Netscape Grouper - new wave in file sharing

[Keith Heitmann]

Grouper is a filesharing service (in beta at the present time and free to use during the beta). However, unlike other services like Kazaa, Bearshare, etc. you have to be invited to join a group setup by another member to view and download their files. You can setup your own group and invite people to join. You can then view and download your group member's files.

The app is a simple 1.7.MB download. It installs quickly, an dyou have to activate it with a verification code that you receive by email. Once running you then setup the folders or individual files you want to share with the group. You can un-share any item at any point and make them private. Group members can only see the files you have offered for sharing. So if you un-share a item in a folder with items being shared the group cannot see the un-shared item.

You then send invitations to the email addresses of your friend. They will receive a message with a actviation code and link to Grouper. Once they install and join grouper they plug in the activation code in your email and they are then part of your group.

Then whenever anyone is online they can visit your files as long as your computer is left on and connected to the internet. You can "sign-off" but leave your computer open for business.

The program has a chat window and a IM service so you can communicate with a specific person or the entire group that is online at the time.

You need to be able to run ActiveX applications and have MS Media player installed. These are required. The music files will either stream online to the builtin player or if you click on it it will open MS Media Player serperately.

The service is aimed at broadband users. However, dialups like myself can still use it. We're just slow. Those listening to streamed music from a dialup group member should set their MS Media Player to manually buffer for 60 seconds instead of using the "automatic" 5 second buffer setting in the peformance options.

You can even transfer music if the host changes the 3 letter extension code from MP3 or WAV, etc. to something like BMP or ZIP. The downloading party then just changes the extension back to MP3 later.

Images are displayed in a thumbnail image or as a simple text list by clicking on a simple menu button.

There is a IM function for chatting with a specific member of the group or a group chat window for chatting with the entire online group.

The program is stable and works as advertised and has more features than I described here. So download it and check it out while it's all free!

www.grouper.com

[Phil Walker]

It does sound interesting indeed! One must ask some questions though such as myself.

1) In regard to music files, you say the user must have MS Media Player to listen to them. I have never seen this particular program UNLESS it is by chance the same as Windows Media Player. So, are these two different programs or one in the same? If different, does the MS Media come with download or where does one get it?

2) Let's do a theoretical. Say for instance Keith invites me to join his "group". Can I ask others to join? AND if so, would they join my own separate group or be a part of Keith's? Maybe BOTH?

3) I also understand this is designed for broadband but also works with dialup. So, be as us dialups (yes I'm on dialup as well) are slow, how does it affect a broadbander as far as downloading? I know it takes me quite awhile at times to do downloads, so I am curious as to how the broadbanders would feel dealing with a dialup connection as a source for files. Let alone having their computers "tied up" when a dialup is downloading from them.

Aside from the questions it does sound great and I look forward to trying it out! How about the rest of you?


Sincerely,
Phil

[Keith Heitmann]

Windows Media Player comes with Windows XP. You will need at least version 8, but they recommend version 9.

You can create your own group and invite others to join. I don't think you can invite people to join a group you do not own.

If a broadbander wants a file from dialup member his download will be as slow as if he were on a dialup service himself.

There's a usual elitist attitude among some broadband filesharers on other services that block or deliberately disconnect dialup users. Anyone doing that in the groups that I run will be kicked out of the group.

In the past I've had broadbanders on other file sharing services like Bearshare, queue up a large list of files, which would litterally take all day to transfer just to him alone, leaving everyone else waiting in line. You can set your host program to allow a specific number of simultaneous downloads. Dialups should set the max number to 1, and then keep one person from hogging the files and keeping others waiting. Broadband users could use a much higher number supporting as many as ten simultaneous downloads or more at one time.

[Phil Walker]

I guess Windows and MS Media are the same then. I personally have version 10 of Windows so if that's all I need NO worries!!!

I also now have it installed and my own account but I was not prompted to enter my "code". How or when does this take place? I do have the mail and code accessible, but not sure how to join or implement the code, so a little help please... ;D

All else looks great and do look forward to using it. You can hide the window too so it won't get "in the way", which I like.


Sincerely,
Phil

[Keith Heitmann]

When you create your own group on Grouper they send you a confirmation email. This has a link in it that you must use to activate your own personal group. Once that is done all you need do is logon to the net and start Grouper.

