FreenetWiki: First Timer's Handbook

Most recent edit on 2008-05-04 13:44:56 by ErmannoB [there's no section 3]

Additions:
This is referred to your node reference. First check to make sure that your myName doesn't say something like Node created around (number) if it does, please go to the Configuration page in your FProxy and change your node's name. (Note: Some consider this naming of the nodes as a potential security risk, thus it is suggested to re-name the node as soon as possible.)

Deletions:
This is referred to your node reference. First check to make sure that your myName doesn't say something like Node created around (number) if it does, please go back to step 3 in the last section. (Note: Some consider this naming of the nodes as a potential security risk, thus it is suggested to re-name the node as soon as possible.)

Edited on 2008-05-03 13:53:46 by ErmannoB [reorganized help section]

Additions:

Take a look at Documentation

There are many documents∞ that may help you.

Ask in the mailing lists

You can subscribe to one of several mailing lists∞ available. The "Support" one is the right one if you're looking for help.

How To Use IRC For Assistance

Deletions:

How To Use IRC For Assistance

Nice work! You should now be on your way to a solid connection base into the Freenet.

Edited on 2008-05-02 17:08:46 by ErmannoB [Reorganize the document... specially "connecting to the freenet"]

Additions:
In order to connect to the Freenet, you must first establish some connections to others who are already connected to the Freenet. Ideally, you already know someone connected to the Freenet, and you can connect to them (see the "How To Add Known Friends" section). However, for most this is not a reasonable assumption. If you do not know anyone already in the Freenet, you can connect via Opennet.
Please note that you can add Friends at any time, even if Opennet is enable. Your node will automatically connect to fewer strangers if it knows any friends. Your final goal should be to have many friends and no strangers (in the default configuration your node will connect to 20 peers. If you manage to add 20 friends, then your node will not connect to strangers anymore)

How to connect via Opennet

If during the installation, you chose not to enable Opennet, you can follow these instructions to turn it on.

How To Add Known Friends

You can add Friends at any time. Go out and find some! :-)

Deletions:
In order to connect to the Freenet, you must first establish some connections to others who are already connected to the Freenet. Ideally, you already know someone connected to the Freenet, and you can connect to them (see the "How To Add Known Friends" section). However, for most this is not a reasonable assumption. If you do not know anyone already in the Freenet, just follow these instructions on how to get connected via Opennet.

Now if you know other Freenet users in person, scroll down to apply, and after you see the confirmation message, look at the "How To Add Known Friends" Section Below. Otherwise you will have to enable Opennet to use Freenet.

How To Add Known Friends

Edited on 2008-05-02 15:57:11 by ErmannoB [removed the "last update on ..." at the top of the page]

Deletions:
This page was last updated January 09, 2008.

Edited on 2008-05-02 15:55:15 by ErmannoB [removed the stuff about exchanging noderefs through IRC. now there's the opennet, baby!]

Additions:
1) Paste it in a new email and send it (possibly encrypted) to a friend. Tell your friend to do the same with you.

When you receive a reference from your friend, go to the Friends page and paste the reference in to the box at the bottom.

Note that both you and your friend have to add each other's reference to the node. Otherwise the connection between you and your friend will not work.

Deletions:
1) Open another instance of your browser. Go to http://dark-code.bulix.org/ - Bulix.org Pastebin∞ and paste your reference in to that. Make sure the private box is checked, as you don't want the whole free world knowing your reference.

After you submit your reference, you will see the link http://dark-code.bulix.org/XXXXX-num∞ at the top. It is vitally important that you add ?raw to the end of this. This is out of courtesy for other users. Now copy the full link with the ?raw at the end into your clipboard. If you notice at the bottom of the page, you will see other people's pastes. Its not a good idea to add these to your node even if they said "added 10 below will add 5 above" (or something to this nature). People paste their references to bulix.org and never come back. If you add these refs, you will see Never Connected (see below), too many disconnected and never connected references will slow your node down and mess up the routing for everyone. It also is a BIG safety hazard if you add these people, you never know who pasted his ref there (maybe CIA, KGB, BND or worse). My advice, paste your ref, copy your ref's link, and then give it to your friends.
When you receive a reference from your friend, go to the Friends page and paste the reference in to the box at the bottom. Make sure they receive your reference in return.

