If you do end up staying with Java and need some help, I may be available to lend a hand in several months (around May, when my semester ends). I would be able to do at least the networking and file I/O.
If you choose to switch to C/C++, I can help if you do not mind your program not supporting Windows. I have never coded no using POSIX libraries. If anyone has a nice reference on the Windows libraries, mind sharing?