Question about sharing "list only"

thescarletfire's picture
Submitted by thescarletfire on Sun, 05/19/2013 - 15:10
Forums: 
Soulseek General Discussion

Hey Nir,

So back a few years when I was using the older client NS, I noticed that if someone was sharing "list only" files, when I went to browse their files, I could still at least see their files - and only when I went to try downloading from them did my queue reflect and say "file not shared" (or something like that.)

I really enjoyed being able to see the entire shares of a user, even if they were list only, because from a networking perspective, I found it to be incredibly helpful when communicating and negotiating (for lack of better word) with said list-only user to maybe have a mutual "add me" to our lists. It helped those 'list only' sharers meet new people while still not blocking people's searches when they try to browse shares.

Is this possible currently in the Qt client?

Can someone search for a term, see my file in their results and browse my files to see my shares, even if I'm list only? Or are they totally 100% blocked to even see my shares once I set to list-only?

I hope there is a way to go back to the old way of "everyone can see everyone's shares but still have list-only downloads resulting in "file not shared" where applicable."

Just curious if there is a setting in Qt that I missed perhaps that will allow this.

Thanks man.

Submitted by Nir on Sun, 05/19/2013 - 18:25.

Hey Scarlet, I don't believe that was ever the case. Privately shared files are not visible to users who can't download them. If you could see the user's files but not download them, they might have been using the old 0 upload slots exploit, which is not available in SoulseekQt.

Thanks, Nir

Submitted by Nir on Sun, 05/19/2013 - 18:36.

That said there is definitely some merit to the idea of being able to share your files privately but visibly in some form. The biggest challenge would be not to have it interfere with the usual file search process. Perhaps use a method of returning results that is only visible to other SoulseekQt clients, prioritize them lower in the list of results than those that are shared publicly and mark them as such. This is quite an exciting an idea, but it's definitely going to take some doing. I'll add a feature request later today to gauge interest in this feature idea.

thescarletfire's picture

Submitted by thescarletfire on Sun, 05/19/2013 - 20:45.

Ah, hmm. Interesting - I forgot about the 0 upload slot thingy, that's most likely the case.

Thank you so much for considering it. I truly feel that, once mapped out and if it could be implemented, it would allow a greater sense of community and encourage interaction between list-only's and the other folks. That way, people could "see" the files they want during their normal searching, and when they download and see the error in the queue, it only motivates them to say hello and network - :) Thus, sharing makes the world go 'round and people's lists grow longer and longer. It's win win, imho. Let the files show all in one mega-search results, (list only+open sharers) that really wouldn't be that much of a bother to those searching. I mean, worst case, it makes people talk to each other lol, no? If it was me and I was looking high and low for a certain file, and found it in a search, and had the list-only file remote error message, you bet I'd be messaging that other person :)

Honestly, I would love to see SoulseekQt continue to progress in ways (like this) so that it will stand out among all other sharing communities out there (clients). Forgive me if I'm rambling, I've had a wee bit of scotch this fine evening.

Thanks man, you deserve a prize for all the work you do on this project!

Submitted by Nir on Sun, 05/19/2013 - 21:56.

Thank you! I most definitely agree there's potentially something big here that could really strengthen the network. There are people out there with incredible collections who are effectively cut off from everyone because they're sharing privately. Letting them offer what they have on their own terms, while somewhat inconvenient, may open up people to a vast number of choices they haven't had before. The way I envision the system is this: when you share a specific folder, you'll get the option of making the folder visible if it is shared privately. The files in this folder will be returned as search results, but only be processed by other SoulseekQt clients (as I have no desire to confuse users of the original client with files that are not readily available to them and can't be marked as such.) When received by your client, these private files will by default be displayed below publicly shared files, but in cases where something rare is only shared privately, these results should still be immediately visible. They will clearly be marked as files that are shared privately, and the user will have the option of turning off the display of private results if they're not interested in seeing them at all. These should hopefully keep everyone happy. I'm rather excited about this and will try to get something going by the end of the next weekend!

Thanks, Nir

thescarletfire's picture

Submitted by thescarletfire on Sun, 05/19/2013 - 23:31.

Bloody brilliant approach, I totally agree with your envisioning - 100% spot on! "As is"

I'm excited as well, glad I could plant the seed in your head ;)

I think what you describe, if you could pull it off, would elevate Soulseek - and the Soulseek community experience - to a whole new level.

Scarlet

Submitted by Wimalayan on Mon, 05/20/2013 - 06:10.

wow yea.. this sounds like an amazing idea! :-))

Submitted by sysmaster01 on Tue, 05/21/2013 - 11:31.

heheh :P

well, it actually is, and all the lotta text that thescarletfire wrote in their initial post can be summarized in one sentence:

scarlet wanna see what ppl are hiding behind their backs.

Not? :P

"The files in this folder will be returned as search results, but only be processed by other SoulseekQt clients ([...] no[t] users of the original client [...])

This seems one of the most important things that Nir wrote. Because what this idea is not:

It should NOT be confused with some hackish "peeking button" solution you could imagine on a large vBulletin sort of forum, revealing all private sub-forums in there. This related idea, though a marvellous 'tool' for sure, would be more than questionable. :-d

Well, for real, there is still a requirement of the user's concession to show these files to the public.

Just wanted to point this out to everyone who thinks that this is like a magical spell revealing everything people share privately. Now that would arouse a load of protest, lol!

Submitted by Nir on Tue, 05/21/2013 - 22:56.

I don't think that's what Scarlet meant at all. He had the mistaken impression based on an unfortunate exploit that privately shared files were supposed to be visible, and it's thanks to that and him that we might have this new system.

Submitted by sysmaster01 on Wed, 05/22/2013 - 10:25.

off-topic: I thought scarlet is a "she" ;)