You have to be a little patient with gnutella. The network is growing and developing constantly.
I get and share many files quite well on a 56 k modem.

The file you copied may of been served from a computer with slow bandwith. However I have never had a download that is that slow. It may be your location just had a busy internet. Check

http://www.internettrafficreport.com
http://www.clip2.com

to see the status of the networks

Also for faster downloads turn off sharing and stop connecting to hosts. I also turn off the graphics in my web browser because Im on a 56 k modem.