Shazzle Beta Release: Frequently Asked Questions

 

I see a file, but I can't download it. How come?

This is probably because there is no one online who has the file you are trying to download.

NOTE: Staying online continuously is the only way to ensure that your files are available. This is recommended.

Shazzle is a peer-to-peer file sharing application. This means that the files being “shared” are stored on the computer of the person sharing them. In order for you to be able to access a file, the person who uploaded a file or someone who has downloaded that file has to be online.

I double clicked on a file. Why didn't it open?

Double clicking on a file you haven't already downloaded, initiates the download of the file in question. The progress of files being downloaded is shown in the “status” tab at the bottom left hand corner of your screen. Once a download is complete, you can then either play/view the file from the status tab or the area from which you downloaded the file (by double clicking), or by dragging the file into the top right hand corner of your screen.

How do I create multiple user names on one computer?

Unfortunately, for the Beta release of the Shazzle application, you can only create one user name per computer. The ability to create multiple accounts for a single PC will be available in later versions of the Shazzle application.

Can I sign onto my account from multiple computers?

Again, unfortunately: not yet. You'll have to create two different screen names: one for each computer.

How do I shut “sounds” off?

This is another one that is not possible with the Beta version of Shazzle. Later Shazzle releases will offer this functionality.

What is Shazzle World?

Shazzle World is a list of all of the public communities in Shazzle. You can browse these communities by category. The search function for Shazzle communities is not yet available.

How do I create a community?

There's a button on the top left hand side of your screen. Click the “Start Community” button, and you will be taken through a wizard which will prompt you to create your community to your own personal specifications.

What's the difference between a public and private community?

A public community can be seen by any Shazzle member (it is listed in the Shazzle World community hierarchy). Private communities are hidden from the Shazzle World (and subsequently other Shazzle users). The only way people will be aware of your community, is if you invite them personally. To do this, you will have to click the “invite” button located in the middle left hand side of your screen (within your community).

I just closed a webpage that streamed music. Why does the music continue to play after I've closed the webpage or the community as a whole?

This is a bug that we are aware of and are working on. We apologize for any inconvenience.

What is a J-Desktop error?

J-Desktop errors are the result of a bug with our browser plug in. This is another bug that we are aware of and working to iron out. Again: we apologize for any inconvenience.

How do I sign in to my IM (Yahoo!, AIM, MSN, etc.) in Shazzle?

The “IM Sign On” button is located at the top of your screen, in the Shazzle tool bar. After you click the button, you are taken to a Shazzle IM Sign On Screen. Here, you fill in your IM information, and click the “sign in” link on the left-hand side of your wizard for each screen name you wish to sign into.

I can't play WMAs in the media player. Will I be able to upload and download them?

Yes. Unfortunately, the Shazzle Media Player only supports MP3s at the moment. Despite that fact, you can still upload and download various file types.

When I download something, where do my files go?

Your files are automatically downloaded to your C drive/Shazzle/The name of the community you joined.

Why does uploading and joining communities take such a long time?

Several aspects of the application are slower than we would like, at this point. We're working at this, and will release an update as soon as one is available.

I put a new scrolling Shout Out in my community. Why can't other people see it?

You or they may have to hit “update community” in the toolbar. This will be synchronized so that Shout Outs automatically propagate in future versions of Shazzle.

Are there any alternative ways to upload pictures, or other files?

Yes: you can drag photos or other files into a Shazzle folder (the top left-hand corner of your Shazzle screen, where the files are located) and drop them there to make them available to a community. Just find them on your hard drive (click start, find the folder they're located in, etc.) and drag and drop them into the community folder you'd like them to appear in.