Edited on 2008-05-02 15:39:59 by ErmannoB [added a warning at the top of the page. Seems to me that instructions on download page are much clea]

Additions:
Warning: Please see instructions in the download page∞ before reading on, because instructions on this page could be outdated.

Edited on 2008-05-02 15:19:36 by ErmannoB [note to send the reader to the right section]

Additions:
In order to connect to the Freenet, you must first establish some connections to others who are already connected to the Freenet. Ideally, you already know someone connected to the Freenet, and you can connect to them (see the "How To Add Known Friends" section). However, for most this is not a reasonable assumption. If you do not know anyone already in the Freenet, just follow these instructions on how to get connected via Opennet.

Deletions:
In order to connect to the Freenet, you must first establish some connections to others who are already connected to the Freenet. Ideally, you already know someone connected to the Freenet, and you can connect to them. However, for most this is not a reasonable assumption. If you do not know anyone already in the Freenet, just follow these instructions on how to get connected via Opennet.

Edited on 2008-01-30 12:58:57 by MatthewToseland [bogus capitalisation]

Additions:
1) Once you see the confirmation message, click on Home on the side panel.

Deletions:
1) Once you see the confirmation Message, click on Home on the side panel.

Edited on 2008-01-30 12:58:36 by MatthewToseland [it can't be set higher than 20]

Deletions:
1) Make sure the "Maximum number of Opennet Peers" is no higher than 20 (if this option is not visible, then just ignore it).

Edited on 2008-01-30 12:58:00 by MatthewToseland [doh]

Additions:
1) Click on Configuration to open the configuration page.
In the configuration page, look for "NODE.OPENNET"

Deletions:
1) Still in the configuration page, look for "NODE.OPENNET"

Edited on 2008-01-30 12:56:57 by MatthewToseland [don't need to set node name here]

Deletions:
1) Click on the Configuration link on the side panel.
The only thing you need to immediately set right now is your node name. Scroll down and enter in a name for your node in the box titled Nickname for this Freenet node.

Edited on 2008-01-21 02:27:06 by MichaelTaenzer [Adding refs from bulix.org is also a safety hazard]

Additions:
1) After you submit your reference, you will see the link http://dark-code.bulix.org/XXXXX-num∞ at the top. It is vitally important that you add ?raw to the end of this. This is out of courtesy for other users. Now copy the full link with the ?raw at the end into your clipboard. If you notice at the bottom of the page, you will see other people's pastes. Its not a good idea to add these to your node even if they said "added 10 below will add 5 above" (or something to this nature). People paste their references to bulix.org and never come back. If you add these refs, you will see Never Connected (see below), too many disconnected and never connected references will slow your node down and mess up the routing for everyone. It also is a BIG safety hazard if you add these people, you never know who pasted his ref there (maybe CIA, KGB, BND or worse). My advice, paste your ref, copy your ref's link, and then give it to your friends.

Deletions:
1) After you submit your reference, you will see the link http://dark-code.bulix.org/XXXXX-num∞ at the top. It is vitally important that you add ?raw to the end of this. This is out of courtesy for other users. Now copy the full link with the ?raw at the end into your clipboard. If you notice at the bottom of the page, you will see other people's pastes. Its not a good idea to add these to your node even if they said "added 10 below will add 5 above" (or something to this nature). People paste their references to bulix.org and never come back. If you add these refs, you will see Never Connected (see below), too many disconnected and never connected references will slow your node down and mess up the routing for everyone. My advice, paste your ref, copy your ref's link, and then give it to your friends.

Edited on 2008-01-21 01:29:38 by MichaelTaenzer [Changed the step with the seednodes.fref once again]

Additions:
1) If a message is shown on the node's homepage, that no seednodes.fref file has been found, you will have to download it from http://downloads.freenetproject.org/alpha/opennet/seednodes.fref∞. Download this to your Freenet directory (right click on the link --> Save target to...").

