Hi, I apologize for newbie questions but I am trying to make sense of seedboxes and decide if I need one. Based on what I am reading, using a seedbox makes sense if (1) one worries about positive ratio on a private tracker and (2) one worries about safety/security. Is it accurate?

If it is, let's take these reasons apart...
1) Maintaining a positive ratio on a private tracker. First of all, when seeding/uploading files on a private tracker is it the upload speed that determines whether other peers download from you or from other people who seed the same files? For example, if I am uploading/seeding a 100MB file I am guaranteed to get a 100MB credit towards my ratio (as it gets uploaded for the first time) but if my connection is slow my ratio will not really get any better no matter how long I am seeding cuz other users will most likely be downloading from other seeders with faster connection. But if my upload speed is awesome, my 100MB of uploaded file can turn into GBs of ratio because peers will be downloading from me over and over again. Correct?

If it is the speed that matters then using a seedbox should help, cuz it's much faster. OK, I get this. But then again, most of the private trackers offer donations that can "buy" you download credit. Of course, the math will vary by tracker and the amount one is willing to donate at any given time but $20 per month that one can spend on a seedbox can instead be donated to the tracker in exchange for improved ratio... Or a one-time $100 donation every 5 months which can "buy" way more GBs than 5 donations of $20...

2) According to what I read, using a seedbox allows one to stay invisible to "piracy police". Isn't it what a VPN does? Do I need to spend additional $20/month on a seedbox if I have a VPN?

The bottom line is that I am not convinced I need a seedbox but I see so many people using them. Obviously they know something I don't. Please help me join the party!

If I am totally off in my questions, please point me to a place where I can find more info.

Thank you!