> might be my ntl connection, or maybe it's not mac/safari compatible - every time the ticker
>  hits zero i get told i'm already downloading something and have to go back and go through
>  the whole process again
 
I had the same problem the first time I was using rapidshare.  I can't say I did anything to resolve it; just tried again a few days later.
 
Since Rapid logs your IP address, you might want to try a release/renew on it.
 
Many ISPs rotate IP address.  By releasing your IP and renewing it you most likely will get a new IP, and thus get around Rapid's blocking.  Not sure of the exact instructions, but google it and I'm sure you'll find out how.
 
Good luck.
 
-paul