I wonder if such a Hub already exists, but if it doesn't why not create one? 
)
The DC++ Hub: A User Guide and FAQ
Part One: The Hub Set-up Guide
AN INTRODUCTION
The Hub is a file-sharing portal utilizing the Direct Connect Protocol. Like other Peer-to-Peer file sharing options such as Bittorrent, it allows resume-able and rapid downloading of files from multiple sources. Unlike other options, the hub is heavily moderated and the files are marked with a unique hash ID, reducing the chance of picking up potentially damaging malware from a fraudulent or misidentified file. The Hub also boasts very active multiple real-time chat rooms, so it's a great place to connect with other members and keep up-to-date with the latest news and informations
Please note that the Hub's function is to approve new members, provide chat room functionality, and negotiate connections between clients. The Hub's server hosts no files: it only facilitates the sharing of files between users from their own private collections. The content of your share and it's compliance to the laws in your region are your own responsibility. A detailed guide to the hub's sharing policy will appear in Part Three of this guide.
PART ONE: HOW TO GET STARTED
1) Download the software
The DC++ protocol requires you to install client software, you cannot access the Hub through your web browser. Though there are many DC clients out there,
the best bet for stability is DC++ itself, known by some users as "Vanilla DC++." You can download the latest version at their website here:
http://dcplusplus.sourceforge.net/download.html
-- there may be other sites claiming a "fast free download" of some version or another. I've downloaded a few of them and an anti-virus scan has occasionally
found malware, root kits and trojans. Play it safe and stick with DC++'s own page at sourceforge.net.
2) Installing the program
Now that you've downloaded the program, you're ready to install DC++. After the usual language settings and selecting the location to install the program, you'll be ready to start the program for the very first time.
3) Configuring DC++
Once you start DC++, you'll be asked to answer a few questions:
Personal Information
a) Nick -- this is the name you'll be known by at the hub. Keep it simple and make it something you
can live with. Using the same nick in the hub as you use in the forum is always a good idea.
b) Email -- this can be handy if you're having problems with the program and need to be contacted.
c) Description -- here is a great place to let people know what they can expect in your share:
Once you complete the personal info, you'll find a "help" screen to guide you through the rest of the configuration. If there is nothing between DC++ and the internet,
DC++'s new automatic configuration feature will attempt to connect to the internet. If DC++ is unable to obtain an ACTIVE connection due to a router,
software or hardware firewall (or both) coming in between the program and the internet, it will obtain a PASSIVE connection for you. More about advanced
connection settings will appear in Part Two of this tutorial.
4)Preparing your share.
--You'll need at least 1 gigabyte (GB) of Music Videos and/or Live Clips to join the Hub. The Hub's specialty is
a) Select "File">>>>>"Settings">>>>>>"Sharing" and click the button "Add folder"
b) Point this toward the folder where you keep your Alizée or other vids. Click "OK."
Give the folder a few minutes to hash.
c) You can add additional folders by repeating this method. The more you share, the easier it
is to gain the respect and priority connections from other hubbers. Remember to add the files
you download from other hubbers to your own share as quickly as possible.
5)Setting Up the Connection to the Hub
a) Click on the "Favorite Hubs" button (the gold star)
b) Select "new" and fill in the following info:
Name: Akiba Online Hub
Address: "to be created "
"
c) Click on the "OK" button.
d) Select the new group and click on the button "connect."
-- you're now at the front door!
6) Joining the Hub
--The Hub is a PRIVATE Hub, so until you are registered by a Hub Operator (or "OP")
and log in with your password, chat and downloading will be disabled.
a) Your mouse cursor should be blinking in the dialog box (in roughly the middle of the screen).
Type the following into the dialog box:
!regme "password" ( replace the phrase "password" with your choice of password.
You don't need the "quotes")
b) Hit "enter" and wait. Though several hub Operators may be online at the time, they may
not be at their keyboards at the moment you decided to join the hub. Please be patient
and wait for someone to get to you. You can send a private message to the OPs if it seems
you've waited a really long time.
c) You will eventually be contacted by an OP. If he asks for you to remove or change some files that
are in your share, be sure and do so and let him know that you've done what was asked. When the OP
finishes your registration, you'll recieve a message with your password info. Be sure and save that and
activate the checkboxes to "save chat" in the "Log" settings.
d) Now click on the "Favorite Hubs" (gold star) button once again and select the Hub and push the
"Properties" button. Input your password in the space provided ("Password") and select "OK."
