I'm almost done ranting for the day, since it's really not a fun Xmas time activity, but here's the conclusion:

I booted back into OS 9, and discovered that I had a free version of LW 2.4.3 installed. When I launched it, I got a warning splash screen telling me that I MUST upgrade to version 2.8.x or I would not be able to connect to the network. The dialog box offered to take to to download a new version.
Being a law abiding citizen who believes in 'truth in advertising', my first reaction was to say okay. Then, I remembered, these people are well meaning, but they don't always tell the truth, intentionally or not.
So I defiantly said NO!!!

I allowed 2.4.3 the dinosaur to continue launching, checked the connections tab and found that I had several connections. I then did a search, and obtained results, and proceeded to download a file. Then, I went to monitor, and within 5 minutes, 2 uploads began, and are currently uploading at a respectable clip.

So, even though their intentions may be good, sometimes they say and program things that don't work as advertised. I mean, why would you try and force somebody to download something that doesn't work properly, and overwrite an older version that does what it's supposed to do?

I expect some expert to come along and tell me now how it's impossible that I'm doing what I see before my decent eyeballs. I hope these folks use their well deserved time off to rest their brains and return recharged and ready to fix this cruddy new version.