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March 26, 2003 at 7:59 am #13567SlumMember
Here are a few frequently asked questions that relate to Internet Relay Chats (IRC). If you feel something else should be in the FAQ, make a post in the forum, and we will review it.
What is IRC?
IRC is an abbreviation for the Internet Relay Chat. Unlike most other IM programs, IRC supports multi-user chat. It also provides ‘real-time’ messaging for instant communication. By connecting to an IRC server you can take advantage of the multi-user by joining channels with an unlimited (unless set by channel operators) amount of users. You can talk in the main channel, or you can send someone a private message (query).Who Created IRC?
Jarkko Oikarinen created IRC in 1988, in his homeland of Finland.What is the IRC set up?
IRC is a collection of ‘Servers’. A Server is a place were users connect, to access the channels/rooms that are used for communication. There are virtually thousands of servers to connect to, with some more popular than others. The more popular the server, the more users that will be available for chat. For example servers such as EFnet, DALnet, and Undernet see upwards to 15000 users at any given time. There is no limit to how many channels can be added to a server, which means you can make your own if you choose, or you can join a pre-existent one.How do I get on IRC?
The first thing you need to do is have a client. The most popular of IRC clients is mIRC created by Khaled Mardam-Bey. Using clients is your guide to connecting yourself to the IRC servers, which you can then enter the channels of your choice.Where can I get an IRC client?
Here is a list of a few IRC clients that you can use.Windows
- MIRC – http://www.mirc.com
- Trillian – http://www.trillian.cc
- XIRCON – http://www.xircon.com
- MAXXChat – http://www.maxxchat.com
- Hirc – http://www.xs4all.nl/~hneel/software.htm
- BersIRC (Beserk) – http://www.bersirc.com
- Klient – http://www.klient.com
- PowerChat – http://www.sr-tech.com/srtech.htm
- AdvancedIRC (Open Source) – http://advancedirc.sourceforge.net/
- Visual IRC – http://www.visualirc.net/beta.php/
- LeafChat – http://www.leafdigital.com/Software/CuteChat/
- XiRCON – http://www.xircon.com/
Mac
- Ircle – http://www.ircle.com/
- Snak – http://www.snak.com/
- MacIRC – http://www.macirc.com/
Linux/Unix
- IrcII (Also contains links to enhanced clients of IrcII) – http://www.ircii.org/
- BitchX – http://www.bitchx.com/
- Xchat – http://www.xchat.org/ (Also available for Windows)
- Irssi – http://www.irssi.org/
OS/2
Other Operating Systems
Your best bet would be to do a search on Tucows (http://www.tucows.com) for clients that will work with your operating system. Just go to their site, select your operating system and search for IRC clients, you should be able to find a client you need.What server/channel should I connect to?
This is the great thing, its up to you…aah the freedom. You get to choose where you want to start your chatting experience. Most people has a friend already that goes to a certain channel, and also chat there.What port should I connect to?
Most of the time the server will already be provided for you. Most cases the most popular ports are 6661-6669. A general rule of thumb would be to select 6667 as your port, since it is the most common port.I’m not sure what channel to join. How can I find a list of all channels? By typing ‘ /list ‘ you will initiate a mass collection list of all the channels available on the server. It takes a few minutes till all the channels load.
How do I create my own channel?
Being the first person to enter a channel automatically makes it a channel. Depending on the server, you can make your channel permanent. To do this contact someone from the server, and ask for their policies concerning the addition of your channel.What is a Channel Operator?
A channel operator is usually the creator of a channel. They are the people with a @ at the top of the list on screen names. These people and their helpers are in charge of making sure the channel stays to their set rules, and to keep out the riff-raff.I have a + next to my name, what does this mean?
Well, it depends on the channel. In most channels it means nothing but separates you from the list of non-op screen names. Some channels do this to note a friend of the channel operators. Other than that if the channel is set as ‘moderate’ (+m) this means that nobody can talk but people with @ and + signs. Anyone without cannot speak directly in the channel, but can still speak via querys.What is a bot?
A bot is another name for robot. Bots are scripts or programs that are run in the channels to help the channel operators protect the channel from numerous things. They are generally run of Shells or servers themselves to ensure that they will be constantly connected to the server. Some servers don’t allow bots, so make sure you read the servers policy before trying to load a bot. Failure to do so could lead to the banning of your connection to that server.What is a netsplit?
Sad but true, IRC has its draw backs, and Netsplits are one of them. Its something that can’t be avoided but is not permanent. A netsplit is when a server temporarily disconnects from the other servers, usually caused by connection problems with the server you are connected to, or crowding of a single server. As an example if you are connected to a server and that server splits, you will most likely find yourself seeing other people’s quits saying (*.net *.split), or something to that affect. Just be patient and wait for your server to reconnect.What is a Script?
