how many "connections" should I have?
 

In the Connections tab:

Keep approximately xx connections up


Why 3 and not 5 or 50?

what are the performance implications?
Does having DSL vs. cable vs. T1 matter?

thank you.

Each connection uses resources. Both yours and the Gnutella network. Too many will bog you down.

I use a DSL connection and set my default to four because that is where my system operates best. My searches and connections seem to be optomized with four connections. Others may disagree but that works best for me.

If you have a fast connection you may sometimes become an ultrapeer in which case you will have many more leaf connections.

Norm