DON'T MAKE A MISTAKE TYPING IN YOUR PASSWORD! You won't be able to get in if you make a typographical error here.
e) While you still have the "Favorite Hubs" window open and highlighted on the Hub, click the button "Move to group"
and select "Auto-connect group." This means when you initiate dc++, it will automatically connect you to the Hub
and you'll log in with your password. Now you can close the Favorite Hubs window.
f) Go to "File>>>>>"Reconnect" and if you did everything right you should log into the hub as the newest Alizée
Hub member.
***CONGRATULATIONS... YOU ARE NOW A MEMBER OF THE HUB!****
================================================
Hub FAQ: Easy Solutions to Sticky Problems
PART TWO: ADVANCED HUB CONFIGURATION and CONNECTION SETTINGS
Q): "I'VE FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS IN PART ONE FOR CONNECTING TO THE HUB BUT STILL CAN'T DOWNLOAD ANYTHING, INCLUDING
OTHER HUBBER'S FILE LISTS. WHEN I TRY, I GET THE MESSAGE: "Connection timed out." HOW DO I FIX THIS PROBLEM SO I CAN BEGIN
DOWNLOADING FROM THE HUB?
A): Solution # 1: CHANGE YOUR CONNECTION SETTINGS TO A "PASSIVE" CONNECTION
Chances are, you are behind a firewall or router and it is blocking your ability to connect to the hub.
The quickest fix to this problem, so you can connect to the hub and begin downloading right away,
is switch to a PASSIVE CONNECTION.
Here's how to do that:
a): Go to "File>>>>>>>>Settings>>>>>>>>>Manual Configuration"
b): Select the option "Passive Mode (last resort)"
c): Click "OK"
YOUR CONNECTION SHOULD NOW WORK. TRY DOWNLOADING A FILE LIST FROM AN OPERATOR TO BE SURE.
---OR----
Solution # 2: ENABLE PORT FORWARDING FOR AN "ACTIVE" CONNECTION
Passive connections have their drawbacks: you can only download from ACTIVE users, not other PASSIVE users,
your connection is a bigger resource drain on the hub, and there are limitations of the "Search" function.
Eventually, you'll want to try to enable an ACTIVE CONNECTION.
You will do this by "poking a hole" through the HARDWARE firewall (like a router or hub or some broadband
modems) or SOFTWARE firewall (like Zone Alarm or the Microsoft Internet Firewall)-- or BOTH-- that's blocking
your connection by opening a port (called "Port Forwarding").
Let's get started:
ACTIVE MODE OPTION ONE:
a) If you have a more advanced "Plug and Play" router, sometimes DC++ can configure
the settings for you. The first thing to try is to change your settings to allow that to happen.
Go to "File>>>>>>>Settings>>>>>>>>Manual Configuration"
b) select the option "Let DC++ configure my router."
c) You may have to re-start DC++ or re-boot your computer to release the old (passive) connection
and enable the new (active) one.
ACTIVE MODE OPTION TWO (old school):
Sometimes you've got to do all the work yourself and that involves setting everything up manually.
I) Step One will be to open up ports on your router. This is usually found on your routers setup screen
as "Port Forwarding" or "Gaming." Consult the manual for your router (or look it up online) to
find the settings that apply to you. Be aware that some router/modems provided by ISPs offer NO
Port Forwarding functionality, and in that case you're stuck with either changing your ISP or
settling for a passive connection.
You'll want to point the incoming and outgoing ports (TCP, UDP and TLS)to the same port, let's say port 1209.
Remember this setting: you'll need it later.
II) Step Two will be to make sure you are not being blocked by your software firewall (Zone Alarm, Windows Firewall,
Norton Internet Firewall, etc). In most cases you'll need to create a "firewall exception" for the DC++ program
to pass through unimpeded.
III) Step Three will be to set up DC++ to use these new settings.
a) Go to "File>>>>>>>Settings>>>>>>>>Manual Configuration"
Select the option "Manual port forwarding (I have configured my router by myself)."
b) Type in your external IP address (NOT your internal address which is usually something like "192.168.xxx.xxx").
You can find your external IP address by typing "!myip" into Robocop's chat window or visiting one of the following websites:
http://www.dslreports.com/ip.html
--or--
http://www.geobytes.com/IpLocator.htm?GetLocation
c) Now assign the ports. We will use the port we opened in the router, (1209) for both our incoming and outgoing connection.
Click "OK."
d) You may have to re-start DC++ or re-boot your computer to release the old (passive) connection
and enable the new (active) one.
Since this is meant to be a concise guide, the detailed instructions to obtain an active connection in each and
every case is well outside the parameters of this FAQ. However, an excellent guide can be found at the DC++ website.
