none of my downloads never get past the "connecting" phase or they go to "need more sources" is there anything i can do to get better results?

Are you trying to download new releases or really popular files? There are a lot of fake files around now. Typically, these are new releases (not always though) with heaps of sources (up to 100)...they'll sit 'connecting' & go straight to 'need more sources'.

Search again. Vary your search terms - look for artist, album, actors' name(s), director etc. Try the All Types search. Stay away from files with huge numbers of sources, go for a file with 10 sources or less. Search at different times of day... as users in other time zones log on & off, new sources become available. If you're searching for video, look up a file before download with Bitzi (click on link)
How to use Bitzi

Ya, one of 2 things is goin on right now:

1)The File Is VERY Popular (try downloading a random- unheard of song and see if that fixes it)

2)Fake File (donloand one of the other possiblitlities listed under that name)