got this thing working for the most part, but
don't see any uploads. I connect okay, search and
download okay, but don't see no uploads. got
gigs of shared files, firewall I think is configured okay ports are open. got zone alarm
pro. any suggestions?

well, I had no luck with newtella. using
limewire, no problems with it.
www.limewire.com.

Do you have the "accept incoming connections?" box checked under the connections tab?

Yes