First, check to see if you simply have Java disabled. Visit http://www.java.com/en/download/help/enable_browser.xml and find your browser in the list. Follow the instructions for your browser to ensure that Java is enabled.
If you do not have Java installed, it can be downloaded from Sun for free by following the instructions at http://java.com/en/download/index.jsp. You will probably need to restart your web browser after installing Java in order to use nearshare.net.
If you are running Linux, the installation procedure for the Java plug-in is not obvious. Help is available at http://plugindoc.mozdev.org/faqs/java.html#Linux.
If you still have no luck, see other problems.
If you do not have javascript enabled, try following the instructions at http://www.google.com/support/adsense/bin/answer.py?answer=12654&topic=159.
If you still have no luck, see other problems.
Firewall issues can prevent you from seeing files shared by others, and can prevent others from seeing your shared files.
If you are running Microsoft Windows XP with its built-in firewall, you can learn how to change its settings by visiting http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/internet/sp2_wfsettings.mspx. You will need to create an "Exception" for your web browser (that is, Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.).
If you are running a different firewall, you should check its documentation.
The important thing is that you allow communications on port 7564 (both TCP and UDP).
If you still have no luck, see other problems.
This happens if you do not explicitly trust the nearshare.net applet, which needs to be able to read files from your computer in order to share them. You should be prompted when you first visit nearshare.net; make sure you answer Yes when asked if you want to trust the signed applet distributed by "Marty Lamb".
If you answered No but want to be asked again, you will need to close and restart your web browser.
If you still have no luck, see other problems.
nearshare.net has a lot of moving parts; everything has to line up just right in order for it to work properly. This is greatly complicated by the number of web browsers, browser configurations, and operating systems in widespread use.
nearshare.net has been tested using Firefox on Linux and Microsoft Windows, and Internet Explorer 6 on Microsoft Windows. It might work perfectly well on other platforms and browsers, but it might not. I would very much like to ensure Mac support, but I do not currently have a Mac development environment (if you think you can help me out with this, contact me via the link in the page footer).
Your best bet is to make sure that you are using one of the tested configurations, and that java and javascript are both enabled.
You will also need to make sure you answer Yes when asked if you want to trust the signed applet distributed by "Marty Lamb".
Other approaches to making nearshare.net work for you include:
Great! Please send an email to solutions at nearshare dot net with a description of what you did, and I will incorporate it here or point to your site.