Get it at: http://www.apexdc.net
1.0. General Settings
After installation and executing the program for the first time, this
(or something very similar) will be the first menu you will be presented
with. This is also accessible under File>Settings.
Input your desired username in the name field, edit email or description at your own
discretion, select your line speed (if you know it, great, if not, don't worry about
what you pick), and I have "Show limiter" and "Show slots" unchecked, although
these are up to you.
[We’re getting a little ahead of ourselves, but if you must know “Show
limiter” lets others know you are using a client that has a limiter, and
“Show slots” lets people know how many slots you have. These will be
explained later on.]
1.1. Connection Settings
This is the first tricky part of DC++/ApexDC++, as it requires some
advanced knowledge. However, you may be lucky enough to entirely bypass
this step. If you have a modem/cable modem and aren’t behind a router,
you should be just fine with leaving your settings as you see in the
picture.
This will allow you to upload and download without a problem, and also
search every user in the hub. This is because if you are under ‘direct
connect’ you are active and the bottom option Firewall makes you
passive. What does this mean? If you’re active, you have the best of all
worlds and can download from everyone and can search everyone‘s file
lists in the whole hub. If you’re passive, you can still chat with
everyone but you can only download from active users and your search
function is severely limited. So obviously active is preferable.
If you are behind a router and you want to be active you must forward
your ports. This can be done by looking at your router, noting the
manufacturer of the router (D-Link, Linksys, etc.) and the router model
number. Continue onto http://www.portforward.com and search for your
router manufacturer and model, and follow the on-screen instructions as
to how to forward your ports.
1.2. Downloads
Configure where your files are going. I configure my completed and
incomplete downloads to go into two separate folders. I recommend this
as it allows you to differentiate more easily. Easy step.
1.2.1 Downloads - Queue
This little section configures how your downloads operate. I recommend
that you Disable Multi-source downloading if you’re going to try out
various hubs as this feature can get you banned as it tends to abuse
bandwidth a bit. I also recommend anti-fragmentation method for downloading.
1.3. SharingIn this section, you configure two things: the location of which files
you want to share with other users, and the number of slots you have.
Of course, you'll want to make sure you're sharing files that you can
legally share but also at the same time make sure you're not sharing
anything too personal or private that could embarrass you or get you
into trouble.
File transfers in DC++ are based on slots. Each file being transferred
takes up one slot. You need to open up a number of upload slots to gain
access to hubs. The minimum needed will depend on the number of hubs you
are connected to. Usually it is two slots per hub, though it will vary
from hub to hub. Set it to 2 for the moment and remember to adjust it as
you connect to more hubs.
As for configuring share files, you can individually add folders or just
make a general share folder and stick a bunch of other folders and files
in there. I tend to keep my share quite organized as it makes for
finding files easier for both myself and other users.
You can add files at any time while you have the program open, but theymust hash. Hashing is a process that the program does, giving each file
a TTH identification code. This helps DC++ distinguish files and allows
you to download the very same file from different people, assuming that
those files have the exact same TTH code. Another thing to note about
hashing files is that it takes some time and processing power, depending
on how much is being hashed. After files are done hashing, you should
refresh your file list by pressing Ctrl+E or going under File>Refresh
File List. You may have to do this two or three times just so that the
files may become visible to others. You can check to see if the files
are shared by going to File>Open own list.
1.4. Limiting
Limiting is a very important feature of ApexDC++. Without it, DC++ can
slow your internet browsing to a crawl if someone is downloading from you.
The settings use a formula in order to limit:
5 x (# of slots total) + 4= XX kB/s upload.
So if you have 2 slots total, as I do here… 5 x (2) + 4 = 14 kB/s upload,
ONLY when you are limiting. Otherwise, your upload will be maxed out if
possible to whatever rate your ISP allows. There is also a second
stipulation that your download speed can’t be more than 7 times the
amount you upload. Checks and balances, my friends, not that too many
people will have more than 50 kB/s upload anyway.
In this particular picture, I also included part of the toolbar on top.
The red colored circle with the white ‘50’ inside it. This is the
Limiting icon. Click this to switch limiting on and off. When it says
‘80’ that means you are not limiting. Simple enough, really.
2.0. Favorite Hubs and Connecting
Finally, this is the part where we will connect.
Press Ctrl+F or alternatively click View>Favorite Hubs. Click New. Here
you will see some fields and ultimately if you’ve done everything else
so far the only ones you need worry about are the ones under the ‘Hub’
top category. Name tells you what the name of the hub is, Address is the
address you must put in to connect to the hub, and Description is for
your own use to remind yourself what the hub is about.
After you’re done filling out those fields, you’ll see something like
this, and the little checks on the left are for ‘Auto connect,’ which
means every instance that you open ApexDC++ the program will
automatically load those hubs. All that’s left now is to select the hub
and press Connect!
The rest of the settings are merely optional or have to do with
aesthetics, so I’ll leave you to play with those on your own.
Author: Helmholz
Editor: Rabid Pancake
