Would it be too difficult to add a checkbox in the options that enable/disables browse host functionality? My intuition says no, since the feature is already there, and turning it off has to be easier than adding it.

Many people who share dislike having others download everything they share at once, and this option would encourage them to use FrostWire. A heated debate about adding this feature to LimeWire is occurring here.

Well, a lukewarm debate at the very least...

We wont add the functionality because of the many ways to circumvent it. We believe in the same open standards as limewire, and we are not going to walk very far from those set of beliefs. If you read those threads, and ones like it thoroughly enough, you will find the numerous reasons why we will not implement that option.

circumvent what, exactly?
Edit: Do you mean that people can effectively still obtain a "browse host" by sending a search to the IP address multiple times?

yeah, are you saying that since it could easily be hacked, there is no point in adding that option? (just asking--i have no view either way)

I am an active participant in that thread, I have read it from beginning to end, and have yet to hear a compelling reason for mandatory browsing.

Please do tell me why disabling browse is bad for the Gnutella network, since LimeWire didn't have it until 2.4.5, any other gnutella client that has it allows users to disable it, and every other filesharing program (emule, soulseek, hell, even kazaa) allows users to disable it?

As far as I can tell, the only benefit from forcing users to allow browse is so LimeWire can scream, "LOOK! BROWSE WORKS ON EVERYONE, WHETHER THEY LIKE IT OR NOT!" on their website.

If Frostwire won't add features the official LimeWire devs don't approve of... then what exactly is the point of FrostWire?

A "me, too" client for those who don't like the official splash screen?