File Details |
|
| File Size | 0.2 MB |
|---|---|
| License | Freeware |
| Operating System | Windows 2000/9x/Server 2003/XP |
| Date Added | March 9, 2008 |
| Total Downloads | 39,261 |
| Publisher | WASTE Development Team |
| Homepage | WASTE Unofficial |
Publisher's Description
WASTE is a software product and protocol from Nullsoft that enables secure distributed communication for small (on the order of 10-50 nodes) trusted groups of users. It is designed to enable small companies and small teams within larger companies to easily communicate and collaborate in a secure and efficient fashion, independent of physical network topology.
WASTE currently provides the following services: Instant Messaging (with presence); Group Chat; File browsing/searching; File transfer (upload and download). It uses link-level encryption to secure links, and public keys for authentication. This network is built such that all services utilize the network, so firewall issues become moot. It is licensed under the GPL.
Note: This is an unofficial update of Nullsoft's original WASTE release.
Latest Reviews
Prospero424 reviewed v1.7.3.427 on Mar 16, 2008
Changes:
- Fixed: add_chatline bug introduced in build 425 caused crash at presence change.
- Added: Run perform whenever connecting to the internet preference
BTW, this is actually the project "WASTE Again" on Sourceforge. It's another fork, but at least progress is being made. The official client has long since been abandoned.
Prospero424 reviewed v1.5.1.421 on Mar 1, 2008
Rating this low because the program's fans annoy you is even worse than what you're accusing them of.
Anyway, the name Waste comes from the Thomas Pynchon novel "The Crying of Lot 49", which describes an underground postal network:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crying_of_Lot_49
This is a fantastic, secure, very lightweight program that provides more functionality than a simple VPN does by itself. It's fast, reliable, intuitive (drag-and-drop interface for data transfers, etc.) open, and secure.
My only complain is the way it handles encryption keys, which can be a bit confusing to some and seems inconsistent at times. If there was one thing I'd like to see in the newer unofficial builds it would be a better, more consistent interface for handling various public keys.
If you're used to using open encryption programs like GPG, you shouldn't have a problem.
truman reviewed v1.5 Beta 3 on Sep 16, 2005
I am giving it a rating of 2. The one and only reason for a low rating is to counter all the hype Waste is getting from its paranoid, but otherwise crypto-illiterate userbase.
Using longer keys does not automatically mean stronger security and it does not compensate for a handful of gaping holes in a design of its core protocol. Use extreme caution when relying on Waste as a mean to secure your communications, or better yet stick to standard VPNs. After all VPNs are standard for a reason.
Other than this Waste is a good application deserving solid 4 on both quality and usability scales.
pureluck82 reviewed v1.5 Beta 3 on Aug 2, 2005
The review is accurate. If you want to have secure and decentralized file sharing among a small group of trusted computers, this is an excellent solution. The name waste comes from the over user of bandwidth to guarantee connectivity among users in the network, even if a direct connection between two nodes is not possible, so an intermediary node is used. This uses more bandwidth. All communication & file transfers are encrypted using public and private keys similar to RSA. This is a amazing software. Unfortunately, the company that that owns Null Soft quickly shut down the project. The project is open source and future releases will be unofficial.
ecjs reviewed v1.5 Beta 3 on Jul 6, 2005
Funny.
Nikkie reviewed v1.5 Beta 3 on Mar 10, 2005
I really can't figure this out . What in the world does this thing do ?
omata reviewed v1.5 Beta 3 on Feb 5, 2005
Do this program the same thing that hamachi do??
GeneralLeoFF reviewed v1.4 Alpha 3 on Apr 19, 2004
ass kiss review
jarek99 reviewed v1.4 Alpha 2 on Feb 7, 2004
wow, look at all the a** kissing...
sinesolis reviewed v1.4 Alpha 2 on Feb 7, 2004
um...can we get a screenshot PLEASE!
Prospero424 reviewed v1.7.3.427 on Mar 16, 2008
Changes:
- Fixed: add_chatline bug introduced in build 425 caused crash at presence change.
