EiskaltDC++

EiskaltDC++ is a free and open–source file sharing program that uses Direct Connect and Advanced Direct Connect protocols.

It is a modification of DC++, a more widely known as DC client.
There are several modifications of DC++ being actively developed today. Each one has its pros and cons and choosing one ends up being more a question of personal taste. In fact, it would probably not be too hard to do a single program with different add-on’s people could install to personalize their experience – I am not making suggestions, just trying to convey to you how they are all, more or less, the same.

According to its developers, EiskaltDC++ is highly based on DC++, meaning it is more build upon it than really an extensive modification. Comparing it, for instance, with StrongDC++ (another modification of DC++) you will find that it will not import any of your settings, shared folders, or hashed codes (any file you share has to be attributed a hash code). So, even if you already installed DC++, EiskaltDC++ means a fresh start.

You should know how to work with peer-to-peer and especially how the Direct Connect network works in order to make this program work. There is scarce to no information at all – it is not a good starting point for a newbie. Personally, I find the user interface somewhat not intuitive - why should the preferences button, which you probably rarely use, be in the left most position? Anyway, Direct Connect modus operandi remains unchanged since the beginning. First you download a list of public hubs (the program comes with a list of Internet addresses from where you can choose one). Then you connect to a hub and start chatting and downloading file lists from other users. You have the option to search a hub for a particular file.

There are some efficiency improvements on this client, as compared to its original source, but mainly the most important differences are conceptual and you will not be noticing those.

As any other program related to Direct Connect, EiskaltDC++ suffers from the consequences of using an old network protocol. Each peer depends on a hub to find other peers. The connection to a hub will greatly degrade as further apart the hub is geographically from a peer, making download times very long, or even impossible – with consecutive error messages. Chatting to other users is also rare, be it because there are less peers, because most clients are unattended (with “away messages”), or even because the clients are not effective at alerting users to a new incoming message.

In conclusion EiskaltDC++ feels more like an interesting approach if you are a developer looking for open-source Direct Connect clients to study or work on, as opposed to a final user application. Notice that the program works perfectly, has no major bugs or otherwise lacks any important feature, but you would have to try and guess how to work with it, and if you have already worked with another DC client you will find that everything is out of place - sort of speak. On the other hand, if you are already accustomed to the Direct Connect network, you can give this program a try, as its differences might just be to your liking.

Version 2.2 (I tested version 2.2.3) has no major changes, however there were a lot of small improvements, bug fixing, and minor features adding. You should update because it will affect your experience with EiskaltDC++.