I'm getting sick of searching for files only to find them all protected behind firewalls.
I respect the desire to protect you computer from intruders, but you're downloading files from anonymous people. The firewalls are totally useless because you can get a virus from the files you're downloading. No matter how great your anti-virus software is it can always miss one.
I think the use of firewalls on the Gnutella should be prohibited or at least strongly discouraged. It defeats the purpose of the network. These people are taking files, but not sharing with others.
I don't use a firewall on the Gnutella because I want to give, not just take. I'm already at risk downloading files from people I don't know so there is no point to a firewall.

Please remove you're firewalls. You have some really great stuff I'd like to check out.

unfortunately its not quite that simple...alot of people re using NAT routers these days for DSL connections to all thier pcs in their homes and offices.
Unless you are MSCE you most like(I said most Likely), do not know how to force an IP. Also no matter what you say people will not risk thier systems. this is a unfortunate result of the few out there who find it necissary to play GOD and attack computer systems for thier pleasure. They make no real dent in Corporate America or the world but they believe they can control all, see all, and know all. Thier selfish idiots not unlike most terroist in this world.
So in the present state of affairs you see there is no real solution.
Some of us are trying to be as fair as possible.
In my case I will place a down load /upload pc in front of my fire wall for sharing...but the fact remains again that few of us have the need , desire , or capitol for this approach either.
I feel your pain.

Perhaps there should simply exist an option to block users who are behind firewalls from uploading, just as one would block freeloaders. Is there really any difference ?

yes there is a difference. I may be mistaken about this, but I believe Limewire is capable of a push. This means that people behind firewalls can send stuff to people, except other people behind firewalls. If you cant get something from behind a firewall, chances are you're behind one yourself, so don't get all worked up.

That said, since I am not entirely sure, I'm asking those in the know: does LimeWire do push?

The real problem is not people behind firewalls, but people who force an INTERNAL IP address (like 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x, you know, the ones that show up in red). I'm behind a firewall and have people download files from me all the time. Traffic passing through a firewall usually gets sent out using the firewall's address, and hence is accessible to others.

Yes of course you can also hurt your leg if you jump from a bridge!

Why are firewalls useless? Do you think they protect you from viruses? Do you ever heard something about scans, hacker attacks or SPYWARE???

And I don´t know what you guys here have a problem with firewalled users! My whole bandwidth is used (upload)! And I see you guys here don´t have a firewall so there is no problem - there is only a problem if both hosts are behind a firewall!!!

What happens is that the firewalled user IS BUSY!!! How do you want to download from a non firewalled user if he has no bandwidth left?

People try to get some infos first, before you suggest to block firewalled users or other crap!

Morgwen