I've always been able to find what I need without tapping into the libraries modem users. In fact, I filter modem users out of my search results entirely. Hence, I don't mind if they grab their files and disconnect.

With quite a few users on campus networks or even corporate networks for that matter, T1 or T3 connections aren't uncommon. I have a feeling my downloads would stop more often than not under this scheme.

As for modem users being a benefit to me, like I said above, I prefer not to rely on modem users particularly because of the speed issue.... so added modem users probably wouldn't benefit me much at all (especially not for the rather large files I tend to download). Yes, their files eventually get distributed amongst others on the network, but like I said before, I haven't had any problems finding the files I've been looking for already... more of the same thing probably wouldn't help much at all.

Which is entirely acceptable to me. The network has relied on peoples' trust and generosity and managed to become quite successful without the need for coercion. I don't want to be part of any network where there are strings attached in order to be treated equally by any host I'm downloading from regardless of my sharing situation. I'm sure there will be others who agree.

Besides, there is one flaw that would have to be addressed in order for this system to work. And that is that a servent's HEN value is generated by the servent itself. This leaves the door open to someone who might want to guarantee their place in everyone's upload queue by modifying an open sourced servent to spoof their HEN values. If enough servents were to do this, the entire system could be rendered invalid and we'd be better off right back where we started. Of the few ways I've thought of to try to guarantee the HEN value is correct (and I will admit that I haven't thought of every possible option), every method could be spoofed in some manner.