Since this is a large community with ample of fast connections, this program would benifit you well, so I'll attempt to explain what it is, how to set it up, and how to enjoy the highest filesharing security on the web, bar none.
This is the description take from the WASTE home page.
WASTE is a software product and protocol that enables secure distributed communication for small (on the order of 10-50 nodes) trusted groups of users.
WASTE is designed to enable small companies and small teams within larger companies to easily communicate and collaborate in a secure and efficient fashion, independent of physical network topology.
Some bits of information about WASTE:
* WASTE is currently available for 32-bit Windows operating systems as a client and server, Mac OS X as a limited client and server, and as a limited functionality server for Linux, FreeBSD, Mac OS X, and Windows. Porting to other operating systems should be a breeze, as the source is provided (and the network code itself is pretty portable).
* WASTE is licensed under the GPL.
* WASTE currently provides the following services:
o Instant Messaging (with presence)
o Group Chat
o File browsing/searching
o File transfer (upload and download)
* Network architecture: WASTE uses a distributed architecture that allows for nodes to connect in a partial mesh type network. Nodes on the network can broadcast and route traffic. Nodes that are not publicly accessible or on slow links can choose not to route traffic. This network is built such that all services utilize the network, so firewall issues become moot. more information.
* Security: WASTE uses link-level encryption to secure links, and public keys for authentication. RSA is used for session key exchange and authentication, and the links are encrypted using Blowfish in PCBC mode. The automatic key distribution security model is very primitive at the moment, and may not lend itself well to some social situations. more information.
If you want to know about the WASTE security then please visit this page.
(there's a lot, let's just say it's secure.)
Ok, let's get down to the install bits.
First download the Client, You will be asked to generate a private key and asked what encryption level to use, pick what suits you. (Higher = slower sometimes but more secure.) Once you have your private key generated, you will need to export your public key, this can be done by going into prefs->private key -> copy my public key to the clipboard.
Now, if the higher ranking peeps with access to private area's on the forum setup a thread for public keys then you could paste it there, once you paste it there you need to add other peoples key. For example if my key was there you'd add my public key by copying it and then going to prefs -> public keys -> Add... . A dialog will pop up and there will be a text area to paste in the key, just paste it in, hit import, and vwalal you've added my key.
From there you go into network connections (the computer with the orange lightning bolt on it on client list) and then you'd connect to me be using my url (stevie.no-ip.org for rrefferance.) wait two seconds (or 20 depending how far away you are from me) and it should connect to me and then allow you into the network that I have access to.
So simple huh? ^__^
Now for the warnings: Do NOT allow people onto the network that you do not trust, once they are in it is VERY hard to remove them, unless you run a passworded network then you just change the password and don't tell them. But it would also be a good idea to get everyone on the network to remove the persons public key from their list, just for added saftey.
If you want to run a dumb server, then grab it here. I can't help you with installing though.
(Linux version also avalible for the server, but not client i'm afraid.)
Important: You Must open port 1337 (yeeeup, no mistake) for WASTE to use.
Have fun kiddies ^__^
Edit by James ~ New topic about Public keys so you don't need to keep posting them here: http://www.dxalpha.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3579
