Bandwidth - Internet Speed Test

Hope I am in the right forum I downloaded a filesharing program (Shareaza) which I think is safe (no spyware etc.?) I am having difficulty downloading AND surfing the internet at the same time. I have been told that I may need to adjust my bandwidth settings, but that first I have to test them. I have found a couple different sites to do this, but I'm really not sure what all the results are telling me. Also, some of the results are dramatically different. Could someone please explain to me in simple terms what these tests are measuring and what the results mean to me?

Thanks

 

You may get your questions about bandwidth answered here, and file sharing programs here.

 

Thanks Dave

 

Of all the P2P programs, Shareaza is a known bandwidth hog!
Each new release promises to address this, but nothing has been done.
Many have given up on it, or given up on P2P completely, as the majority of files are becomming fakes anyhow.
Good Luck

 

Kimberlee--Can we assume you are using broadband (cable or DSL)? If so, the dslreports people also offer a site to tweak (optimize) your connection speed.
http://www.dslreports.com/tweaks