Some 320 kbps files are themselves reconverted files Yes I've come across those too, more-so than I like . Highly disappointing compared to the 'original' 128 kbps conversion files. This reconverting practice needs to be stamped out of the network. Increasing mp3 from 128 to 320 does not increase quality as you obviously know. They set to max quality but result is less quality.

(There may also be particular codecs used for conversion which also affect quality! There are definitely some poor quality codecs out there but so many options for windows users they simply don't realise.)

For you to be reconverting files sounds of desperation to save Hard Disk space. sighs. If you do reconvert, please don't share those ones. (would you want to download an audio file that had been re-converted 3-10 times lol ? JPeg -1 or worse! )

Quotes are easy to muck up lol np

I wouldn't exactly call it desperation; okay so I used to be short on hard drive space, but I could've simply chosen not to share as many files as I do....
If the files are good quality at 128 - and as I said before, I wouldn't download them in the first place if they sounded inferior - then I just don't see any reason to 'waste' space if it isn't necessary....
As you know, I now download to a 320GB hard drive, but a lot of my files are still 128....
Whatever the bitrate of a song, if I myself am not completely satisfied by the quality of a file, whether 'converted' or not - then I wouldn't expect anyone else to be - so therefore wouldn't share it, full stop.
As I said earlier, I've downloaded files at higher bitrates, I daresay a mixture of converted and unconverted - and after changing some of them to 128, they actually sounded much better. Obviously that's not always the case and if it sounds better at 256 or 320, then I'll upload it as such....

Believe me, I 'vet' all my files before sharing them - even checking that they actually do go all the way to the end - the amount of songs I've downloaded and they just cut off or have 10 minutes of silence at the end. Now that's annoying!

Lord of the Rings & PickaxeFairy

After reading through your posts I must say that I am on both sides of the fence on this one:

LOTR

You said: Well, I agree with the sentiment but disagree with every fibre of my being about the action. You see, the Internet and gnutella networks are about freedom of choice and in "no way" should individual freedoms be taken away unless it causes harm ("harm" being subjective).

PickaxeFairy

LOTR is right when he says "why convert down to a lower quality?", especially now that your original reason no longer exist, i.e. saving on HD disk space.

However, LOTR's solution sounds good and that is to keep two copies of your downloaded files, one for you to convert and consume and the other to share back onto the network.

Well guys, I now feel like a Liberal Democrat, neither here nor there and all things to all men ( a little UK political humour ).



UK Bob

Thanks for that Bob - I had a little chuckle to myself when I read that....
All advice/suggestions taken on board btw.
　
Well my new install is scheduled for a couple of weeks....
The poor guy who's lumbered with it is gonna wish he'd never got out of bed if he gives me any hassle.
　
I've got myself an Acer 'recovery' disc - seems I had it all along and didn't realise....
Just a bit of advice needed here please.... is there anything I need to know regarding a complete install?
I appreciate I'll have to re-download any applications I previously had etc etc....
I'm assuming all my drivers and necessary 'stuff' will be on the recovery disc....?


I'm sorry if my questions seem obvious to some - I'm just not that great when it comes to certain aspects of pcs and their workings