Things you will need before we start:

CODE
DC++ http://dcplusplus.sourceforge.net/


Your Brain (some of you might have to dig it out and dust it off)

Note: This tutorial was written while using DC++ v0.241. Some things might change as versions progress

1. Installation

Ok, first, install the program. It should be awfully simple. There are 2 different types of installs: The Installer, and the Zip file. If you get the installer, simply run it and install DC++. If you get a zip, you'll have to create a program directory, and extract all the files in there. Then, for ease, place a shortcut to DCPlusPlus.exe on your Desktop or Start menu or wherever.

Then, double click DCPlusPlus.exe to start it up.

2. The First Thing You See
You'll be greeted with a window with all sorts of icons and windows and crap. Here is where I make sense of all this nonsense.

1. Public Hubs: This brings up the Public Hubs list, listing all the hubs that have registered (not all hubs have to register, there are likely to be hundreds not on the list. These are private hubs. DC++ used to host its own Hub lists, but due to bandwidth, it stopped. In order to receive the hub lists again, I suggest you go to
CODE
http://www.imperialnet.org
and sign up for their Public Hub list. I will tell you what to do with this later.

A Note about Hubs: Think of Hubs as P2P chat rooms. Connecting to a hub allows you to chat and download files from other users connected to that hub. It is completely decentralized, with downloads dependant upon the users, and not the hub. So if for any reason, a hub closes, your download will not be affected. Certain features, however, are dependant upon the hub, like searching and chatting.

2. Reconnect: This reconnects you to the hub you are currently connected to. If you are connected to multiple hubs, it will only reconnect to the one that is up front. Note that when you get disconnected from a hub, the program will automatically attempt to reconnect every 10 minutes or so. This button is so that you can force a reconnect, to reconnect earlier, or sometimes re-enter the hub for whatever reason.

3. Follow Last Redirect: Hub Operators have the ability to redirect any and all users. What the redirect function does, is it disconnects you from your current hub, and connects you to a different one. Redirects are often used when a hub you try to connect to is full, so the owner/op sends you to his friends hub. Redirects are also used to send you away if you do not share enough, or do not have enough open slots. I will talk more on Redirects, Shares, and Slots later.

4. Favorite Hubs: Think of this as your Favorites list in your Internet Browser. This brings up a window which stores all your Favorite Hubs. If you happen across a hub you really like and want to add it to your Favorites, the easiest way is to simply type /fav .

5. Download Queue: This displays your Download list. Files that you choose to download are displayed in this list. Along with information such as the User you are downloading from, the filesize, download status, download priority, and so-on.

6. Finished Downloads: This opens a window which displays all of your completed downloads. Note that the list is erased (but not your files) each time you close DC++.

7. Finished Uploads: Same as Finished Downloads, except, for Uploads. (The door swings both ways)

8. Search: This is what most of you will be using while connected to a Hub. Clicking this icon will bring up a search dialog, allowing you to select all kinds of variables to fine-tune your search. Keep in mind that sometimes, on slower hubs, searches might take some time. Don't be impatient, or you might not find what you are looking for.

Note on Searching: Many users make the mistake of entering a hub and asking in the chat if a anyone has a file. This is wrong. People will often times not respond, and if they do, they will suggest you use the search function.

9. ADL Search: Stands for Automatic Directory Listing. Using this function automatically lists files that you are looking for when you download a users filelist. This feature is very unreliable, and I do not recommend using it. It is not as effective as a regular search.

10. Settings: The takes you straight to the Settings window.

11. Notepad: DC++ has its own built in notepad where you can add snippets of information... a web address.. anything. Think of it as a little memo pad. Information is automatically saved once the notepad is closed.

12. Download Queue File Tree: This is the file tree for the download queue. Each time you open it, you must click your way to the directory you wish to save files to. It eventually leads to the default Download folder, and in my opinion, is nothing but a pain in the rear. You can toggle the use of the File tree by clicking the Check Mark below the field.

13. Download Queue Main: This is the main field where added downloads will appear.

14. Active Transfers: This area displays all of the running Downloads and Uploads. This is where you look to see what percentage a transfer is at, what speed it is downloading at, and any status it might be in.

15. Tabs: This area displays quick tabs of all open windows. Simply click a tab, and the window is brought to the front.

16. Status Bar: This displays various statistical information about your current DC++ session. It shows how many Slots are open/total. Your total bytes Downloaded and Uploaded. As well as the current Download/Upload speed, with the amount of Downloads and Uploads in Parenthesis. ( )


3. Configuring the Options

With a mild understanding of the icon bar, let's venture into the program options. Here I will further explain some of the finer things of Direct Connect.

General Tab

Personal Information

Nick (Required) : This is where you would type in your nickname. Think of this as your screenname. Pretty self-explanatory.
Email: Obviously, you could type your email in this field. You are not required to fill in this field, and many users do not. Chances are, if it's even filled in, it is not valid.
Description: Type in a description of the files you offer. If you plan upon sharing a bunch of games, type in Games, or something else easy to understand. Limit of 35 Characters.
Connection: Select the Speed of your Internet Connection. Do NOT Lie.

