I always watch what torrent sites I use - there are a couple that I use a lot - The Box, TV Torrents and Demonoid. If I'm stuck, I'll use Pirate Bay.
I always read the comments as well - just to make sure that other downloaders are happy with what they're downloading.
I really only download TV shows - though you can get anything -music, films, games, applications - just be careful.
Anyone know what the copyright/piracy laws are on TV shows? I didn't think they were illegal to download and watch - cos they've been on the TV! And very handy with some programmes that went over to Sky (if you don't have Sky) or the likes of ITV1 programmes that are no longer shown in Scotland (OK, I confess, I watch Midsomer Murders!).
The etiquette is that you should upload the same amount (if not more) than you download - so as to share it.
Copyrights are a very sticky wicket, as even whats only shown in Scotland, might not be covered for the rest of the UK, even though they are receivable through the non official Sky channels, 960+??? or by manually entering new LNB frequency, to receive one off uplinks (ie when TV channels use the Sky satellite to broadcast content to one another - there are lists of frequencies listed in technical journals). If copyright wasn't an issue, then how is it legal that the BBC, publicly funded, charge for programmes they made, as DVD boxsets, that have already been broadcast? Fine if they charge for the cost of materials and packaging, but they don't. So can you legally download the same?
It's the same with MAME roms, you must legally own the chip that the software came from, to use it. So MAME is free, they give you some free images, to play some games, but most games are obsolete, and the publisher went bust 20 years ago, so no chance to ever play that game again, unless you buy a 20 year old arcade machine. But Sony etc, buy up the rights to these, and rerelease them, running under Linux, on a PS2, and charge £20, about £18 more than what they cost origionally.
So what to make your PC run like a Spectrum, or BBC, or Amstrad, playing manic minor? Or an arcade machine that doesn't exist anymore? Double Dragon, multiplayer online is great fun! That's preserving the past, not stealing bad quality DVD's. If I were to download a DVD (and I don't have a DVD burner, and never have), I'd probably watch it once, good films that I have seen, I've bought. Can't do that with obsolete software, but same rules apply.
