The Hub

I get this message when I try to submit a username:

Thank you for applying, but unfortunately your application has been denied.  The hub is restricted to those who are living in the Residence Halls only and therefore have access to the ResNet network.

A: In order to register, please unsuppress your directory information to ensure that we can verify your place of residence:

1. Visit the One Stop home page and select Personal Information under the Quick Links sidebar.  You will need to sign in with your x500 to access the next page.

   

   
2. Select Directory Suppression from the menu near the top of the page.

   

   
3. Make sure that the first option Reset: Remove suppression has been selected and click Submit Changes at the bottom of the page.

   

   
4. Unsuppressing your personal information may take at least one business day. After this is complete, you will be able to find your residence hall address listed when performing a search on your name or Internet ID.

   

   

A: Turn off the wireless connection on your computer. The hub is not allowed on the University's wireless network.

I tried using the "Login" button at the top right of the page, but it's not working.

A:  That is not for you.  It is for us, the administrators.  Go to the Windows/Mac Setup pages, download and install a hub client conveniently listed for you at the right sidebar.  Follow the instructions that will tell you where to put your username and password.

I already installed the hub client, but now it won't let me connect.

A: You are most likely putting in the wrong password.  Please read the client screen carefully and check for the following message from Shaft whether you are in DC++ or ShakesPeer:

If you see this message, copy and paste the password from your email to where your client stores passwords (for Windows or Mac).  If typing it manually, be aware that passwords are case-sensitive.

Additionally, you may paste or type it in after you are connected and prompted for a password. In the chat bar, you type "/password [Your password here]" (without the quotes and with your password instead of "[Your password here]") to log in.

A: Send an email to password@umnp2p.com

A: Yes.  Detailed instructions are included under Automatically Connect in Windows Setup for DC++ and Mac Setup for ShakesPeer.

A: Once you are logged in, you may begin to search.  An example screenshot is provided below using DC++ v0.782:

The glowing green magnifying glass icon at the top is your gateway to wondrous things. (It doesn't really glow green, and ShakesPeer has a nice conspicuous search bar at the top.)  Using the chat to search for items is not a reliable method to get what you want.  Search intermittently, for users may log on and off at different times.

If your search turns up empty every time, refer to this question.

Search limits the number of files displayed for one user, so if that user has files related to what you want, check their file list for more.  Double-clicking on a user in the user list (depicted at the right in the screenshot) will have you download their file list, which you can browse.  If the connection times out and you still do not have a file list, or if you can't download items from searching, you will need to configure your firewall and/or client.  Refer to the next question.
 

I already know how to download using DC++ or ShakesPeer, but it won't let me download file lists or files.

A: There are two possible solutions:

1. When using a router, forward your ports and adjust settings on your client.  Help is available for DC++ at portforward.com.  Choose your router model and select DC++ as the program.

2. Otherwise, if your computer is directly connected to the wall, you will need to adjust settings on your computer:

• DC++ users should adjust settings for Windows Firewall from the Control Panel.  After choosing "Windows Firewall," choose "Allow program or feature through Windows Firewall" at the left sidebar.  Then, click "Change Settings" and scroll down to DC++.  If your ResNet connection is public, allow DC++ through public networks; do the same for private networks.  If you do not know which it is, enable both public and private networks.
 
• ShakesPeer users should check to see that both incomplete and download folders are set.  Make sure you are able to access the location and write to it.  You can set these locations under ShakesPeer > Preferences and by clicking the "Share" tab in the Preferences window.  Follow the instructions under Mac Setup > Software Setup > Share.

A: If searching doesn't bring any results, you may need to configure your firewall, or try changing some options on the search (include all file types).  You must wait about one minute between searches in order for your search to be processed. If the computer is connected directly to the ethernet jack in your wall, and no results show up, DC++ users should follow these instructions:

• Under File > Settings > Connection Settings, uncheck "Enable automatic incoming connection type detection," and choose "My computer is directly connected to the Internet (no router)," go to whatip.com, and copy your IP address into the box labeled "External / WAN IP" in the screenshot below.  Restart DC++, wait a few minutes, then try searching again.

A:  The setup guides for Windows and Mac include instructions to help you choose directories. Follow the directions to start sharing and uploading.  Click on your operating system above to go straight to the guide.

Q: What is sharing?

A: You pick folders on your computer and share them; files in those folders stay there, and people can download those files.  (This is what we call p2p sharing.)  Once the files are hashed, they will be available in your file list for download.  Your total share size (shown in the client and the user list) is how much you share.  Keep it above the minimum, and we will all be happy.

Folders you share will have all their subfolders and files shared as well.  They will be organized in the same manner.  You may choose to filter out hidden files/folders and certain file types in your shared directories although it is recommended that you keep all files you do not want to share out of those directories.

Q: Why do I have to share?

A: You should share because sharing is caring, and if you neglect us, you will be kicked and banned from using the hub for all eternity (or until we decide to forgive you).  We reserve the right to kick you as long as your shared size stays under the minimum.

Whenever I try to search or download anything, it gives me this message:

<Shaft> Active Search: Your ip isn't xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx but yyy.yyy.yyy.yyy bye bye.

A: If you are not using a router, you can go into your connection settings and leave the External IP box blank.  Your IP address may change each day, and you will have to update it to the correct one if you have a router. (Hint: Your IP address is here.)

A: Go to File -> Settings -> Appearance, and under "Colors and sounds" you will find options to change your window color and text style. For easier reading, choose a darker window color and/or a bigger font size. (I invert the window and font colors, i.e. black window color, white font.) Restart DC++ for the options to take effect.

A: During your time on the hub, you may encounter a problem where you downloaded somebody's file list too soon, and newer files do not show up in your copy of that file list.  To remedy this problem, follow these instructions:

1. Open a new finder window.
2. Make your way to the following path: Library > Application Support > ShakesPeer.
3. Delete files named "files.xml.[UMN]..." for whomever's file list you want to refresh.
4. Then browse that user's files again, and they should be renewed.

A: Most likely, there has been a miscommunication.  Either we did not write the instructions clearly enough, or you failed to follow the directions correctly.

If you have followed all the directions pertaining to downloading and searching, and still cannot do so, there is one last resort to help you download and search:

Under Connection Settings or Network Preferences, choose passive mode (as opposed to a direct connection or active mode).  This mode may limit your experience on the hub.  Your download speeds may not be optimal, and users in passive mode will not be able to connect to other users in passive mode.

After setting your client in passive mode, you should be able to search and download freely.  If not, try restarting your client.  If this still does not work, you are probably not connected to the hub, in which case, why are you reading this?

There are so many file types, and I do not know how to handle them.

A: Look for the answer elsewhere; try searching online.  Another place to look is inside the file list of the person you downloaded the file from.  That person may have a related guide on what to do with the file you just downloaded.

All users are responsible for the items they share on the hub.