ive got vsftpd installed but im still working on configuring it.....i dont want it to be anonomus only i want to have a privite server...with user names and passwds

this is my plan
fyi i have been working with this since gores post about secure ftp servers

i want to add a few of my friends so we can share files we get and not have to burn cds or go over to ur friends house with a thumbdrive
i plan to have privite folders for everyone and a group folder wich is download only

i think i have all the ports opened on my router but when i try to log in i get from gftp "cannot locate user specified in ftp_username"

ive searched the internet looking for something that will help me with this but i havent found one yet....if someone could tell me what options i need in my config file and what userlist files i need to creat and where */etc or /etc/vsftpd*

or if you could direct me to a helpful tut online id be very happy