Uploads

• http://uploadmirrors.com/ (Qooy based, supports up to 12 mirrors)
• http://sharebee.com/
• http://rapidspread.com/
• http://qooy.com/
• http://massmirror.com/ (Drawback: This one tends to crash with files over 50 MB)
• http://www.uploadjockey.com/ (Drawback: This one doesn't accept the .7z format)

Exceptional single-mirror sites

These are single-mirror sites that the multi-mirrors sites don't reach which have no download/bandwidth limits. They may be useful in addition to the regular multi-mirror sites. Be aware that sites like this come and go quickly, so your links aren't as likely to last.

• http://mediafire.com/
• http://jellyshare.com/

Why use multiple mirrors?

This way your downloaders don't have to deal with running out of Rapidshare or Megaupload bandwidth and they can easily cancel and try another mirror if their download speed is too slow. It works out much better for everyone in the long run.

Counter arguments against multiple upload mirrors

A counter argument to this is that it takes slightly longer, uploads fail slightly more often and "Such-and-such a site doesn't have bandwidth limits." The first two can be dismissed as lazyness but the third merits some consideration. People who make that argument often don't realize that sites like that are here today, gone tomorrow. And single sites often crash or have server problems which lead people to think your links have expired.

Additional reasons for using multiple mirrors

A single mirror is easy for the anti-sharing crowd to complain about and/or get pulled down. With multiple mirrors, only complainers who are really serious (which usually means they actually have some legitimate reason to complain, unlike many complainers) will be able to get your links shut down.

Why not use torrents, p2p networks or IRC DCC sends?

Torrents are the way to go for new and popular stuff. But old, rare, little known or unpopular stuff usually can't get enough seeds to make torrents practical. For that kind of stuff, using direct download mirrors is a better choice.

Most p2p networks may be useful sometimes for finding individual mp3 files but they aren't much good for much else. Programs on p2p are usually viruses - don't ever open an .exe file you downloaded from a p2p network. In fact, don't ever download any .exe files from any p2p network. There's very little feedback system so mislabeled files often get spread anyway.

IRC DCC sends are good except 1. they require the sender to be online all the time and 2. they don't work for some people behind some firewalls they can't control.

Direct download sites may be slow and annoying sometimes but unlike all these other systems, they don't require people to be online at the same time and they work for most people behind firewalls they don't have control over. (like on school campuses)

List the mirrors, not just the one site

If you're only uploading to one mirror site, it is a good idea when posting to list all your mirrors AND the mirror spreading site you uploaded to. That way people can still download your file if the mirror spreading site is shut down, changes it's system or moves to another domain name. With all the mirror links listed, chances are at least one of the links will keep on working.

File formats to use

Use .7z (Not .RAR)

The RAR format is patented. This is an absurd situation since file archiving is such a basic area in which innovation by follow-on creators is needed.

Also, WinRAR is nagware. There is no reason you should be faced with a screen that nags you for money every time you want to unzip something.

Therefore I recommend using the free and open 7zip format. It is easy to setup on any major operating system. There is no reason that anyone with a computer can't open a 7-zip file. It is so easy that a retarded monkey could do it.

• For Windows and Linux: http://7-zip.org/
  • Windows user doesn't want to install? No problem! Just use 7-zip Portable or PeaZip Portable.
• For Mac: iArchiver

Some people ask, "Why not use plain old .zip?" Well, you can if you want. Just be aware that regular .zip doesn't compress large files as small as these other formats can.

Don't use WMA

The WMA format (and the iTunes format for that matter) can be a real pain to convert out of. I recommend using mp3 or ogg. Only problem with ogg is that alot of mp3 players don't support it. MP3 is generally the way to go.

Course, if you're redistributing files you received in WMA format, (or password-free RARs for that matter) might as well pass them on the way you found them.

For lossless/perfect audio quality when ripping direct from a CD or DVD, use the FLAC format. But only use that for really high quality stuff that people are going to care about audio quality for. (I don't think it makes sense to rip vinyl, 8-tracks or cassette tapes to flac) The file size is going to be much bigger but for some really awesome stuff, it's worth it to use FLAC.

BonkEnc/BonkEnc Portable is a great CD-to-mp3-or-flac ripper for Windows users. I recommend using it instead of Windows Media Player or WinAmp to rip CDs.

Don't ever don't ever use WMA cause Microsoft sucks and their formats are ghey.

Want to get credit?

If you are cool enough to not care about getting credit, ignore this entire section.

Put your (fake screen) name in the filename

Don't blame someone for forgetting who you are if you don't put your name or alias in the file name of the files you upload. And obviously if you're uploading copyrighted stuff, even if it's out of print, I'd recommend using a screen name or alias.

Exceptions to this could be when a filename is already too long. In that case, just rely on an NFO or TXT file to tell people about you.

NFO or TXT file

If you want to prevent link stealing and/or get credit for your uploads, include a .NFO or .TXT file in your archive with your release.

Passwords?

I recommend generally not using passwords on your archives unless the information inside is private. Passwords were invented to keep things secret and/or private and should be used for that purpose. Otherwise, they just get in the way.

Few things are more annoying than waiting through an entire download only to be asked for a password you don't have or weren't given.

An exception to this is if you start dealing with a file host that has a script which actually looks inside the archives you upload. This may already be happening and is definitely doable. Using passwords to stop that kind of thing may be a viable last resort.

Other Important Stuff