What is the state of RetroShare Development?

RetroShare is becoming stable with version 0.3.0 arriving. This version brings the new Qt4.0 GUI to the fore.


This code is however still under development with some signicant features to be added soon!. If you want to help with the development, let us know. RetroShare can provide a opportunity to cut your teeth on an exciting new file-sharing technology.

Collaboration with other open - source projects and developers, is the primary focus at the moment.

If you think your project could benefit from a robust p2p networking base, with Web-Of-Trust Authentication and udp (firewall by-pass) sockets.

Games - Developers.

Office Networking.

File Sharing

contact us (retroshare@lunamutt.com)

What systems/libraries are required to compile it?

RetroShare is written in C++, and compiles reasonably cleanly under gcc on Linux or Windows. The program requires the following libraries:

What the current areas of development?

My personal short-term goals in the development of Retroshare involve:

  • Channel System, similar to that provided Konspire.

    I was very impressed with the concepts behind Konspire, and was disappointed when it never took off. The implementation inside RetroShare provide similar functionality from a different slant, This work will attempt to take full advantage of the RetroShare network structure to ensure that only the *good content* (completely subjective, of course) is shared.

Can I help? What needs doing?

Yes you can help. Are you suited to any of the tasks listed below. Want to contribute to a cutting edge file-sharing technology.

  • Web Designers.

    As you can see, Web design is not my forte. I've got too many other projects on to work on. This website will remain functional but limited unless someone steps in to help.

  • Network Testers.

    RetroShare has been tested to the best of my ability. This has been limited to scenarios that I can generate with a couple of computers on a local network. At one point I tried to get Honeyd to provide a Virtual Network Topology. While this could have/should have worked in theory, I ran into a whole series of errors and bugs. Basically Honeyd is only designed to receive connections, and had trouble making outgoing connections. I thought that this shouldn't be too hard to fix - and create a complete Virtual Network Simulator ... My inquiries at the Honeyd discussion forum were met with complete silence, and so I gave up in disgust.

    Anyone who is interested in modifying Honeyd to allow it to function as a virtual network, would my best friend for life.

    Alternatively if you know of another Network Simulator, or could test RetroShare over a bigger network... please get in contact.

  • Software Developers.

    RetroShare has so much potential. This ideas and concepts are there, all that is really required is Developers willing help out. Please contact me if you are interested. and see below.

What areas need development help?

  • Help me with the areas listed above:
    • A Channel System.
  • Addition of Streaming:
    • using a streaming encryption format, as found in the development branch of OpenSSL.
  • Plugin API for alternative Uses of the private network.
  • Combining RetroShare with other software.
    RetroShare can be used as a library to provide sharing resources. This could be incorporated into any other (LGPL - or Free-er) software package.

  • Any other improvements / enhancements that you can think of.