The link to the "Getting Started" FAQ is below:
http://dcplusplus.sourceforge.net/we...t_started.html
The "Broadband Reports" website has an excellant dc++ FAQ also. Here's a link:
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/dc
--GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY DOWNLOADING!---
)The DC++ Hub: A User Guide and FAQ
Part One: The Hub Set-up Guide
AN INTRODUCTION
The Hub is a file-sharing portal utilizing the Direct Connect Protocol. Like other Peer-to-Peer file sharing options such as Bittorrent, it allows resume-able and rapid downloading of files from multiple sources. Unlike other options, the hub is heavily moderated and the files are marked with a unique hash ID, reducing the chance of picking up potentially damaging malware from a fraudulent or misidentified file. The Hub also boasts very active multiple real-time chat rooms, so it's a great place to connect with other members and keep up-to-date with the latest news and informations
Please note that the Hub's function is to approve new members, provide chat room functionality, and negotiate connections between clients. The Hub's server hosts no files: it only facilitates the sharing of files between users from their own private collections. The content of your share and it's compliance to the laws in your region are your own responsibility. A detailed guide to the hub's sharing policy will appear in Part Three of this guide.
PART ONE: HOW TO GET STARTED
1) Download the software
The DC++ protocol requires you to install client software, you cannot access the Hub through your web browser. Though there are many DC clients out there,
the best bet for stability is DC++ itself, known by some users as "Vanilla DC++." You can download the latest version at their website here:
http://dcplusplus.sourceforge.net/download.html
-- there may be other sites claiming a "fast free download" of some version or another. I've downloaded a few of them and an anti-virus scan has occasionally
found malware, root kits and trojans. Play it safe and stick with DC++'s own page at sourceforge.net.
2) Installing the program
Now that you've downloaded the program, you're ready to install DC++. After the usual language settings and selecting the location to install the program, you'll be ready to start the program for the very first time.
3) Configuring DC++
Once you start DC++, you'll be asked to answer a few questions:
Personal Information
a) Nick -- this is the name you'll be known by at the hub. Keep it simple and make it something you
can live with. Using the same nick in the hub as you use in the forum is always a good idea.
b) Email -- this can be handy if you're having problems with the program and need to be contacted.
c) Description -- here is a great place to let people know what they can expect in your share:
Once you complete the personal info, you'll find a "help" screen to guide you through the rest of the configuration. If there is nothing between DC++ and the internet,
DC++'s new automatic configuration feature will attempt to connect to the internet. If DC++ is unable to obtain an ACTIVE connection due to a router,
software or hardware firewall (or both) coming in between the program and the internet, it will obtain a PASSIVE connection for you. More about advanced
connection settings will appear in Part Two of this tutorial.
4)Preparing your share.
--You'll need at least 1 gigabyte (GB) of Music Videos and/or Live Clips to join the Hub. The Hub's specialty is
a) Select "File">>>>>"Settings">>>>>>"Sharing" and click the button "Add folder"
b) Point this toward the folder where you keep your Alizée or other vids. Click "OK."
Give the folder a few minutes to hash.
c) You can add additional folders by repeating this method. The more you share, the easier it
is to gain the respect and priority connections from other hubbers. Remember to add the files
you download from other hubbers to your own share as quickly as possible.
5)Setting Up the Connection to the Hub
a) Click on the "Favorite Hubs" button (the gold star)
b) Select "new" and fill in the following info:
Name: Akiba Online Hub
Address: "to be created "
"
c) Click on the "OK" button.
d) Select the new group and click on the button "connect."
-- you're now at the front door!
6) Joining the Hub
--The Hub is a PRIVATE Hub, so until you are registered by a Hub Operator (or "OP")
and log in with your password, chat and downloading will be disabled.
a) Your mouse cursor should be blinking in the dialog box (in roughly the middle of the screen).
Type the following into the dialog box:
!regme "password" ( replace the phrase "password" with your choice of password.
You don't need the "quotes")
b) Hit "enter" and wait. Though several hub Operators may be online at the time, they may
not be at their keyboards at the moment you decided to join the hub. Please be patient
and wait for someone to get to you. You can send a private message to the OPs if it seems
you've waited a really long time.
c) You will eventually be contacted by an OP. If he asks for you to remove or change some files that
are in your share, be sure and do so and let him know that you've done what was asked. When the OP
finishes your registration, you'll recieve a message with your password info. Be sure and save that and
activate the checkboxes to "save chat" in the "Log" settings.
d) Now click on the "Favorite Hubs" (gold star) button once again and select the Hub and push the
"Properties" button. Input your password in the space provided ("Password") and select "OK."
DON'T MAKE A MISTAKE TYPING IN YOUR PASSWORD! You won't be able to get in if you make a typographical error here.
e) While you still have the "Favorite Hubs" window open and highlighted on the Hub, click the button "Move to group"
and select "Auto-connect group." This means when you initiate dc++, it will automatically connect you to the Hub
and you'll log in with your password. Now you can close the Favorite Hubs window.
f) Go to "File>>>>>"Reconnect" and if you did everything right you should log into the hub as the newest Alizée
Hub member.
