Hi,
I'm still trying to understand Limewire and how things work around there. Now I have some files I want to share so I have the files in the shared folder. Some people are downloading them but I don't want them to download them if they have nothing to share. So if I don't see that they are sharing then I block the hosts and kill the uploads. However, I'm worried that I'm not doing something right. I have a router which can act like a firewall. So I went to direct connect tab to reach the host that is downloading a file of mine and there's a error message saying that they can't browse the host. Now I know that's not because he is offline. I know he is online because he's downloading something from me. Could this mean that he has nothing to share? I've tried browsing quite a few times for hosts that are downloading my files but so far, none have been able to be browsed. When I go to direct connect, there's this message on top: "your computer is behind a firewall or router and cannot receive direct connections." Now I have browsed a host before and have been able to see what files they had. Then as I went to the "library," and I look at the uploads column and some of the files might say, 2/3 or 5/9 or something like that. That means the person was able to browse me, and download my files and complete the downloads right? That's why I'm confused, I thought with my router they can't even browse me or download stuff from me but it looks like they are. There are also hits for the files I have as well. Anyone can explain to me what's going on? I do want to share my files but I wanted to make sure they are able to download them and I also want to make sure that I do get what they have because I have been blocking hosts I've browsed and found that they can't be browsed. And I don't want to block hosts who can actually share.

no one knows? Wow! So here I am, just sharing stuff without knowing whether I am able to get their files or without knowing that they can finish downloading my stuff.

It is almost impossible to know if people are sharing or not!!! Browsing is an inefficient means of finding this out. The Browse function hasn't been updated in a long time. eg: I've tried to browse someone without success. 10 mins later I browsed them & got zero results although the search results showed. 5 mins later I browsed them & got 60 results. 20 mins later or so I browsed them & got over 600 results. This has happened far too often which shows that browsing is not a definitive method of knowing if people are sharing or not. Browsing & even direct connecting can give different results on each occasion. These depend upon how much bandwidth you & them have available, & how many if any upload slots you & them have available at that time. And other factors may include local & distant traffic on the net, etc.

It is more difficult to browse someone uploading from you than someone you're downlding from. If they have the chat icon showing, there's a greater chance of a successful browse (but not guaranteed.)

Some clients are also difficult to browse if not impossible. These include Shareaza (RAZA) - generally due to lack of slots & bandwidth they offer for gnutella network, Gnucleus, ...

I don't think blocking hosts will do anyone any favors. They may well be sharing but you can't browse them at that time. It may be due to them not having chat enabled because they choose not to want to chat. At a later time you may want to downld from them (obviously you have similar interests) but since you blocked them .... just IMHO

well limewire really needs to do something about this. Like you said, it hasn't been updated. Any word on what's being done to fix this?

Not yet. You can set options in the Tools>Options>Advanced>Preferencing but the slider doesn't work. And I have doubts how effective the other option is. I do believe it has some effect. In my trials it does seem to filter out some.

You answered just before I was about to add an edit. Sometimes I can direct connect to someone & get 4 star connection, 20 mins later I can re-direct connect but only get perhaps 2 or 1 star connection quality showing. That shows how dynamic the net is with traffic & also about how much bandwidth the other person has available.

First of all, i want to say a Sincere THANK YOU for all the dedicated users out there, Ive been using Limewire for about 2 years now and LOVE it!!! Ive downloaded tons of music and have found new artists to enjoy. and YES i STILL buy cds as much as i can. I would like to give back if i can-Are the songs i listen to in "my computer" automatically shared? Im basically a computer novice so any help would be appreciated-thanks

The files that show in the LW Library window are shared (with exception of the incomplete folder unless you have partial file sharing allowed under Tools>Options>Uplds>Basic) & Saved Files folder (unless you allow it under Tools>Options>Sharing & tick share finished downlds.)

To add files & folders to share, see How to Share Folders (click on link)