: Hey I understood the confusion after I read what I had posted. So here I am
: to clarify things. It really is as fast as I say it is, however, there
: really is no encryption to deal with.
Hamachi uses AES-256 encryption by default.
: During the install of Hamachi, the
: program installs a network adapter (software using your connection. Used
: mainly in WindowsXP and Windows 2000 Pro.). Then (and this is almost the
: only time it happens) it aquires and assigns IP for you to use to log into
: their server to verify your identity (dont worry all they verify is your
: Hamachi Nickname and password). When you log in to Hamachi your ID is
: verified, then they just leave you alone. When you Create a network it is
: up to you to tell your friends (who should have the same program) the name
: of it and the password to get in. "Where's your ID stored?" you
: may ask. In response i would say "It is in the Hamachi program
: folder, and nowhere else." No one can get in your system unless you
: have Network File Sharing turned on (it is also to your discretoin which
: files to share). If you have a wireless DSL, I recomend that you make sure
: that you have at least a 2.5Mb/s connection. I have cable internet and so
: at my lower speed can host games normally.
I'm well aware of how VPNs work, and you could say I understand how Aleph One's net code works ;)
I don't see how it's easier to download this software, register, and set everything up, than it is to click "Find Internet Game" or "Advertise Game on Internet" when joining/gathering. But if you want to limit yourself to windows/linux users who are savvy enough to set all that up, that doesn't bother me. There is even a case that Hamachi can solve that Aleph One can not yet: when all users are behind routers or firewalls they can't configure.
I merely took issue with your implication that this would be faster or less laggy in some way than using Aleph One by itself, just because it calls itself a "virtual LAN". That implication is simply untrue :)