Deletions:
1) If a message is shown on the node's homepage, that no seednodes.fref file has been found, you will have to download it from http://downloads.freenetproject.org/alpha/opennet/seednodes.fref∞. Download this to your Freenet directory.

Edited on 2008-01-21 01:02:23 by MichaelTaenzer [Changed the step with the seednodes.fref]

Additions:
1) If a message is shown on the node's homepage, that no seednodes.fref file has been found, you will have to download it from http://downloads.freenetproject.org/alpha/opennet/seednodes.fref∞. Download this to your Freenet directory.

Deletions:
1) If you do not start to receive Opennet peers (found in your strangers list,) you will have to download the seednodes file from http://downloads.freenetproject.org/alpha/opennet/seednodes.fref∞. Download this to your Freenet directory.

Edited on 2008-01-21 00:50:18 by MichaelTaenzer [Added note about "Maximum number of Opennet Peers"]

Additions:
1) Make sure the "Maximum number of Opennet Peers" is no higher than 20 (if this option is not visible, then just ignore it).

Deletions:
1) Make sure the "Maximum number of Opennet Peers" is no higher than 20.

Edited on 2008-01-21 00:41:22 by MichaelTaenzer [Typo]

Additions:
1) Now if you know other Freenet users in person, scroll down to apply, and after you see the confirmation message, look at the "How To Add Known Friends" Section Below. Otherwise you will have to enable Opennet to use Freenet.

Deletions:
1) Now if you know other Freenet users in person, scroll down to apply, and after you see the confirmation message, look at the "How To Add Known Friends" Section Below." Otherwise you will have to enable Opennet to use Freenet.

Edited on 2008-01-13 04:36:23 by MichaelTaenzer [We want new users to use Opennet not IRC]

Additions:
In order to connect to the Freenet, you must first establish some connections to others who are already connected to the Freenet. Ideally, you already know someone connected to the Freenet, and you can connect to them. However, for most this is not a reasonable assumption. If you do not know anyone already in the Freenet, just follow these instructions on how to get connected via Opennet.

Deletions:
In order to connect to the Freenet, you must first establish some connections to others who are already connected to the Freenet. Ideally, you already know someone connected to the Freenet, and you can connect to them. However, for most this is not a reasonable assumption. If you do not know anyone already in the Freenet, just follow these instructions on how to get connections through IRC.

Edited on 2008-01-09 20:08:35 by Imcensored1 [Updated to reflect opennet and the new IRC Chan #freenet-newbie]

Additions:
This page was last updated January 09, 2008.
The only thing you need to immediately set right now is your node name. Scroll down and enter in a name for your node in the box titled Nickname for this Freenet node.
Now if you know other Freenet users in person, scroll down to apply, and after you see the confirmation message, look at the "How To Add Known Friends" Section Below." Otherwise you will have to enable Opennet to use Freenet.
Still in the configuration page, look for "NODE.OPENNET"
Set "Insecure Mode" to True
Make sure the "Maximum number of Opennet Peers" is no higher than 20.
Now scroll down to the bottom and hit apply.
Once you see the confirmation Message, click on Home on the side panel.
If you do not start to receive Opennet peers (found in your strangers list,) you will have to download the seednodes file from http://downloads.freenetproject.org/alpha/opennet/seednodes.fref∞. Download this to your Freenet directory.

How To Add Known Friends

Click on Friends on the side panel. This is referred to your node reference. First check to make sure that your myName doesn't say something like Node created around (number) if it does, please go back to step 3 in the last section. (Note: Some consider this naming of the nodes as a potential security risk, thus it is suggested to re-name the node as soon as possible.)
After you submit your reference, you will see the link http://dark-code.bulix.org/XXXXX-num∞ at the top. It is vitally important that you add ?raw to the end of this. This is out of courtesy for other users. Now copy the full link with the ?raw at the end into your clipboard. If you notice at the bottom of the page, you will see other people's pastes. Its not a good idea to add these to your node even if they said "added 10 below will add 5 above" (or something to this nature). People paste their references to bulix.org and never come back. If you add these refs, you will see Never Connected (see below), too many disconnected and never connected references will slow your node down and mess up the routing for everyone. My advice, paste your ref, copy your ref's link, and then give it to your friends.
When you receive a reference from your friend, go to the Friends page and paste the reference in to the box at the bottom. Make sure they receive your reference in return.

