It wasn't working before version 3.8.x, but I don't know about 3.5.x . But as etvoila said, you can't really tell if someone is freeloading, since someone who is being filtered out because of the freeloader filter might just have reinitialized their HD and have 0 files to share. How would LW know that they are freeloaders or not? It's not a mind reading application. If you don't give them a chance to get some files to share then the network will suffer.
And about BitTorrent: it's a waaaaaay different app than LW. It wasn't concieved for the same purpose.

If they have just reinitialized their HD, and have 0 files to share, what are they doing on Limewire, a P2P sharing network?

What are the coincidences that all of those freeloaders could all have magically wiped out all data on their HDs?

I gave them a chance. Today I set it to all they had to provide was 20 files for sharing. I got maybe 10 uploads all day (they download from me, I upload to them). That means the rest are hitting and running. Each file had a ton of hits on it, and a lot of "Transfer Interrupted" etc., but all of that

The only time I get a lot of uploads is when I allow freeloaders and they have to share 0 files. I would not call that a healthy network. I would call that a network that is suffering: people hitting and running. I'll keep mine set where they have to share in order to receive. I think, in the long-term, that promotes the healthiest network.

I am aware of that. I know BitTorrent's swarm effect.

Sad, though, that even though Limewire is conceived differently, you can end up with multiple users downloading partial file shares from each other, thus making the whole thing faster -- *if* people aren't stingy and selfish.

Of course, this only works if they have partial file sharing available, and are ... gasp ... actually sharing files!

So What is the Truth about freeloader settings?
 

Exactly what part of the freeloader filter doesn't work? Is this only the 'Allow freeloaders' setting? What about the 'Files you must share to Not be a Freeloader' setting? The latter seems to work for me. I noticed a considerable difference between when I upped the minimum from about 5 to 10 & then to 20, 25, 30 & then to 50 over the past 4 mths I've been using LW 4. Also a difference in the files that were being requested. It's up to everybody's opinion, but I'd agree with sonnet here. I previously used another p2p app where people would 'pull' their files as soon as people started dwnlding from them & I knew somebody who did that using kazaa. I think it's just those miserly attitudes that make me feel they should be genuine sharers. Although it'd be hard to combat the latter example. I have no comments about anything else in this thread!

There are millions of people using P2P apps. Some are new users. Some are old. Some may have decided to do an HD format after the HD became so full of bugs and viruses that it became impossible or extremely frustrating to use the computer. Result=0 files to share->filtered out.
I agree that people must share, not be hit-and-runners. It's P2P. P2P. It wouldn't be named thus if it didn't involve doing your share by allowing others to get files from you. And I'm not saying that all of those filtered out by your freeloader filter aren't freeloaders. I just am willing to look at the other side too. And I don't mean that I support freeloaders. Not in a million years (add a couple of eternities too).
Just think about it this way: when you got your comp, you heard about LW and went and installed it. So, you're all excited about all this and enter the keywords to look for a song. No results. You were filtered out. Too bad.
How is Limewire supposed to discern those in that case from genuine freeloaders?
This could also be the reason some people share trash: afraid of being filtered out by the freeloader filters, they rename their files to include this huge amount of popular keywords to make them appear in searches more often. Or maybe they just duplicate the files the have so that they look as if they are sharing more files than they actually are.
See? That's a rather interesting conversation if you ask me.
I think an adequate filter would store the number of uploads an IP adress does but that would use up a lot of HD space in the long run. Maybe the best way is BitTorrent's way: unless you hack the code, you are "forced" to share.

Even though I've been signed up with LW 4.8.1 for awhile, I'm just now learning about it. How do I know if I'm sharing my files? Can I share my files if I'm not logged in to LW? How do I know if my hard drive is being shared? I'm running G3, 600Mhz, 512 RAM OS X 10.2. with Limewire's 4.8.1. One last thing, I knew it was slow but after I read other KBPs speed I knew my 1-3 KBPs was bad. Why am I so SLOW! I can also only get dial up and it's real hard to stay connected to the internet for any length of time.

Thanks for any help anyone can give me,

Feeling Stupid :p

Hi Nahaz.
System details - help us to help you Please.

Cut n paste these Questions,put your answers in bold text Thank You.

Recently there's been a problem with people not providing enough details about their setup - despite being asked again & again.
So let's make it easy for everyone...the details that we need if we're going to be able to help with complex problems are:

1. what OS version? (eg: Windows 98, XP,OSX, Vista)
2. What firewalls you have ?
3. How much ram ?
4. Hard Disk space available ?
5. Connection type (eg: dialup, broadband, cable, etc.) ?
6. Modem & router brand name & model numbers ?
7. Where are you trying to connect from (house, appartment complex, school, student accomodation, work, etc.) ?
8. What version,LimeWire & Java,Go to L/W's Help/About L/W, THIS show both LW & Java version.?
9. Who is your ISP provider (Internet Service Provider) ?
10. Do this test click here: http://www3.limewire.com:6346/ should say 'Your test worked!. What happens ?
11. Are you sharing the connection with other computers or p2p sharing programs? If yes, please give details of set up.
12. Is this your 1st try at LW, or is this a new problem with an experienced user.?
13. Do you see a brick wall in front of the blue world icon at the bottom of LW's interface ?
14. Have you given full permisions for LimeWire to pass through your Firewall ?
15. XP users, Please state XP firewall on or off.?

These are all contained within the sticky Connection problems? Check here first!
but possibly some people are getting a bit confused or lost when we direct them to this sticky & ask them to provide their details.

This information can be vital
For instance, some ISPs are known for blocking p2p/throttling bandwidth,
some connection devices are known for being unreliable in certain situations.

So please, help us to help you & provide as much info as you can.
If you're new to LW or new to computers & aren't sure how to answer some questions,
or don't know what an ISP or router is - just say so. Nobody's going to yell at you:wink:
Even if you can't answer all the questions in one go...don't worry. Do the best you can & we'll take it from there.
__________________
Peace.

> 1. what OS version? (eg: Windows 98, XP,OSX, Vista) Mac OS X. 10.2.
> 2. What firewalls you have ? I don't know how to find out.
> 3. How much ram ? 512.
> 4. Hard Disk space available ? 9 Gigs.
> 5. Connection type (eg: dialup, broadband, cable, etc.) ? I can only get dial up.
> 6. Modem & router brand name & model numbers ? All I know is it's internal.
> 7. Where are you trying to connect from (house, appartment complex, school, student accomodation, work, etc.) ? Single Wide Trailer.
> 8. What version,LimeWire & Java,Go to L/W's Help/About L/W, THIS show both LW & Java version.? 4.8.1. / 1.4.1_01.
> 9. Who is your ISP provider (Internet Service Provider) AT&T.
> 10. Do this test click here: http://www3.limewire.com:6346/ should say 'Your test worked!. What happens ? It worked.
> 11. Are you sharing the connection with other computers or p2p sharing programs? If yes, please give details of set up. No.
> 12. Is this your 1st try at LW, or is this a new problem with an experienced user.? I've had it awhile but am just know learning it.
> 13. Do you see a brick wall in front of the blue world icon at the bottom of LW's interface ? Where's the interface? Not anywhere I can see.
> 14. Have you given full permisions for LimeWire to pass through your Firewall ? I don't know.
> 15. XP users, Please state XP firewall on or off.?