User:Neustradamus/Retroshare Instant Messenger
  | |
| Developer(s) | RetroShare Team |
|---|---|
| Initial release | 2007 |
| Preview release | |
| Written in | C++ |
| Operating system | Windows, Unix-like, OS X |
| Platform | Cross-platform |
| Available in | German, English, Finnish, French, Polish, Swedish, Slovenian, Serbian |
| Type | Instant messaging, online chat, file sharing |
| License | GPL |
| Website | retroshare.sf.net |
RetroShare is a friend-to-friend protocol and software application developed in 2007 that features instant messaging, chat rooms & file browsing/sharing capabilities. RetroShare gives reliable identification and authentication of trusted friends (using RSA keys). It is a decentralised (serverless), open source, social sharing network designed for friends with no dependencies on any corporate server system.
Description
[edit]An introduction scheme to bootstrap to friends over a distributed hash table (DHT), which connects to the friends and facilitates network growth by easy connecting.
Because a direct connection is made with encryption, it is a fast and safe transfer of files.
It uses a modified version of OpenSSL, which is described in detail for its changes on the homepage of the application and by articles of modern computer magazines.
A communication platform which can potentially support services such as secure email to all of the friends, file sharing, video or VOIP.
RetroShare is not strictly friend-to-friend
[edit]The official FAQ states that "The friends of your peers also know of your existence, and can attempt to connect to you through the Auto-Discovery system.". This means that some people that you don't know can use RetroShare to get your IP address and use it to connect to your computer.
Strengths
[edit]Serverless Instant Messenger with Encryption.
Shortcomings
[edit]Video and Voip Chat feature.