How To Use IRC For Assistance

1) If you are not already in IRC, please log in. (Windows users: a good client to download is mIRC∞).

Now you want to join #freenet-Newbie. This channel is for newbie assistance. Freenethelpbot will provide assistance where available, and other freenet users usually sit in there and provide assistance as well, when they are at their terminals. If you cannot get immediate assistance in #freenet-newbie and with none of the help documents provided, then you can join #freenet and ask there. Please note that usually between the hours of 2 AM - 10 AM GMT (or 9 PM - 5 AM United States Eastern Time), less people are active on IRC, and assistance may not be immediate. Stick around or check back with us, thanks.

If at anytime you need to see the listings for any of the help pages, in #freenet-newbie type !freenethelp and you will get a list of all the help pages.
If a connection you have made to someone else never changes from Never Connected, first make sure that the person has also added your reference. Freenet requires both ends of a connection to have a copy of the other person's node reference, thus if you never gave your friends your reference than they cannot connect to you. It is also likely that your friend you added to your reference list never added you to their reference list. This is why it is important to get verification that your friends has added you, when you add them.
If you are sure that your friend you added has also added you, (or if you are using Opennet and see many Never Connected peers, you may be behind a NAT Router. To make a long story short if you are behind a NAT Router, you can connect to most people but not everyone (usually if both people are using NAT). This limitation is currently trying to be overcome in development. For now, you can try to forward the ports Freenet uses in your router, and going in to the configuration page, and under NODE and under NODE.OPENNET, set "Assume the port is not Forwarded" to true in both places.
Try going to the #freenet-newbie channel on irc.freenode.com and ask for help. You can also try looking for help on this Wiki.

Deletions:
1) The only thing you need to immediately set right now is your node name. Scroll down and enter in a name for your node in the box titled Nickname for this Freenet node. Click apply at the bottom.

Once you see the confirmation message, click on Friends on the side panel. This is referred to your node reference. First check to make sure that your myName doesn't say something like Node created around (number) if it does, please go back to step 3. (Note: Some consider this naming of the nodes as a potential security risk, thus it is suggested to re-name the node as soon as possible.)
After you submit your reference, you will see the link http://dark-code.bulix.org/XXXXX-num∞ at the top. It is vitally important that you add ?raw to the end of this. This is out of courtesy for other users. Now copy the full link with the ?raw at the end into your clipboard. If you notice at the bottom of the page, you will see other people's pastes. Its not a good idea to add these to your node even if they said "added 10 below will add 5 above" (or something to this nature). People paste their references to bulix.org and never come back. If you add these refs, you will see Never Connected (see below), too many disconnected and never connected references will slow your node down and mess up the routing for everyone. My advice, paste your ref, copy your ref's link, and then log on to IRC.
If you are not already in IRC, please log in. (Windows users: a good client to download is mIRC∞).
At this step, before seednodes were implemented, you would be directed to join an IRC channel created for Strangers to be able to exchange node references. Since this is no longer needed, you might consider joining the #freenet channel with /join #freenet to get support if you are having trouble connecting to Strangers (people you don't know) or Friends (people you know and, ideally, trust).

If at anytime you need to see the listings for any of the help pages, in #freenet-refs type !freenethelp and you will get a list of all the help pages.
If a connection you have made to someone else never changes from Never Connected, first make sure that the person has also added your reference. Freenet requires both ends of a connection to have a copy of the other person's node reference, thus if you never gave anyone your reference than they cannot connect to you. It is also likely that the person you added to your reference list never added you to their reference list. This is why it is important to get verification that a person has added you, when you add them.
If you are sure that the person you added has also added you, than you may be behind a NAT Router. To make a long story short if you are behind a NAT Router, you can connect to most people but not everyone (usually if both people are using NAT). This limitation is currently trying to be overcome in development. For now, you can try to forward the ports Freenet uses in your router, or just try to get some different references.
Try going to the #freenet channel on irc.freenode.com and ask for help. You can also try looking for help on this Wiki.

