sorry about that. i have OSX 10.2.8. the firewall exists between the server and the connection to the internet and not between individual computers and thier connection to the net. i have a server connection to the net and therefore i would imagine that it's best described as a cable/dsl connection. the IT guy here at work has sat down with me and we're both confused. a Gnutella port has been opened and it does seem to attempt a connection but then drops it. i never get above the first bar of connection quality. everything is enbaled as far as the port goes and we can't think of anything else. any ideas?