Academics


File-Sharing Etiquette

Peer-to-peer file-sharing utilities such as BearShare, Morpheus, and KaZaA may seem like harmless fun, but they can quickly and easily create a tremendous strain on a high-speed network, resulting in slower internet speeds and interfering with other users' ability to connect to file servers, email, and the Internet for academic priorities. Installing a file-sharing utility on your computer not only enables you to download files from other computers across the Internet, but also sets up your computer as a server from which other people all over the world can download files from your computer.Many file-sharing utilities also receive a continuous stream of advertisements whenever they are open, degrading your computer's performance and taking up additional network bandwidth. If you must use a peer-to-peer file-sharing utility, please minimize your network traffic:

  • Disable the server function of your file-sharing utility
  • Configure bandwidth settings as low as possible
  • Download only one file at a time
  • Limit downloads to periods of low network usage (early mornings, evenings, and weekends)
  • Exit your file-sharing utility whenever you are not actively using it
  • Make sure your file-sharing utility does not automatically launch when you start up your computer

Please be aware that if your use of a file-sharing utility impedes network performance or interferes with other users' access to the network, you will receive a warning and your network connection may be blocked until the problem is corrected.

By listing these instructions, Thomas College does not condone or promote the use of these applications in any way.

Ares

You cannot easily disable the sharing component of this software.

Audiogalaxy

To minimize the amount of bandwidth Audiogalaxy Satellite uses to transfer files:

  1. Launch Audiogalaxy Satellite
  2. From Audiogalaxy Satellite's Options menu, choose Bandwidth Throttle
  3. Slide the indicator as far to the left as possible. Click OK
  4. When you are asked if you are sure you want to change your bandwidth settings, click OK
  5. Click the Go! button to open the Audiogalaxy member home page
  6. In the limit simultaneous transfers to field on the Audiogalaxy member home page, select 1. Click change

To prevent Audiogalaxy Satellite from automatically launching when you start up your computer:

  1. From the Start menu, choose Settings, then Taskbar & Start Menu
  2. Click the Start Menu Programs tab
  3. Click the Remove button
  4. Click the "+" next to StartUp (you may need to scroll down to find the StartUp folder)
  5. Select AGSatellite. Click Remove
  6. Click Close
  7. In the Taskbar Properties window, click OK

To exit Audiogalaxy Satellite:

  1. From Audiogalaxy Satellite's File menu, choose Exit File Agent
  2. When you are asked if you are sure you want to close your agent, click Yes

BearShare

To disable BearShare's server function, restrict the amount of bandwidth BearShare uses, limit simultaneous downloads, and prevent BearShare from launching automatically at startup:

  1. Launch BearShare
  2. Click the Uploads button
  3. Click Sharing Is On. The text should become "Sharing Is Off"
  4. From the Setup menu, choose Sharing
  5. In the Share the files in these directories and their subdirectories field, highlight a directory, then click Remove. Repeat until the field is empty
  6. Click the Uploads tab
  7. In the field labeled No more than . . . connections per person, type 0. In the field labeled Allow up to . . . total simultaneous uploads, type 0. Uncheck Enable Upload Queuing
  8. Click the Downloads tab
  9. In the field labeled Get up to . . . files at a time, type 1
  10. Click the Connection tab
  11. Under Network Interface, select Modem
  12. Click the Options tab
  13. Uncheck Launch BearShare on System Startup. From the When I click close menu, choose Close Immediately
  14. Click OK

Please exit BearShare whenever you are not actively using it. To exit, from the File menu choose Exit.

BearShare automatically installs WeatherCast, which constantly displays weather information in your system tray. Since WeatherCast creates unnecessary network traffic even when BearShare is not running, you should uninstall WeatherCast if you do not use it. To uninstall WeatherCast:

  1. Double-click on the My Computer icon on your desktop. Note: If you are running Windows XP and the My Computer icon does not appear on your desktop, from the Start menu choose My Computer
  2. Double-click on Control Panel
  3. Double-click on Add/Remove Programs
  4. Select WeatherCast. Click Add/Remove
  5. Follow the instructions on your screen to remove WeatherCast

Installing BearShare also installs SaveNow, which monitors your on-line purchases and may redirect sales commissions from other referring sites to BearShare; previous versions of BearShare include other advertising and monitoring software. Uninstalling BearShare does not completely remove SaveNow or other advertising and/or monitoring software.

