I have a mac os9.04 56k modem comcast cable connection am downlowding mp3 which bit rate should I use or does it matter. Also, any suggestions on helpful books or articles for the novice to study Thanxs all.

bitrate is the quality of the mp3 file. I wouldn't reccomend anything under 128. Anything above that is usually good, although there are many sticklers (especially on places like carracho and hotline) who won't take anything below 256.

It's very hard for the untrained ear to tell the difference. I can, but I work with sound a great deal, so I can vouch that quality makes a difference.

same setup. mac, comcast, and KB rates....
Surfing is fast, but my mac 9.04 and comcast are giving me slow downloads..
I think its the programming, but you struck a similarity thats very close.

as i recall, comcast blocks p2p programs. any word on this, anyone else?

I changed the port numbers and it picked up from 5kb per second to about 36kb per second on a couple dl. Average speeds still suck though.

It also depends on who you are dling from. If the person who is uling cannot ul as fast as you can, it is their speed that determines the actual speed.