[I have an eMac running 10.2.8 and I now use (lemme go look) LimeWire 4.0.7. I plan on getting pro in a few days when I can afford it. I have the built-in firewall running. I have cable internet.]

Anyway I'm totally lost. I just started doing the whole Limewire thing like three days ago and the more I read the more confused I get.

So I understand you can still share while you're disconnected. What's the point of disconnecting then? Frankly I don't care if people get stuff off my computer the entire 10-odd hours a day I have it on and don't need to conserve bandwidth (whatever bandwidth is). I don't even care if people come into my house when I'm sleeping and copy all my CDs as long as they leave a cookie. But I would like to have the option to turn sharing OFF if I wanna email someone thirty 10MB files all at once. I do not think I am in any way stingy but I would like to know what exactly is happening with my computer. I mean it IS mine. Mac people have the tendency to leave tons of applications running because of how sturdy OSX is, but do I need to close LimeWire to be sure I'm not uploading? And while we're on the topic, how does someone like me who doesn't know squat about computers know I'm not uploading when LimeWire is off?

Mr. and/or Ms. Unregistered said:

"I use Freedom http://www.freedom.net and it lets people connect as long as I'm using LimeWire but once I close LimeWire it starts blocking."

So I need to worry about having a firewall because people might be snooping around on my computer even when LimeWire is turned off -- does this have anything to do with the fact that I now use LimeWire sometimes or is it because the internet is just unsafe in general, even for someone who's never heard of LimeWire?

I just got cable internet a few days ago, and before that I never downloaded or uploaded anything at all, so if I seem ignorant, well I am.

If anyone knows that the answers I'm looking for can already be found somewhere please redirect me. I tried searching but I'm not even sure I know enough of the terminology to search effectively.

Love ya guys!