A script is a modified IRC client. Scripts are enhanced versions of IRC clients, that tailor to a person’s needs. Some scripts are set to entertain the users who use them, and the people in the channels. These scripts might contain games, and such. On the other hand someone who values security might have a script that has program add-ons that help secure their computer. There are tons and tons of scripts available to download. Here are some links that might help you.- Mircx: http://www.mircx.com/
- Hawkeye: http://www.hawkee.com/
- mIRCScripts: http://www.mircscripts.com/
- IRC-Scripts: http://www.irc-scripts.com/
How can I learn to script?
The best place to start is by using mIRC itself. mIRC provides help files in its program that teaches how to learn the basics to scripting. You can find them in mIRC by going to: Help > Help Files > Then click the following links – Aliases, Popups, Remote, Variables, & Identifiers. Once you learn the basics you can learn to integrate more complicated code.April 21, 2003 at 5:45 pm #97411SlumMemberMost Common Fserve Navagation Commands
ls – list
ls which stands for list, is a command that allows you to see what directory you are currently in, and what folder/filles are there. This usually lists the files left to right. To use the list command just type ls.dir – Directory
This command does the same deal as the ls command, but lists the files top to bottom. To use the directory command type dir.cd – Change Directory
This command is what lets you move from one folder to the next. For example say you are in the main directory. You already used the ls or dir commands to see what other files/folders you could access. So you find a folder called “Stuff” and you want to enter that folder so you can see what files are offered in there. Then you would type this: cd Stuff That will allow you to access that folder.get – Download
This is the command that some Fserves use to download files from their server. Once you find a file you would like to download, for example we will call this file “example.mp3”. What you would do is type the following: get example.mp3.Most Common Information Commands[/b]
who – Who else is on the Fserve
This command lets you see who else is currently accessing the same Fserve as you. To use this command just type whostats – Fserve Statistics
This command lets you access information about the Fserve such as, How many times it was accessed, How many files it has sent, and usually records, or most popular downloads. To use this command simply type stats.queues – Line of people waiting to download
Since everything on IRC fserves can’t be quick get and send there is que list that you might have to wait in till the Fserve has an open slot. This also helps in letting you know how long it will take for you to start your download, and also what number in line you are. queues is the command you would use for this function.clr_queues – Clears your downloads in que
This command is here incase you accidently set to download a file, that didn’t start downloading yet and is in line in the que list. The command removes the downloads you have set. To use it type clr_queues.terms – Fserve Rules
This command is accessed by typing terms. This usually brings up a file text on the page that explains the rules of the fserver, or some sort of important notice that the owner of the fserve would like its downloaders to know. It is always a good idea to check the terms before you download anything from the server.read – Accessing text files
This command is used when you notice a text file in the main directory. For example we will use “readme.txt”. The command is used like this: read readme.txt. This is another common way that owners of the fserve will have their terms or rules viewable, without actully downloading the .txt file.sends – Current files being sent
This lets you see what files are currently being sent by the fserver. This becomes very useful when your set in a que line, so you know when the next file is done, and you can move up in the line. Like the others to use this command just type sendsJune 3, 2003 at 9:19 am #97410SlumMemberConnecting to Big Blue Ball IRC
As many of you know… We have setup a channel on an IRC server so that people from the BBB Forum could access a real-time chat via IRC. There have been questions on how exactly someone can access the IRC server that #BigBlueBall runs off of.
Website
The most simple way would be to access the ‘web chat’ that Jeff has setup to make the experience painless and easy. You can get to the web chat by going to the https://bigblueball.com main page, and clicking the link on the left hand menu that says ‘Webchat‘. This will open up a window that will let you connect to the channel through your web browser.mIRC
The other most common form of accessing the IRC channel would be the mIRC client. To add the server to your list, hold the Alt key and the letter ‘O‘. This will bring up your mIRC options in a small window. Next click the button in the top right hand corner that says Add. You will see a window open called ‘Add Server‘, you will have to type in the following information in the respected spaces.- Description: BigBlueBall
- IRC Server: irc.bigblueball.com
- Port: 6667
- Group: BigBlueBall
Leave the space, Password:, empty.
Then click the Ok button.Then all you have to do is connect to the server like you would to any other IRC server. When you are connected type /join #bigblueball and you will join the channel, and all the fun.
Trillian
The setup is much like mIRC. When you open up the Trillian client, you most likely already know about the different connection manager buttons at the bottom right hand of the buddy list. These are the buttons that allow you to use all the different IM services. The IRC connection manager button is the third one from the left. If you click that button it will bring up a small popup that says Connection Manager… Click this and it will bring up window that is much like the server window for mIRC. To add our server, make sure at the top left hand corner the ‘chat medium’ is set on IRC. Then look at the bottom left hand corner and click the Add. Then fill in the same information that we used in the mIRC example:- Description: BigBlueBall
- IRC Server: irc.bigblueball.com
- Port: 6667
- Group: BigBlueBall
Leave the space, Password:, empty. Then click the Ok button.
Then your all set for IRC using Trillian, just connect to the server, click the IRC “Connection Manager” button and click the option ‘Toggle Status Window’, it will bring up the chat window. Lastly you type /join #bigblueball when you access the server and your all set to chat with your fellow BigBlueBallians. -
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