretty slow to, so dont expect to much from download speads, you should be averaging abuot 10-20kb/s maybe peeking at 30kbs..

AndyP
4th May 2006, 12:09 PM
From what I saw, upload was no more than 10, and download wasn't too much more.
I don't plan on using the PC while doing this, is will be an overnight thing. But I did notice that when I limited the upload the download was faster not slower as you suggest.

I changed to Azureus because it is more common and I would be able to get answers to my questions faster. Rufus doesn't have much of an online presence.

In regards to ports, Azureus did the setting up for me, which I think was a single port. I just have a D-Link modem, as initially provided by Optus.

connico
4th May 2006, 12:25 PM
If you read up on bittorrent you'll notice that the system is reliant on sharing, so you get piority if your sharing ratio is greather than someone else. Regardless use wha works for you..

If your not sharing your interne connection than thats great azureus should have setup multiple ports i think the standard at 6667-6669 or something like that...your 256 should be trying to get down a little quicker than 10kb/s, should peek at 30kb/s on a good torrent. Might need to have a look at what ports azureus is using and maybe increase them...increasing ports will increase the amount of connections you can maintain and download from.

AndyP
4th May 2006, 12:29 PM
I'll have a look as I get into it a little more. Last night was a tester. Now that I know that I can in fact download torrent, I can work on optimising.

connico
4th May 2006, 12:30 PM
excellent, what are you looking to download anyhows?? and andy remind what service you went with?

AndyP
4th May 2006, 12:38 PM
excellent, what are you looking to download anyhows?? and andy remind what service you went with?
Legal downloads only, of course.
Not much really, connico. I'll look for stuff at the end of my billing cycle to use up my remaining bandwidth which will probably be in the order of 1.5GB, so I won't be downloading DVDs or anything like that.

I signed up with People Telecom, whose internet side of things was previously known as Swiftel.

connico
4th May 2006, 01:38 PM
Well if you find out if they have usenet server you can download from there at the maxium speed allowable :)

Courty
4th May 2006, 02:57 PM
Legal downloads only, of course.
Not much really, connico. I'll look for stuff at the end of my billing cycle to use up my remaining bandwidth which will probably be in the order of 1.5GB, so I won't be downloading DVDs or anything like that.

Check your ISP AndyP, most of them have mirror sites that don't count towards your download limit.

Walter Ego
4th May 2006, 07:16 PM
...increasing ports will increase the amount of connections you can maintain and download from.

You don't need to open any more ports with Azureus it only uses one, even though the default installation opens several. I use one in the 50000 range and regularly get over 400 kB/s on well seeded torrents.

The secret of BT is to find a good private tracker rather than use the public trackers.

connico
4th May 2006, 11:52 PM
hmmm have used azureus much so i didnt know its a single port torrent client...sounds a bit sus now i think of it..

regardless yes private trackers are hard to come by unless your a usenet freak/subscriber in a secret society of leechers and pirates lol, or you could try irc.