Feature Request: Chat
 

One thing that I used to like about KaZaa and Napster (back in the day) and the old morpheus was the "find more from same user" feature, and also the ability to chat. This is very nice as it really adds a community feel and is useful for finding new files (instead of just downloading files your already know about.)

I realize that this is a lot of work but it is something which would be nice to see sometime in the distant future...

um, perhaps you should actually try looking at gnucleus' features 1st you request something

ummm... perhaps you should read more than just the subject line of my post.

I know that gnucleus has a "chat" feature but AFAIK, it's just an IRC client. What I am talking about is a way to send messages to certain users directly (like, users who are connected to your machine) in addition to being able to browse all of a certain user's files. this all exists in KaZaa.

ummm... perhaps you should have been more specific to begin with then the misunderstanding wouldn't have occurred in the first place.

As for browsing a user's shared library, I could go for that.

If gnutella clients had those features, the network would have to be centralized and then it would get sued and shut down like Napster did.

IMO chat is not so important. Gnucleus just should download/upload stuff. Nothing else. If I want to talk to someone I use ICQ or the old methode the phone ;)

Why would it have to be centralized? Explain your reasoning behind that please. Just because that's the way Napster or Kazaa chose to do it doesn't mean that's the ONLY way to do it.

Here are my suggestions:

As for chat, the way I see it, chat between two hosts (not using IRC) is already possible in some clients (LimeWire for instance), but as for chatting amongst differently branded clients (ie. between Gnucleus and LimeWire for instance), this could theoretically be accomplished by adopting a simple personal messaging standard (similar to AIM or ICQ except for the requirement of a central server to route messages). As long as it was a connection oriented protocol external to the Gnutella protocol, there would be no danger of flooding the Gnutella network with even more data for servents to route.

As for requesting a host's shared file listing, seeing as file transfers between Gnutella hosts are accomplished using HTTP, that might be a good place to start. Instead of issuing a "GET" command for a specific file, modify the "GET" command to retrieve a list of shared files (unless there is a command within HTTP itself which is used to request a file listing that could be used for this purpose). This would eliminate the need for routing any extra packets on the Gnutella network since you'd be directly connected to the person you wish to retrieve a file list from.

There... simple methods to implement the features requested without the need for central servers.

Community-building
 

This might be a bit off-topic, but I've just searched for "mp3", waited a bit, and sorted for the number of hosts. The result is, ..., I bet the suspense is killing you, ..., "Brandy - What about us.mp3". The number one song on my bit of the network! (I'm just downloading it coz I've never heard it). Hey, it's an instant Top of the Pops [chart show], and constantly changing! Any other suggestions for instant interactivity?!

Cancel that last post! I didn't like Brandy
 

Cancel that last post! I didn't like Brandy

Well, it is and open-source client, after all. Sooooo.....go for it!

Unfortunately, my C++ skills leave a lot to be desired. In other words, I'm extremely rusty. I probably couldn't remember how to code my way out of a paper bag using C++. :(

I really like both those ideas of adding in some kind of instant messageing and the ability to browse other people's files. In the good ol days of napster, you could see for example that someone was downloading some of your favourite mp3s. Seeing that, you could then start to chat with the guy who was downloading from you about those tunes (or that artist) and he/she might even recommend some other bands which sound similar which he/she also has. And then you could browse their files and find other cool stuff.

If you want to set this client apart from the others, I think these two features would definatly be the ones to do just that. As a developer myself, I dont really see any reason why this would need to be centralized to make it work. But there is the problem of getting the other gnutella vendors to implement those features too, and also decide on a standard. Or maybe the current gnutella protocal could be extended to incorperate these features.

Peace and love

while your at it...
 

could you include automated resumes for failed downloads or does a gnucleus clone have that yet?

It's C anyway so go for it. We are talking about adding code, not re-writing the whole thing.
I think if you want to chat or play games, run a separate chat program and let swabby worry about the network and other features.
And why would you want the RIAA to "chat" you with a e-mail notice to shut it down or be sued off the planet?

PLEASE STOP ASKING FOR THIS STUPID FEATURE !