Edited on 2007-12-19 18:57:52 by ZothaR [Remove reference to #freenet-refs]

Additions:
1) At this step, before seednodes were implemented, you would be directed to join an IRC channel created for Strangers to be able to exchange node references. Since this is no longer needed, you might consider joining the #freenet channel with /join #freenet to get support if you are having trouble connecting to Strangers (people you don't know) or Friends (people you know and, ideally, trust).
Nice work! You should now be on your way to a solid connection base into the Freenet.

Deletions:
1) Join the channel #freenet-refs
/join #freenet-refs

Politely ask in the channel Is anyone exchanging Refs? then paste your link to http://dark-code.bulix.org∞ with your reference in it.
Now, you must wait for someone to also give their references to you. When someone else gives you their reference. Verify that the link they give you ends in ?raw, then open up the Darknet page again. Go down to where it asks Enter the URL of the reference here: in the Add Another Peer section. Paste in the other person's ref link there, and hit Add.
On the immediate return to the Friends page the peer (the person you are connecting to) will say Never Connected. Verify in IRC that they have added you, and let them know that you added them. Within a few minutes it should say connected. Congratulations, you have just successfully connected to your first peer.
Now you want to get more references. Ideally, you want at least 3 established connections and no more than 20 because it will slow your node and mess up the network's routing.
You will also notice in IRC the presents of bots. People set them up to exchange refs. With the exception of FreenetHelpBot look for user with names ending in _bot. For example if a bot was named IMCensored1_bot, to add this bot you would type:

/msg IMCensored1_bot addref http://dark-code.bulix.org/myref-12345?raw∞
The bot will connect you and give you its reference. Add it like you would a regular person. There you are connected!!!
Nice work! You should now have a solid connection base into the Freenet.

Oldest known version of this page was edited on 2007-12-19 18:52:41 by ZothaR []

Page view:

First Timer's Handbook

Welcome to the First Timer's Handbook. This page was created to reduce flood on IRC and to educate YOU, the newest Freenet user.

First of all, if you successfully navigated to this page, you have what it takes to run a Freenet node. It isn't as challenging as it looks.

Connecting to the Freenet

In order to connect to the Freenet, you must first establish some connections to others who are already connected to the Freenet. Ideally, you already know someone connected to the Freenet, and you can connect to them. However, for most this is not a reasonable assumption. If you do not know anyone already in the Freenet, just follow these instructions on how to get connections through IRC.