BitTorrent, BitLord, BitComet, etc

You cannot easily disable the sharing component of this software.

eDonkey2000

To disable eDonkey2000's server function and restrict the amount of bandwidth the application uses:

  1. Launch eDonkey
  2. Click the Options button
  3. In the Max Connections field, type 3
  4. Uncheck Always stay connected
  5. Click OK
  6. Click Shared
  7. Click the "+" next to each shaded box. Click on each red check mark to remove it (you may need to click twice on each check mark). When no more shaded boxes or red check marks (indicating shared folders) remain, click Ok

Please exit eDonkey2000 whenever you are not actively using it. Clicking the "x" in the upper right corner of the eDonkey2000 window will not completely close eDonkey2000. To exit:

  1. Right-click on the eDonkey2000 icon in the lower right corner of your screen
  2. From the menu which appears, choose Exit

eDonkey2000 automatically installs TopText iLookup and UCmore, which monitor your Internet usage and display advertisements. Uninstalling eDonkey2000 will not automatically uninstall these applications. To uninstall TopText iLookup and UCmore:

  1. Double-click on the My Computer icon on your desktop. Note: If you are running Windows XP and the My Computer icon does not appear on your desktop, from the Start menu choose My Computer
  2. Double-click on Control Panel
  3. Double-click on Add/Remove Programs
  4. Select TopText iLookup. Click Add/Remove
  5. Follow the instructions on your screen to remove TopText iLookup
  6. In the Add/Remove Programs Properties window, select UCmore. Click Add/Remove
  7. Follow the instructions on your screen to remove UCmore. When you are asked to reboot your computer, click OK. Note: If your computer does not automatically restart after you click OK, restart your computer
  8. When your computer has restarted, double-click on the My Computer icon on your desktop. Note: If you are running Windows XP and the My Computer icon does not appear on your desktop, from the Start menu choose My Computer
  9. Double-click on the icon for your hard drive
  10. Open the Program Files folder
  11. Right-click on the UCmore folder. From the menu which appears, choose Delete
  12. When you are asked if you are sure you want to remove the folder, click Yes

Uninstallation does not remove certain components of UCmore and TopText iLookup, and eDonkey2000 may also install other advertising and/or monitoring software.

Gnucleus

To disable Gnucleus's server function and limit simultaneous downloads:

  1. Launch Gnucleus
  2. From the Edit menu, choose Preferences
  3. In the left pane of the window, select Local
  4. Under Display Window, uncheck Send Gnucleus to tray when closed
  5. In the left pane of the window, select Network. Note: If Network is not listed, click the "+" next to Local, then select Network
  6. Uncheck Able to become Ultrapeer
  7. In the left pane of the window, select Share
  8. In the Shared Directories field, highlight the first directory listed. Click Remove. Repeat until all shared directories have been removed
  9. Uncheck Sub-Directories
  10. In the left pane of the window, select Transfer
  11. In the Maximum simultaneous downloads field, type 1. In the Maximum simultaneous uploads field, type 0
  12. Click OK

To prevent Gnucleus from launching automatically at startup:

  1. From the Start menu, choose Programs, then Startup. Note: If you are running Windows XP, from the Start menu choose All Programs, then Startup
  2. Right-click on Gnucleus
  3. From the menu which appears, choose Delete
  4. When you are asked if you are sure you want to delete the shortcut to Gnucleus, click Yes

Please exit Gnucleus when you are not actively using it. To exit Gnucleus, from the File menu choose Exit.

iMesh

You cannot easily disable the sharing component of this software.

KaZaA

To disable Kazaa's server function, limit simultaneous downloads, close Kazaa when not using it, and remove Kazaa adware and spyware:

  1. Launch Kazaa
  2. From the Tools menu, choose Options
  3. Click the My Kazaa tab
  4. Uncheck Launch Kazaa Media Desktop automatically
  5. Click the Traffic tab
  6. In the field labeled You can define the number of simultaneous downloads here, type 1. In the field labeled You can define the number of simultaneous uploads here, type 0
  7. Check Disable sharing of files with other Kazaa Media Desktop users
  8. Click the Advanced tab
  9. In the field labeled Maximum bandwidth in kilobits to be used . . ., type 24
  10. Check Do not function as Supernode
  11. Click OK

Please disconnect from the Kazaa network whenever you are not actively downloading files. To disconnect, choose File > Disconnect. You can still use the Kazaa Theater to play files you have downloaded while you are disconnected.

