Here are some guidelines and tips for sharing folders and disks to help optimize file sharing and prevent problems on your Mac.

• To share a write-only folder (a drop box), you must share the folder containing it with read permission.
• The greater the number of accessed shared folders, the greater the memory and processing demands on your computer. Too many sharing connections slow your system down to a crawl.
• Check any applicable licensing agreements before sharing folders that contain programs, artwork, or sounds. Often, licensing agreements or copyright laws restrict use of such items to a single computer.
• Select a single computer and dedicate it to acting as a file server for the shared information. This method is often the most efficient way to share numerous files or to share folders with several users simultaneously.
• Use a router rather than a hub if your network has a broadband (DSL or cable modem) connection to the Internet. If you use a hub, all activity is routed from one machine to another via your ISP. In addition to upsetting most ISPs, this can result in significant performance degradation.