Open up your web-browser. (Note: It is best not to use Microsoft Internet Explorer with Freenet due to security issues. One alternative, if you do not already have it, is have Mozilla Firefox∞.)
Go to http://localhost:8888∞ . If you see Freenet FProxy Homepage of ....., then your Node is up and operational. If not, then either your node is not running, it is still loading, or something else is happening. See the Help section below.
Click on the Configuration link on the side panel.
The only thing you need to immediately set right now is your node name. Scroll down and enter in a name for your node in the box titled Nickname for this Freenet node. Click apply at the bottom.
Once you see the confirmation message, click on Friends on the side panel.
At the bottom of this page you will see a box that says My Reference. It will contain text similar to this:
```
lastGoodVersion=Fred,0.7,1.0,990
sig=02d3d821ce08a552c28c0b09672a16ac1c318ebd963b82001dd9fd5b4d7ed8df,009cccd9f18002d3
myName=IMCensored1
location=0.9342173270717867
testnet=false
version=Fred,0.7,1.0,997
a
few
more
lines
here
End
```
This is referred to your node reference. First check to make sure that your myName doesn't say something like Node created around (number) if it does, please go back to step 3. (Note: Some consider this naming of the nodes as a potential security risk, thus it is suggested to re-name the node as soon as possible.)
Copy the entire node reference in to your clipboard.
Open another instance of your browser. Go to http://dark-code.bulix.org/ - Bulix.org Pastebin∞ and paste your reference in to that. Make sure the private box is checked, as you don't want the whole free world knowing your reference.
After you submit your reference, you will see the link http://dark-code.bulix.org/XXXXX-num∞ at the top. It is vitally important that you add ?raw to the end of this. This is out of courtesy for other users. Now copy the full link with the ?raw at the end into your clipboard. If you notice at the bottom of the page, you will see other people's pastes. Its not a good idea to add these to your node even if they said "added 10 below will add 5 above" (or something to this nature). People paste their references to bulix.org and never come back. If you add these refs, you will see Never Connected (see below), too many disconnected and never connected references will slow your node down and mess up the routing for everyone. My advice, paste your ref, copy your ref's link, and then log on to IRC.
If you are not already in IRC, please log in. (Windows users: a good client to download is mIRC∞).
```
/connect irc.freenode.net 6667
```
Freenode IRC network does not allow private messages to be sent unless you have a registered nickname. To register a nickname, type /msg nickserv register password. If the nick name is taken, you will have to choose another. Subsequently, every time you reconnect to Freenode, you can type /msg nickserv identify password to login in to your nickname. If you ever plan to stop using IRC for good, type /msg nickserv drop your username your password to remove your account information.
Join the channel #freenet-refs
```
/join #freenet-refs
```
Politely ask in the channel Is anyone exchanging Refs? then paste your link to http://dark-code.bulix.org∞ with your reference in it.
Now, you must wait for someone to also give their references to you. When someone else gives you their reference. Verify that the link they give you ends in ?raw, then open up the Darknet page again. Go down to where it asks Enter the URL of the reference here: in the Add Another Peer section. Paste in the other person's ref link there, and hit Add.
On the immediate return to the Friends page the peer (the person you are connecting to) will say Never Connected. Verify in IRC that they have added you, and let them know that you added them. Within a few minutes it should say connected. Congratulations, you have just successfully connected to your first peer.
Now you want to get more references. Ideally, you want at least 3 established connections and no more than 20 because it will slow your node and mess up the network's routing.
You will also notice in IRC the presents of bots. People set them up to exchange refs. With the exception of FreenetHelpBot look for user with names ending in _bot. For example if a bot was named IMCensored1_bot, to add this bot you would type:

/msg IMCensored1_bot addref http://dark-code.bulix.org/myref-12345?raw

The bot will connect you and give you its reference. Add it like you would a regular person. There you are connected!!!

Nice work! You should now have a solid connection base into the Freenet.

I'm Connected, what can I do?

Now that you are actually connected to the Freenet, you are probably anxious to start browsing around. At first you will notice that pages load a little bit on the slow side. Your node is new to the network and your peers are routing data in to your wide open data stores. After a day or two, your cache/data stores will be built, and Freenet will move much faster. Please don't get initially discouraged!!

There are a few different ways to interact with Freenet.

Browse Freesites - These are the websites that are contained within the Freenet. The easiest way to find them is by using the Indexes included in the bookmarks (on the main page of your node, http://localhost:8888∞ ).
Frost - A message board and file-sharing application for Freenet (bundled in the Freenet installer).
Freemail - An email program that sends mail through Freenet

Another thing you may want to do is join #freenet in IRC. This is the channel for the general Freenet discussion. While your at it, join #freenet-chat... This is an off topic channel. Its a good way to get to know some of your fellow Freeneters.

Help

If at anytime you need to see the listings for any of the help pages, in #freenet-refs type !freenethelp and you will get a list of all the help pages.

A connection I made always stays at Never Connected!

If a connection you have made to someone else never changes from Never Connected, first make sure that the person has also added your reference. Freenet requires both ends of a connection to have a copy of the other person's node reference, thus if you never gave anyone your reference than they cannot connect to you. It is also likely that the person you added to your reference list never added you to their reference list. This is why it is important to get verification that a person has added you, when you add them.

If you are sure that the person you added has also added you, than you may be behind a NAT Router. To make a long story short if you are behind a NAT Router, you can connect to most people but not everyone (usually if both people are using NAT). This limitation is currently trying to be overcome in development. For now, you can try to forward the ports Freenet uses in your router, or just try to get some different references.

I'm lost!

Try going to the #freenet channel on irc.freenode.com and ask for help. You can also try looking for help on this Wiki.