System Time: 08:07 25 Jul 2008 - 7 Players Online
IRC Primer
Contents |
What is This Primer?
This is a very, very brief overview of what IRC is and how to use it. Special thanks go to mIRC.com and irchelp.org, which formed the slight basis of this document (heavily edited to be B$ specific of course :) )
What is IRC?
IRC (Internet Relay Chat) provides a way of communicating in real time with people from all over the world. It consists of various separate networks (or "nets") of IRC servers, machines that allow users to connect to IRC.
Generally, the user (such as you) runs a program (called a "client") to connect to a server on one of the IRC nets. The server relays information to and from other servers on the same net. Recommended clients:
- UNIX/shell: ircII or BitchX
- Linux GUI: xChat or KVIrc
- Windows: mIRC
Be absolutely, positively sure to read the documentation for your client!
Once connected to an IRC server on an IRC network, you will usually join one or more "channels" and converse with others there. On WyldeRyde, the network the blogshares IRC Channel is on, there often are many channels, each devoted to a different topic. Conversations may be public (where everyone in a channel can see what you type) or private (messages between only two people, who may or may not be on the same channel). IRC is not a "game", and I highly recommend you treat people you meet on IRC with the same courtesy as if you were talking in person or on the phone, or there may be serious consequences.
IRC Channels
Channel names usually begin with a #, as in #blogshares . The same channels are shared among all IRC servers on the same net, so you do not have to be on the same IRC server as your friends.
Each user is known on IRC by a "nick", such as SubWolf or IslandDave. To avoid conflicts with other users, it is best to use a nick that is not too common, e.g., "john" is a poor choice. On wyldryde, it is possible to protect your nickname (and you should - more on this later!)
Channels are run by channel operators, or just "ops" for short, who can control the channel by choosing who may join (by "banning" some users), who must leave (by "kicking" them out), and even who may speak (by making the channel "moderated")! Channel ops have complete control over their channel, and their decisions are final.
Talking and Using Commands
Commands and text are typed in the same place. By default, commands begin with the character / . If you have a graphical client such as mIRC for Windows, many commands can be executed by clicking on icons with the mouse pointer. It is, however, highly recommended that you learn to type in the basic IRC commands first. When entering commands, pay close attention to spacing and capitalization. The basic commands work on all the good clients.
Some examples are given below. In these, suppose your nick is "yournick", and that you are on the channel #blogshares.
Your friend "Jade" is in #blogshares with you, and your friend "Mia" is on IRC but is not on a channel with you. You can apply these examples in general by substituting the relevant nick or channel names.
What you type and What happens
/join #blogshares You join the channel #coolness.
/who #blogshares Gives some info on users in the channel.
@ = channel op, % = half op, + = voiced user
hello everyone Everyone on #blogshares sees <yournick> hello everyone. (You need not type in your own nick.)
/me is a pink bunny Everyone in #blogshares sees * yournick is a pink bunny
/leave #blogshares You leave the channel.
/whois yournick This is some info others see about you.
/nick newnick Changes your nick to "newnick"
/msg Mia hi there. Only Mia sees your message (you don't need to be on the same channel for this to work).
/help This works in many clients. Try it!
/quit good night! You quit IRC completely, with the message so that others see "*** Signoff: yournick (good night!)".
A Few Important Notes
Etiquette Typing in all caps, LIKE THIS, is considered "shouting" and should be avoided. Likewise, do not repeat yourself or otherwise "flood" the channel with many lines of text at once. Be sure to use correct terminology, e.g., "channel", not "chat room", and "nick", not "handle".
While in a channel, follow the lead of the channel ops there. If you antagonize them, you may be "kicked" off the channel forcibly and possibly "banned" from returning. On the other hand, some channel ops are power-hungry and may kick or ban for no good reason. If this happens, or if someone on a channel is bothering you, simply leave the channel -- there are thousands of others.
Also, it is considered rude to send unsolicited PM's (/msg) to someone without asking first.
Harrassment and attacks If someone starts harassing or flooding you, leave the channel or use the /ignore command. It is a good idea to set your user mode to +i (invisible) to avoid unsolicited messages and harrassment -- if you are "invisible" generally only users on a channel with you can determine what nick you are using.
Please remember that the wyldryde network does not tolerate hate speech or warez trading of any type.
Registering Your Nickname
Once you have decided on a nickname, it is a good idea to register it. First:
/msg NickServ register SOMEPASSWORD YOUREMAIL
When you come back to IRC, change back to your nick, and then identify to the service:
/msg NickServ identify SOMEPASSWORD
This will keep people from pretending to be you.
A Note About Idling
You will notice that many people in #blogshares leave their connections on full time. This is called idling. It is acceptable practice, but you *must* turn off any sort of automatic announcement that you are away. (Sending a message every 15 minutes to tell us you're still not there is not only rude, it will probably get you removed from the channel)