Guidelines for the responsible use of Internet filesharing

• Turn off the server portion of the program - tell it not to make files on your hard disk available to other users, or restrict it to only share files from a single (empty) folder.
• After using filesharing programs, make sure you shut them down correctly by choosing File, Exit or File, Quit. If you can see an icon for it in the system tray at the bottom right it is still running and you need to close it. Click the right-hand mouse button on the icon and choose Quit, Exit or Close.
• Assume any file is subject to copyright unless you know otherwise and get the written permission of the copyright holder before receiving or distributing it.
• Limit your usage of filesharing as much as possible so that filesharing doesn't swamp other usages and other people can still access the network for academic purposes. Remember that the network is a shared resource and the primary purpose of providing network access is for educational use.
• Don't use a 'start this program when I start the computer' option if provided.
• Use filesharing programs at 'off-peak' times of day when fewer people are using ResNet (our peak period is 6pm-midnight).
• Turn off the computer when not using it.

For an explanation of why these guidelines are necessary see our statement on copyright and Internet filesharing.