Connection Settings

Select the proper connection settings depending upon your connection. Here is some help:

Active: The usual connection mode, you can specify your IP if detection fails and a port of your choice if you need to. This mode will use a random port between 1025 and 32000 chosen anew on restart if you do not specify one.

Passive: Compatibility connection mode for users behind Firewalls they can't change to let DC++ connections through.
Only use this if Active is not working.

Note on Passive: A Passive user CANNOT connect or download to another Passive user.

Note on Routers: If you use a router, getting active mode to work can be a pain, but it is possible. First, discover your true IP by visiting /http://www.whatismyip.com. Take your IP address and paste it into the Active Mode IP Field. Then, set it to port 412 or 1412. Open your Router configuration and set the Router to forward TCP and UDP port 412 or 1412
(Thanks to Mannerheim, A.K.A. Pac-Girl, for the info)

Downloads Tab

Directories

Default Download Directory: This is where downloads will be placed by default.
Unfinished Downloads Directory: This is where files that have not yet completed will be temporarily stored. Once the file is complete, it will be moved to the Default Download Directory. This field is optional. If you leave it blank, all files are stored in the Default Download Directory.

Limits

Maximum Simultaneous Downloads: How many files you can be downloading at once. Set to 0 for No Limit.
Maximum Download Speed to Start New Downloads: Unfortunately, I don't understand what this setting affects. I simply leave it disabled. Sorry

Public Hubs List

Public Hubs List URL: Like I mentioned earlier. the list of public hubs the program retrieves is downloaded from a site. Here is where you specify the address. DC++ used to host the list, but has since stopped. I suggest you go to ttp://www.imperialnet.org and sign up for a personal public hub list. The link will be sent to you via email. You place the link in this field.
HTTP Proxy: If you wish to use a proxy when downloading the hub list.

Sharing Tab

Shared Directories

Here is where you specify what directories you want to share. 98% of Hubs on the Direct Connect network require you to share a certain amount of data. If you do not have at least 5gb or more or data to share, There is a good chance you will not get access to any hubs. Most good hubs require 10gb or more. Also, most hubs will kick you if you share certain files. These files include VOB files, WAV files, DLLs, and DATs. There are many other types of files hubs do not want you sharing. You might want to consult the hub rules when you enter, to make sure you are not sharing any of those files. Note that cannot share individual files, but only the folders that they are in.

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT share your Windows Directory, your Program Files directory, or any other installed application/games directories. These directories house files that are useless to other users on the hub, and may get you promptly kicked and banned on the hub.

Automatically Open an Extra Slot if Speed is Below __kB/s: By default, this is disabled. If for any reason, your total upload speed drops below the specified kB/s, the program will automatically open another slot.
Upload Slots: This field is very important. This sets how many files may be downloaded from you at once. If you have 3 slots open, and a user starts downloading from you, you will only have 2 slots open. Many hubs require you have a total of 3 slots open, plus 1 slot per additional hub you are connected to. So, if you are connected to 3 hubs, and each one requires 3 slots, plus 1 per hub. You would end up requiring a total of 5 slots to be open. 3 for the first hub, and then plus 2 for the 2 other hubs. You need only have slots available. In the event all the slots fill up with downloaders, you are not required to open more. Some hubs have limits as to how many slots you can have open, so don't crank it up really high.

Appearance Tab

Colors

Select Window Color: Simple. Click the button to select the window color, for your background text. Preview is displayed in the window.
Select Text Style: Click this button to choose the Text Font, Color, Size, and Style that will be used when displaying text.

Options

Full Row Select in Lists: When viewing File Lists, this will highlight the entire row, instead of just the filename. Simply a personal preference, and does not affect performance in any way.
Filter Kick and NMDC Debug Messages: This option chooses whether or not to display the Kick messages and other minor messages displayed by the Neo-Modus Direct Connect Client. I prefer to have this option off.
Minimize to Tray: DC++ will minimize to the system tray as an icon, instead of the Task Bar
Show Timestamps in Chat by Default: This will make all chat entries appear with the time they were posted in front of them.
Confirm Application Exit: Asks if you really want to close DC++ when you Exit.
View Status Messages in Main Chat: Whether or not to view Status messages in the chat, or in PM (Sometimes not at all)
Show Joins / Parts in Chat by Default: This displays when users join and leave the hub you are connected to. On large hubs, this can get annoying.
Use System Icons when Browsing files: When you browse a users files, this will use you own system icons to display certain files. This slows down the process a little, but you hardly notice it. If you turn this off, DC++ uses its own custom icons for files.
Set Finished Manager(s) Tab to Bold when an Entry is added: If you have the Finished Downloads/Uploads Windows open, this will make the tab display bold text when such a transfer is completed.

Default Away Message