FAQ - Slingvine

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I start the application?
2. How do I send photos or music to a friend?
3. Are there any kinds of files that can't be shared with Slingvine?
4. Is it possible to send extremely large files, like full length videos?
5. What if my computer is behind a firewall?
6. How many people can download my pictures?
7. How can I make sure that my Slinger is visible to other computers?
8. How long will my files be hosted for, and how long do my friends have to download the files?
9. Are any copies made of my files?
10. Who else can access my files besides the people I send the link to?
11. Could Slingvine be used to send files illegally?
12. When are the files on the website deleted?
13. Will it cost me anything to use Slingvine?

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1. How to I start the application?

You do not need to start anything. After you download the application, you will see the option "Sling it" in Windows Explorer if you right click on a file or folder. You can upload and share files directly from Windows Explorer.

2. How do I send photos or music to a friend?

It's simple:

Browse on your computer using Windows Explorer, and select the files or folders you want to send.
Right click using the mouse, and select "Sling Selected Items". A small application window will pop up and the files will start uploading. A webpage with the files will pop up for you to review.
Copy the link to the web address from the webpage in the browser, and paste it in an email to whoever you like.
When your friends get your email, they can simply click on the link to see the page. They will see the pictures or songs you are sending, and they can just press the "Download All With Slinger" button to download them to their computer. (They will also have to install the Slinger client.)

3. Are there any kinds of files that can't be shared with Slingvine?

No. There are no restrictions on the kind of file you can send.

4. Is it possible to send extremely large files, like full length videos?

Yes, you can send files of any size or type, or any number of files. However if your file(s) are very large, it may take a long time for them to upload and for your friends to download. How long will depend on your internet connection and network traffic. You can check your upload progress in the Slinger application window while uploading. If you turn your computer off or your network connection is disrupted for some reason, Slingvine will automatically pause uploading and resume when your connection is re-established. If your files add up to more than 50MB, you will have to leave your computer on and the Slinger client application running until your friends have downloaded the files. If your files add up to less than 50MB, you can exit the Slinger or turn your computer off after they are uploaded. However, because this is a P2P service, file transfers are more efficient if you leave your Slinger running.

5. What if my computer is behind a firewall?

You should not have to configure anything to upload files or to send file collections less than 50MB. For larger collections, you will have to leave your computer on and ensure that your Slinger client application is externally available. To do this you should verify that your firewall allows external connections to the Slinger. If you are using Windows Firewall, go to Control Panel -> Windows Firewall and check the Exceptions and/or Advanced tabs to make sure the Slinger is added and checked on the list of permitted services. For other firewalls you will have to check the documentation.

Configuration of the Slinger client application is similar to that of any other P2P client. More detailed information can be found on sites like http://www.canyouseeme.org/ which will tell you if you have blocked ports, or other P2P configuration sites like http://www.utorrent.com/setup_guide.php.

6. How many people can download my pictures?

Anybody you send the link to the webpage with your pictures will be able to access the page and download them. How fast or slow it takes them will depend on their personal internet connections. Slingvine manages simultaneous downloads efficiently, so it shouldn't be a problem if several people access your page at the same time.

7. How can I make sure that my Slinger is visible to other computers?

For large file collections, you will have to leave your computer on and make sure your Slinger client program is visible over the internet for the people you want to access your files, for as long as you want those files to be available.

You should verify that your firewall allows external connections to the Slinger. If you are using Windows Firewall, go to Control Panel -> Windows Firewall and check the Exceptions and/or Advanced tabs to make sure the Slinger is added and checked on the list of permitted services. You can use websites like http://www.canyouseeme.org/ to determine if your ports are being blocked by a firewall.

8. How long will my files be hosted for, and how long do my friends have to download the files?

By default your files will be hosted for seven (7) days. In future versions this will be configurable.