***CONGRATULATIONS... YOU ARE NOW A MEMBER OF THE HUB!****
================================================
Hub FAQ: Easy Solutions to Sticky Problems
PART TWO: ADVANCED HUB CONFIGURATION and CONNECTION SETTINGS
Q): "I'VE FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS IN PART ONE FOR CONNECTING TO THE HUB BUT STILL CAN'T DOWNLOAD ANYTHING, INCLUDING
OTHER HUBBER'S FILE LISTS. WHEN I TRY, I GET THE MESSAGE: "Connection timed out." HOW DO I FIX THIS PROBLEM SO I CAN BEGIN
DOWNLOADING FROM THE HUB?
A): Solution # 1: CHANGE YOUR CONNECTION SETTINGS TO A "PASSIVE" CONNECTION
Chances are, you are behind a firewall or router and it is blocking your ability to connect to the hub.
The quickest fix to this problem, so you can connect to the hub and begin downloading right away,
is switch to a PASSIVE CONNECTION.
Here's how to do that:
a): Go to "File>>>>>>>>Settings>>>>>>>>>Manual Configuration"
b): Select the option "Passive Mode (last resort)"
c): Click "OK"
YOUR CONNECTION SHOULD NOW WORK. TRY DOWNLOADING A FILE LIST FROM AN OPERATOR TO BE SURE.
---OR----
Solution # 2: ENABLE PORT FORWARDING FOR AN "ACTIVE" CONNECTION
Passive connections have their drawbacks: you can only download from ACTIVE users, not other PASSIVE users,
your connection is a bigger resource drain on the hub, and there are limitations of the "Search" function.
Eventually, you'll want to try to enable an ACTIVE CONNECTION.
You will do this by "poking a hole" through the HARDWARE firewall (like a router or hub or some broadband
modems) or SOFTWARE firewall (like Zone Alarm or the Microsoft Internet Firewall)-- or BOTH-- that's blocking
your connection by opening a port (called "Port Forwarding").
Let's get started:
ACTIVE MODE OPTION ONE:
a) If you have a more advanced "Plug and Play" router, sometimes DC++ can configure
the settings for you. The first thing to try is to change your settings to allow that to happen.
Go to "File>>>>>>>Settings>>>>>>>>Manual Configuration"
b) select the option "Let DC++ configure my router."
c) You may have to re-start DC++ or re-boot your computer to release the old (passive) connection
and enable the new (active) one.
ACTIVE MODE OPTION TWO (old school):
Sometimes you've got to do all the work yourself and that involves setting everything up manually.
I) Step One will be to open up ports on your router. This is usually found on your routers setup screen
as "Port Forwarding" or "Gaming." Consult the manual for your router (or look it up online) to
find the settings that apply to you. Be aware that some router/modems provided by ISPs offer NO
Port Forwarding functionality, and in that case you're stuck with either changing your ISP or
settling for a passive connection.
You'll want to point the incoming and outgoing ports (TCP, UDP and TLS)to the same port, let's say port 1209.
Remember this setting: you'll need it later.
II) Step Two will be to make sure you are not being blocked by your software firewall (Zone Alarm, Windows Firewall,
Norton Internet Firewall, etc). In most cases you'll need to create a "firewall exception" for the DC++ program
to pass through unimpeded.
III) Step Three will be to set up DC++ to use these new settings.
a) Go to "File>>>>>>>Settings>>>>>>>>Manual Configuration"
Select the option "Manual port forwarding (I have configured my router by myself)."
b) Type in your external IP address (NOT your internal address which is usually something like "192.168.xxx.xxx").
You can find your external IP address by typing "!myip" into Robocop's chat window or visiting one of the following websites:
http://www.dslreports.com/ip.html
--or--
http://www.geobytes.com/IpLocator.htm?GetLocation
c) Now assign the ports. We will use the port we opened in the router, (1209) for both our incoming and outgoing connection.
Click "OK."
d) You may have to re-start DC++ or re-boot your computer to release the old (passive) connection
and enable the new (active) one.
Since this is meant to be a concise guide, the detailed instructions to obtain an active connection in each and
every case is well outside the parameters of this FAQ. However, an excellent guide can be found at the DC++ website.
The link to the "Getting Started" FAQ is below:
http://dcplusplus.sourceforge.net/we...t_started.html
The "Broadband Reports" website has an excellant dc++ FAQ also. Here's a link:
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/dc
--GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY DOWNLOADING!---
