In the Transfer area, you can you can monitor file transfers between you and other Napster users - both inbound transfers to your computer and outbound transfers to other Napster users. You also have some options for controlling those transfers. To get to the Transfer area, click the Transfer button in the Napster navigation bar.

Transferring files

When you start downloading a file in the Search area, you'll be taken to the Transfer screen. This screen is split into two windows: the top window displays inbound transfers, and the bottom window displays outbound transfers.

The columns in the Transfer screen display data about the file transfers taking place. This information is similar to the kinds of data found in your search results or displayed in My Files. Here's an explanation of the information:

Filename
The name of the file you're transferring.

File Size
The size of the file you're transferring.

User
The user name of the person sharing this file with you or getting this file from you.

Status
The status of the transfer can be any of the following:

• Connecting: Napster is establishing a connection between your computer and that of the user transferring with you.
• Transferring: The file is being transferred either to or from your computer.
• Transfer Error: The file did not transfer completely. If you get this message often, make sure your computer is configured optimally for Napster transfers.
• Timed Out: The file didn't transfer within the allotted time. Napster limits how long it will try to establish a connection between you and another user. If it takes too long, the transfer will be "Timed Out." You'll also get this message when a user from whom you're downloading logs off before the transfer has completed.
• File Complete: The transfer was successful. If you were downloading a file, you'll find it in the My Files area. If you were transferring a file to another user, you just shared a file with the Napster Community.

Speed
The connection speed of the user with whom you're transferring.

Progress
A progress bar shows what percentage of the file has already transferred.

Rate
The rate of the transfer in kilobytes per second.

Time Left
The estimated time left for the transfer to finish.

Once a file transfer has begun, you can right-click the file name to see a menu of these advanced options:

Play File
Allows you to play the file while it downloads to your computer. The transfer must begin before you can use this feature, and you can only play the portion that has already transferred.

Force Transfer
When files are "queued" or waiting to download, you can use this option to try to start downloading a file in the queue.

Prioritize
This feature lets you change the order of queued downloads. To transfer a file first, move it to the top of the list; to transfer it last, move it to the bottom.

Cancel Transfer
Stops the file transfer. The file information will stay on the Transfer screen.

Delete/Abort Transfer
Stops the file transfer and deletes the file information from the Transfer screen.

Instant Message
Lets you send an Instant Message the user sharing this file.

Add User to Hot List
As you transfer files, you might find another Napster user who shares your musical tastes. You can stay in touch, know when that user is online, and browse his or her files by adding that user to your Hot List.

Browse Files
View this user's shared files.

View User Information
See basic information about the user sharing this file.

Clear Finished
Clears your Transfer screen of completed or canceled transfers, as well as information about any file not currently transferring or queued for transfer.

Setting your Transfer Preferences

You can control your transfers through the Sharing and Downloading tabs in your Napster Preferences. To access your transfer Preferences, go to the File menu in the Napster menu bar, and choose Preferences.

Security

When sharing files from your computer, it's natural to be concerned about the risk of unwanted visitors and viruses.

Napster understands your concern for your computer's safety. To the best of our knowledge, the Napster system is secure - no one using Napster can access any of your files other than the MP3 and WMA files in your shared folder(s) and download folder.

Napster makes only files in your shared folder(s) and your download folder tagged with ".mp3" or ".wma" available for sharing. Napster also does a series of checks to make sure files are MP3s or WMAs.

Viruses

The only virus you'll catch while using Napster is the funk virus. It will affect your mind, body, and soul.

Oh - you were thinking of computer viruses!

Because files transferred through the Napster Community are played and not executed, there's little risk of getting a virus-infected file through Napster. Nevertheless, it's always best to be cautious with material acquired through the Internet.