When you are not actively using Kazaa, please exit the Kazaa Media Desktop. Choosing File > Exit or clicking the "x" in the upper right corner of the screen will not fully exit the Kazaa Media Desktop. To exit:

  1. Right-click on the Kazaa icon in the lower right corner of your screen
  2. From the menu which appears, choose Close Kazaa Media Desktop

Kazaa automatically installs applications which monitor your Internet usage and display advertisements. These may include DelFin Media Viewer, MediaLoads, b3d Projector, New.net, FirstLook Portal, and other applications. Kazaa also installs SaveNow, which monitors your on-line purchases and redirects sales commissions belonging to other referring sites to Kazaa. Uninstalling Kazaa does not automatically remove these applications. To uninstall some of these programs:

  1. Double-click on the My Computer icon on your desktop. Note: If you are running Windows XP and the My Computer icon does not appear on your desktop, from the Start menu choose My Computer
  2. Double-click on Control Panel
  3. Double-click on Add/Remove Programs
  4. Remove each of the following items by selecting its name, then clicking Add/Remove and following the instructions on your screen
    1. b3d Projector
    2. DelFin Media Viewer
    3. FirstLook Portal Note: When you are asked whether you are sure you want to stop receiving news and other information, click Yes
    4. MediaLoads
    5. MediaLoads Installer
    6. SaveNow
    7. New.net Domains 4.50
  5. Close all open windows
  6. Double-click on the My Computer icon on your desktop. Note: If you are running Windows XP and the My Computer icon does not appear on your desktop, from the Start menu choose My Computer
  7. Double-click on the icon for your hard drive
  8. Open the Program Files folder
  9. Delete the following folders
    1. SaveNow
    2. DelFin
    3. FirstLook
    4. NewDotNet

LimeWire

To disable LimeWire's server function, restrict simultaneous downloads, and prevent LimeWire from launching automatically when you start up your computer:

  1. Launch LimeWire
  2. From the Tools menu, choose Options
  3. In the left pane of the window, click Sharing
  4. In the Shared Directories field, remove each shared directory by selecting it and clicking Remove
  5. In the Extensions field, delete all the text
  6. In the left pane of the window, click Speed
  7. Check Disable Ultrapeer Capabilities
  8. In the left pane of the window, click Downloads
  9. In the Maximum Downloads field, type 1
  10. In the left pane of the window, click Slots. Note: If Slots is not listed, click the triangle next to Uploads, then click Slots
  11. In the Uploads Per Person field, type 0. In the Start Upload Slots field, type 0. In the Max Upload Slots field, type 0
  12. In the left pane of the window, click Shutdown
  13. Select Shutdown Immediately
  14. Click OK

When you are not actively using LimeWire, please exit LimeWire. To exit, from the File menu choose Close.

LimeWire automatically installs LimeShop, which monitors your on-line purchases and redirects sales commissions belonging to other referring sites to LimeWire. Uninstalling LimeWire does not automatically remove LimeShop. To uninstall LimeShop:

  1. Double-click on the My Computer icon on your desktop. Note: If you are running Windows XP and the My Computer icon does not appear on your desktop, from the Start menu choose My Computer
  2. Double-click on Control Panel
  3. Double-click on Add/Remove Programs
  4. Select LimeShop. Click Add/Remove
  5. Click OK
  6. Double-click on the My Computer icon on your desktop. Note: If you are running Windows XP and the My Computer icon does not appear on your desktop, from the Start menu choose My Computer
  7. Double-click on the icon for your hard drive
  8. Open the Program Files folder
  9. Right-click on the LimeShop folder. From the menu which appears, choose Delete
  10. When you are asked if you are sure you want to remove the folder, click Yes

LimeWire may also install BonziBuddy and other advertising and monitoring programs.

Morpheus

You cannot easily disable the sharing component of this software.

Phex

To disable Phex's server function, restrict Phex's bandwidth usage, and limit simultaneous downloads:

  1. Launch Phex
  2. From the Setting menu, choose Phex Options
  3. In the left pane of the window, click Bandwidth
  4. Slide each bandwidth indicator to 25%
  5. In the left pane of the window, click Download
  6. In the Total parallel downloads field, type 1. In the Max parallel downloads per file field, type 1
  7. In the left pane of the window, click Sharing
  8. In the Max Simultaneous Uploads field, type 0. In the Max Uploads per host field, type 0
  9. In the left pane of the window, click Directories
  10. In the Shared Directories field, remove each shared directory by selecting it, then clicking Remove
  11. Click OK

Scour Exchange

You cannot easily disable the sharing component of this software.

Shareaza

You cannot easily disable the sharing component of this software.

XoloX

To disable XoloX's server function and minimize bandwidth usage:

  1. Launch XoloX
  2. From Xolox's Tools menu, choose Preferences
  3. Click the Network tab. In the Upload speed field, select 1. Uncheck Use maximum download and upload settings . . .
  4. Click the Sharing tab. Remove all directories from the Share the files in these directories field
  5. Click Apply
  6. Click Close

To exilt XoloX:

  1. From XoloX's File menu, choose Close
  2. Right-click on the XoloX icon in the system tray near the lower right corner of your screen. Choose Exit

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