That is correct. For geoblocked content only available in certain regions, a VPN is still useful. However, much of that content can be obtained through other methods. You could download it and use Plex/Jellyfin to stream it to Roku or Firestick.
Honestly that is fine. Just consider this to be one of the times you hear about I2P. I also don't typically start paying much attention to something unless I've heard it like 3 or more times.
So it looks like setup on ubuntu should be pretty straightforward. Follow these steps to install the java client as a package: https://geti2p.net/en/download/debian
Then under their Post-install work on the bottom of that page follow this:
as a service that automatically runs when your system boots, even before logging in. The service can be enabled with "dpkg-reconfigure i2p" as root or using sudo. This is the recommended means of operation.
That will cause i2p to automatically run at startup. You can use the other methods there if you don't want that behavior. Lastly, you'll need to configure a browser to use i2p. https://geti2p.net/en/about/browser-config
Firefox is a good one to use for it but you can use librewolf or another one.
And I think that's it as far as setup for ubuntu. Let me know if you have more questions : )
That's fair. I like proton : )
This is hilarious. Thank you hahahahah.
That's exactly correct!
Yes! You still get to make outgoing connections to anybody who can accept incoming connections.
Port forwarding makes it so you can accept incoming connections.
Oh also for your last question: Firewalls and NAT. NAT stands for network address translation. NAT is what these services use for getting people to 'share' ip addresses in a pool and then map ports to each person/host. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_address_translation
It's worked well enough for me. Keep in mind this is just for public trackers. Private trackers shouldn't be used with a VPN anyway and you don't need to use i2p for them.
If you're happy with their service then that's great! I used PIA for a long time too.
You can cross-seed with people over clearnet using qBittorrent or BiglyBT, but that also exposes your IP to clearnet people. So you could get DMCA notices if it is copywrited content.
Otherwise typically no you will only be downloading and seeding with people on I2P if you haven't chosen to cross-seed.
Yeh I had tried torrenting on Tor a LONG time ago but people made it clear to not do that on Tor for one reason or another. But on i2p, the devs made a torrent client directly into the software. It was one of their features and something they want people to use.