My first thread! I've been reading through these forums and can understand the frustrations of some users trying to setup Limewire to successfully work in OSX. Everyone's got different OSX versions running different apps, varying internet bandwidth, routers, modems, and so the list goes on.

I've been using Limewire with minimal issues for a LONG time so if it helps this is my setup. For those OSX users who have a successful Limewire setup at work or at college / university I'd shake your hand. It can be a real nightmare getting a connection from behind multiple proxy servers and firewalls. For those who can't connect away from home - good luck!

NB. The following setup is for a HOME USER: Jaguar 10.2.8 on a G4 1.25 Dual, 1Gb RAM, Built-in OSX firewall, Norton OSX Antivirus active, Ethernet Router, 2Mb internet bandwidth unlimited d/load, Limewire 4.0.8. I share only Limewire files and absolutely nothing else at all with anyone.

In Limewire Preferences: 1) I keep all my shared directories separate to my itunes directories (for security) and specifying only those extensions I want to share from my shared directories (ie. mp3, aif, etc.). 2) Ultrapeer and OOB is disabled - I have the bandwidth but found early on this was a bit unstable 3) Maximum downloads at any one time depends on bandwidth. At 2Mb I have 15 d/loads (music) with unlimited upload (the more you share the more you get back). When I used to have 1Mb I found 6 - 8 downloads was good. Any more, it would hang (bandwidth would drop to zero and I'd have to restart Limewire deleting some 'files in progress'). 4) Upload slots and max slots again depends on your bandwidth. 5) Maximum searches is set at 10. 6) I search on all qualities and speeds (better results) 7) All adult (sometimes!) content, html and vbs files are disabled.

In 'Advanced': 1) The number of files shared to not be a freeloader depends on how much of a miser you are. Hell, set it to 1, let everybody share! 2) Listen on port 6346 (Limewire / Gnutella default) 3) Enable 'force IP' on port 6346 (NB. I'LL GET TO THE OSX FIREWALL STUFF LATER). 4) Select 'no proxy'. 5) Preferencing is your choice. I use 3.

Ok, so that's Limewire but what about the OSX firewall setup, which is the bit that seems to stump some OSX users. In 'System Preferences': 1) Select 'Network' and click the 'Proxies' tab. Disable 'FTP Proxy' and enable 'Use Passive FTP Mode (PASV)'. 2) Go back to System Preferences and select 'Sharing'. In the 'Services' tab disable everything! and ensure that personal file sharing is off 3) In the 'Firewall' tab make sure your firewall is on and that ONLY the 'Gnutella / Limewire (6346)' option is enabled. 4) In the 'Internet' tab I have 'Internet Sharing Off' with no other shared connections. This is not required for P2P.

Remember, the above setup is for sharing Limewire files from HOME on port 6346 only and absolutely nothing else in OSX. Your setup might be different depending on your personal circumstances. I've not come across any other apps (so far) that conflict with Limewire.

Problems I have come across are when I've been greedy and tried to download too many files at once by increasing the figures in Limewire Preferences described above. Also, if BT decide it's a good idea to start experimenting with the network at 2 in the morning and my connections go haywire.

As with all apps it's a bit of trial and error. Once you've got a stable connection you need to find out how much your bandwidth can handle before it crashes by increasing / decreasing your download / upload capacity. Don't get greedy and share responsibly.

Oh yeah, and finally, absolutely no thanks to those individuals who think it's really funny to name a file that's got absolutely nothing to do with the content.

Cheers.