User:Neustradamus/Retroshare Instant Messenger

RetroShare is a friend-to-friend protocol and software application developed in 2007 that features instant messaging, chat rooms & file browsing/sharing capabilities. RetroShare gives reliable identification and authentication of trusted friends (using RSA keys). It is a decentralised (serverless), open source, social sharing network designed for friends with no dependencies on any corporate server system.

Description
An introduction scheme to bootstrap to friends over a distributed hash table (DHT), which connects to the friends and facilitates network growth by easy connecting.

Because a direct connection is made with encryption, it is a fast and safe transfer of files.

It uses a modified version of OpenSSL, which is described in detail for its changes on the homepage of the application and by articles of modern computer magazines.

A communication platform which can potentially support services such as secure email to all of the friends, file sharing, video or VOIP.

RetroShare is not strictly friend-to-friend
The official FAQ states that "The friends of your peers also know of your existence, and can attempt to connect to you through the Auto-Discovery system.". This means that some people that you don't know can use RetroShare to get your IP address and use it to connect to your computer.

Strengths
Serverless Instant Messenger with Encryption.

Shortcomings
Video and Voip Chat feature.