EiskaltDC++

With the Internet connecting PCs all around the world, file sharing quickly became a popular activity. From simple instant messaging applications, local network sharing, peer to peer and ADC, traffic became populated with data flying from one end of the world to the other. With this in mind, EiskaltDC++ comes as a client based on Direct Connect and ADC protocols to provide you with an intuitive way of getting in touch with individuals and sharing files.

On the visual side, the application is pretty modest, but doesn't make you look away. Side panels provide quick access to important areas like hubs, search tasks, downloads list, or favorite manager, as well as users connected to the hub you're on.

In this regard, you'll have to do a little research and gather hub addresses from external sources, because the application does not let you search for available ones. Connecting is quickly done by imputing the correct address in a corresponding field.

Before you can join communities, you might want to pay a visit to the configuration menu in order to set up your connection details, as well as a nickname you're known by. You can configure downloads and sharing options, like choosing files that other can download but also paying attention to legal issues, checking out hotkeys, or picking other colors for GUI elements.

You can connect to multiple hubs at once, depending on your preferences. The ones you frequently visit can be added to a favorites manager, with an option to automatically connect when the application is launched.

A local search engine is put at your disposal so you can quickly find files of interest amongst the shared items. Speed is decent, with the possibility to set a default destination folder and manage ongoing processes.

What's more, you are free to chat with whoever you want, either in the main display if hub rules allow it, or through private messages with other users. You can make friends and even add them to a favorites manager to keep in touch later on.

All things considered, we can safely state that EisakaltDC++ is not necessarily amongst the best of its type, with some areas feeling a little rough around the edges and no search engine for hubs. On the other hand, it's pretty intuitive and easy to use by anyone, regardless of experience, and there's even a portable version to use on the go.