- Added: Run perform whenever connecting to the internet preference
BTW, this is actually the project "WASTE Again" on Sourceforge. It's another fork, but at least progress is being made. The official client has long since been abandoned.
Prospero424 reviewed v1.5.1.421 on Mar 1, 2008
Rating this low because the program's fans annoy you is even worse than what you're accusing them of.
Anyway, the name Waste comes from the Thomas Pynchon novel "The Crying of Lot 49", which describes an underground postal network:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crying_of_Lot_49
This is a fantastic, secure, very lightweight program that provides more functionality than a simple VPN does by itself. It's fast, reliable, intuitive (drag-and-drop interface for data transfers, etc.) open, and secure.
My only complain is the way it handles encryption keys, which can be a bit confusing to some and seems inconsistent at times. If there was one thing I'd like to see in the newer unofficial builds it would be a better, more consistent interface for handling various public keys.
If you're used to using open encryption programs like GPG, you shouldn't have a problem.
truman reviewed v1.5 Beta 3 on Sep 16, 2005
I am giving it a rating of 2. The one and only reason for a low rating is to counter all the hype Waste is getting from its paranoid, but otherwise crypto-illiterate userbase.
Using longer keys does not automatically mean stronger security and it does not compensate for a handful of gaping holes in a design of its core protocol. Use extreme caution when relying on Waste as a mean to secure your communications, or better yet stick to standard VPNs. After all VPNs are standard for a reason.
Other than this Waste is a good application deserving solid 4 on both quality and usability scales.
pureluck82 reviewed v1.5 Beta 3 on Aug 2, 2005
The review is accurate. If you want to have secure and decentralized file sharing among a small group of trusted computers, this is an excellent solution. The name waste comes from the over user of bandwidth to guarantee connectivity among users in the network, even if a direct connection between two nodes is not possible, so an intermediary node is used. This uses more bandwidth. All communication & file transfers are encrypted using public and private keys similar to RSA. This is a amazing software. Unfortunately, the company that that owns Null Soft quickly shut down the project. The project is open source and future releases will be unofficial.
ecjs reviewed v1.5 Beta 3 on Jul 6, 2005
Funny.
Nikkie reviewed v1.5 Beta 3 on Mar 10, 2005
I really can't figure this out . What in the world does this thing do ?
omata reviewed v1.5 Beta 3 on Feb 5, 2005
Do this program the same thing that hamachi do??
GeneralLeoFF reviewed v1.4 Alpha 3 on Apr 19, 2004
ass kiss review
jarek99 reviewed v1.4 Alpha 2 on Feb 7, 2004
wow, look at all the a** kissing...
sinesolis reviewed v1.4 Alpha 2 on Feb 7, 2004
um...can we get a screenshot PLEASE!
sector reviewed v1.4 Alpha 1 on Jan 16, 2004
As a contributor to this program, I must agree with do0d that minor changes are a good way to become familiar with the inner-workings of this project. Someone relatively new to any project probably should not make major changes, especially when releasing an alpha version until one is ready. Furthermore, I have worked with do0d on this project and others and know that his ambition is fervent. I rely upon group chat regularly to securely discuss business matters and consider it very valuable to differentiate between users. It is hardly a "kiddie option". For what it's worth, we have a significant amount of time invested in making bug fixes. Nick-coloring was a change made very early on. I applaud do0d for taking on such an ambitious project and look forward to more improvements.
do0d reviewed v1.4 Alpha 1 on Jan 16, 2004
germirioth:
I agree fully with what you say. Although, I am the one who made the changes you speak of. This is still an *ALPHA* version and here is my reasoning on the changes. I was unfamiliar with the code and figured these minor changes were an excellent way to start learning. I have learned a lot think it was wise to start where I did. Now on to greater things!
germirioth reviewed v1.4 Alpha 1 on Jan 15, 2004
The original waste was and is very good, but these 3rd party developed versions are far from impressive. Try adding some features that are worthwhile instead of little kiddie options like changing colors of nicknames. I still give this a high rating because the program is ****ing sex, but jesus, come on... There has to be some developers out there that have some REAL ambition to improve this program.