The world's most n00bish questions
 

I don't understand all this Limewire jargon. I took a look at the glossary, and I didn't understand it at all. :( So can someone please explain to me in simple, clear, and specific terms...

What an ultrapeer is?
What a leaf is?
What it means when it says in the connections section "Connection status: ultrapeer"?

I told you my questions were n00bish. But I want to know and understand and stuff. Yes, I did see the glossary, faqs, etc. but they helped me none.

Edit: I see this question has been asked a lot. I've looked at other threads about it and well, they don't help me either. I'm still so lost it's not even funny. :(

To put simply:

1. An ultrapeer is a host who has lots of bandwidth to spare. The gnutella network uses these to help others (leafs) to connect to the network. The UP's also help shield off search messages that the leafs don't need. Thus reduce unnecessary bandwidth useage. UP's are decided by the network's needs. Nobody can themselves control this. You might be a UP one day & the next day or several hours later not a UP.

2. A leaf is just a simple user who connects to the gnutella network. They need UP's to help them connect to the network & relay searches.

3. The connection window shows ultrapeers you're connected to. If you're acting as a UP yourself, then it will show people who are connecting thru you. UP's are needed by the network & do a very important job. Being a UP is just as if not more important role than uploading.

I hope that helps. ;) :)

I get it! Thank you. :)