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.
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!
Just starting the plain Bitcoin-Qt client would have taken many hours if not days to complete the same task
Nevertheless downloading a bootstrap file may be counterproductive using a slow internet access technology.