The torrent is still a faster way of sync for the newbies. I have recommended the seed to the Chinese:
[...]
With new versions, the torrent is ABSOLUTELY NOT FASTER. It is faster and easier to allow Bitcoin Core to sync normally, no need to download a massive file, and the sync is faster due to headers-first synchronization.
Sorry, but I can not confirm this; at least not if you have access to a very fast internet connection.
![Grin](https://bitcointalk.org/Smileys/default/grin.gif)
I've just downloaded the latest block chain (bootstrap.dat: 2015-12-10) from Flo's Press 4u:
https://flo.sh/bitcoin-qt-bootstrap-dat/uncompressed the zipfile to my ~/.bitcoin application directory and restartet a brand new Bitcoin-Qt v0.11.2.
Bitcoin-Qt imported the bootstrap file within minutes. So I'm ready to go (download and unpacking of the bootstrap zip file included) within less than two hours using recent equipment!
![Cool](https://bitcointalk.org/Smileys/default/cool.gif)
Just starting the plain Bitcoin-Qt client would have taken many hours if not days to complete the same task
![Tongue](https://bitcointalk.org/Smileys/default/tongue.gif)
Nevertheless downloading a bootstrap file may be counterproductive using a slow internet access technology.