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DCC2 Protocol for IRC file transfers

Joe_Hypnol writes "I just noticed this bit of news over at IRC Junkie. Looks like a bunch of irc client authors (and even more) are putting their heads together to come up with DCC2, a replacement for the the poorly designed DCC IRC file transfer specification. The old protocol was basically based on a usenet post, but this new one is looking like it'll be a full-blown standard. It's currently an IETF internet working draft. Read the press release at DCC2.org."

7 of 233 comments (clear)

  1. What's the best way to organize? by turnstyle · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Just curious: when a bunch of smart authors get together to hammer out a new protocol, what's the best way to come to a consensus? Mailing lists? Blog? Wiki?

    --
    Here's what I do: Bitty Browser & Andromeda
  2. Hmm... by Dark+Lord+Seth · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Why not kick in some p2p as well? If you're going to download a x00 mb file, then you might as well be a good neighbor and share some of that upstream bandwidth you've got there. And if p2p is not an option, why not just take a random OS FTP server, stuff it in an IRC client, let the initial connection go through the server and let browsing & data-transfer go through a direct connection.

    Seems to me that writing a file transfer protocol ( Where have I heard that before? ) would be like reinventing the wheel. I mean, it's useful, sure. It's also been around for ages, as well.

  3. Insightful AC post, film at 11 by metamatic · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Yeah, that was my thought too. It's very much a case of rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

    The IRC protocol is flawed. Not just superficially broken, but horribly, fundamentally broken in numerous ways. As a result it's unreliable (prone to network splits), puts massively unnecessary load on servers, has problems with contention for nicknames, and so on. It really needs complete replacement.

    Mind you, now that we have XMPP, there's a strong case for just letting IRC slowly die and having XMPP chat rooms take over.

    --
    GCHQ Quantum Insert installed. If only our tongues were made of glass, how much more careful we would be when we speak
  4. Re:PIrates rejoice by Felinoid · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Reminds me of..
    Boy Pretending To Be Girl: Wana see my pussy?
    Felinoid: No
    BPTBG: Come on..
    Felinoid: No
    BPTBG: Here it comes
    {DCC request rejected)
    Felinoid: I said NO!!!

    In case your wondering BPTBG was a known and we'd just had a heated debate. This was going to be a grose picture or a hack attempt.

    --
    I don't actually exist.
  5. Re:PIrates rejoice by Quattro+Vezina · · Score: 2, Interesting

    If I want to send a file, I am going to use a better method than DCC.

    Maybe the average Slashdotter will use something better, but the average non-techie will just hit mIRC's ``send file'' button.

    Back when I was really into IRC, DCC was used all the time.

    ``Hey, I wasn't here last night...anthing happen?''
    ``Here, let me send you my log''

    ``Whoa, I just found this really cool pic''
    ``Hey, can you send it to me?''

    Now, yeah, most of the fserves/bots are distributing pirated stuff (and even there, it's not all piracy). But there's just as much one-on-one DCC out there that's used for perfectly legit purposes.

    And DCC's not just a file transfer protocol--it's also a chat protocol, for private conversations not connected to the IRC network. If I want to chat with someone, and I want the chat to last longer than the IRC connection, I'll just start a DCC chat with them.

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    I support the Center for Consumer Freedom
  6. Re:Time has moved on by Garak · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Depends on what town you grew up in....

    My home town of 8000 people has to be the IRC capital of the world with 100's of people chating on IRC at anyone time. It started way back in 96 and the channel is still going strong today. Best of all its pretty damn stable, its been years since there has been a conflict. Back in the day I must admit to taking the town channel on several occations.

    IRC is still being used by chat by isolated groups.

    --
    God, root, what is the difference?
  7. Re:What? No encryption? by iamriley · · Score: 2, Interesting
    A least it can do, is allow encryption... I don't even see that in the spec....

    Probably because you didn't look hard enough.

    --Riley, dIRC developer, Algenta Technical Staff member

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