If you didn't get your confirmation email it may have gotten lost in that invitation roundabout we went through with your tech people.

Feel free to download anything you like from my offerings and don't feel guilty about it if you don't have anything to contribute.

According to GROUPER there should be someway to pause downloads (for those of us on dialups downloading huge files) and resume it again when we come back online in the group later.

[Phil Walker]

As far as the mail goes, that could very well be. I'll have to check on it as I didn't get a conformation letter. I have no group of my own (save just me) configured so that may also have something to do with it. If not, I'm not worried. No immediate rush to get my own group going right now. So, all seeems well and seems to work. GOOD ENOUGH!!!

Sincerely,
Phil

[Keith Heitmann]

You know I have to ask, but when you connect to my group I never see you do anything.

I don't see you browse the files or listen to the movie soundtracks or respond to my IMs from the grouper app.

Do you see my folders and their files??

[Phil Walker]

I see the folders but an still learning the system. Takes a bit of time with my eyes as you know.

I do have a question that as I have answered your IMs, but by the time I see them you are gone. Is there a way to set sounds to let one know when you are hit up for an IM? PLUS, is there a way to SAVE my configurations? I keep have to adjust my fonts so wonder if there's a way to save them.

Sincerely,
Phil

[Keith Heitmann]

There is no audio alert for IMs, which surprised me too. I'll suggest it. No way to save the setup either, another sugestion to be made. I did make a suggestion on your behalf a couple days ago about making the font size adjustable on the file list. They said that they had problems with the app doing that but will keep it in mind.

The program doesn't seem to register when someone is listenting to music. I mentioned that in a suggestion earlier today.

[Phil Walker]

Thanks! At least you know the situation.

How does one listen though? I click on a music file, but can't find a way to add it to my playlist or for that matter anyway to hear it. Just not familiar enough yet I guess, but it does get old when I keep trying things not to have any responses.

Sincerely,
Phil

[Keith Heitmann]

You just double click on a music file that you want to listen to and then wait.

It has to buffer a while and it depends on how you have your MS Media player setup to buffer. Automatic - buffers for 5 seconds then starts to play, but since you and I are dialups this is not recommended by me, the music will pause a lot to buffer when playing. I recommend setting the buffer manually to buffer 60 seconds.

To do this right click on the player in the lower left corner of Grouper, or open the Media Player in Windows and right click on control panel. Select OPTIONS then under the Performance tab change the buffer settings by checking the radio button next to manual and set the time to 60.

The music you click on won't start right away if all is well. You should see the word Connecting... and then Buffering... on the player display while it prepares to play the music. You just have to be patient.

[Phil Walker]

Now I see... Well, I did manage to just get my buffer setting adjusted and with Windows Media Player version 10 it isn't as you suggested. Rather than right clicking on the player you have to click on tools, then scroll down and click on options. The buffer settings are under the performance tab. I know it used to be as you said, but now if you have version at least installed, this is how it's done now. Right clicking only gives the visualizations menu.

Sincerely,
Phil

[Phil Walker]

Just reread the reply above and noticed I neglected something. In one of my last statements I forgot to say it was version "10" or higher at least. In any event, "OOPS!"

Did you get any replies to your inquiries yet Keith? As it stands, if something can't be saved or done for those such as me it's not worth it. The program is good and all works great, but navagation is too difficult for those legally blind such as me.

Sincerely,
Phil

[Keith Heitmann]

The only reply I have gotten back was from the first suggestion I sent in about the font size, and I forwarded a copy of that reply to you. I haven't heard anything back on the other suggestions I've submitted so far.

They do have a forum where you can post such things too, but I've been using the "feedback" link in the Grouper program to send them suggestions.

I believe you did mentioned before that you had MS Media Player v. 10.

[Phil Walker]

Yes, version 10 is what I have and did "fix" the buffer settings. So, no worries with that.

As to the other "feedbacks" I have seen the link to do so as well, but since you put it in, will wait to hear what you do. Although a link to the forums may be of help, as I now have it disabled until I get something as it is almost impossible to do much unless SOMETHING can or will be done. So, I'll wait OR post it in the forums.

Sincerely,
Phil