Secret Trackers

O.K., now that I’ve got your attention, let me try to not disappoint you by saying this blog article is done in accordance with TPS’ philosophy of respecting trackers’ wishes, and therefore there will be no names, urls, or even initials of trackers commonly thought of as “secret.” So with that out of the way, in your torrent travels, you may come across a nickname or set of initials of a tracker that you’ve never heard of. You search torrent forums and blogs, and don’t find much. Indeed, if someone brings up the topic, a response is usually something to the effect of “if you’re not a member there you don’t need to know about it.” So what are these places. Generally they are smaller than your average tracker, but members make up for it by being more active. As far as content goes, you could say the torrent:member ratio is usually higher than that of the average tracker. Whether or not the content is unique depends on the tracker. What generally is said about such places is “community.” That is, the members there are usually a tight-knit group and there’s lots of forum and IRC activity. Although these places are publicity shy, for the most part they have no intention of coming across as “elite” or try to increase interest in their site by being “secret.” They would most likely prefer have non-members know nothing about them at all.

So how does one get into such places? First off, let me say how NOT to get in. Do not start any threads in forums or in IRC asking what the place is or what the url of the site is. Sometimes it’s better not to be nosy. Definitely do not write the tracker is your “dream tracker.” Since you know nothing about the place, it is your “dream tracker” only because it is “secret.” A very wrong reason to belong to a tracker, my friend. Also remember that these trackers are not only “no-movement” when it comes to offering or requesting invites openly, they are “no-discussion” as well. There are either no or very limited reviews of these places seen anywhere.

So, it may be a cliché of the BitTorrent world, but the saying goes “You don’t go out finding the tracker; it finds you.” In other words, be active at your communities and torrent forums and get to know people. Show you are a good member with regular, steady use of your trackers. Maybe you’ll get noticed and the tracker will “find you.” Maybe after finding out more about a place that “found you” you will think the place is not for you. That’s o.k. as well.

Speaking personally, I became a member of one such place almost by “accident.” I had never heard of it before, mainly because I have no desire to be poking into places I shouldn’t be. But once in, it turned out to be a “perfect match” and it has become one of my trackers that I am most active at. But that’s all I’m going to say.