Introduction to IRC
What
is IRC?
IRC stands
for Internet
Relay Chat and
has been around since at least the early 1990s. It was originally a way
for people on the old BBS (Bulletin Board Systems) to communicate with
each other.
Basic IRC operation.
Basic IRC operation.
How
does it work ?
An IRC
network is made up of one or more IRC servers
connected to each
other to form a network. Messages sent from a user will go to the
server, which determines which server the message needs to go to,
depending on where the person receiving the message is connected within
the IRC network, and will then proceed to send the message to the
correct server. Unlike other real time chat services such as MSN, ICQ
and Jabber, you send and receive plaintext and encrypted messages on IRC. Like
other real time chat systems, you may send and receive files using DCC.
You may also initiate a direct client to client chat that does not use
the IRC server by using DCC chat - other chat systems are unable to do
direct client to client chat because everything must be sent through
the main server. Users may join and part chatrooms known as channels.
All channel names must start with # (although there are some
exceptions, but thats too complex to get into here). Joining a channel
is done by typing /join
channel and parting is done by typing /part
channel. IRC channels and user settings are
defined by a set of letters
known as modes. For example, setting +o on someone in a channel will
make them an operator, allowing them to do
things such as kicking
people (unless channel mode +Q is on).
How
do I get on to IRC?
Well,
for this example, we are going to use the shareware program named mIRC.
Firstly, you will need to go to http://www.mirc.com/get.html
and
download mIRC.
Next, you will need to install it (installation instructions can be found here). Once you have installed and set up mIRC, open a new server window and type '/server irc.freethinker.ws -j #world' (without the quotes). This will connect you to the FreeThinker IRC network and join you to the main non ssl channel.
Alternativly you can get the free xchat irc client (similar to mIRC) which already supports ssl by default; allowing you to take advantage of the network encryption.
In case you prefer to check other irc clients click here.
To setup some of the most used irc clients check the ssl-setup page.
It will guide you with mIRC, xchat2, opera, chatzilla, irssi and kvirc
If you want you can use the freethinker mIRC client that is already build to suit and fit all the network features and provide full freethinker support. All you have to do is to download and install.
All the setup work is already done for you.
Get it here
Commands:
Please note: servers, commands may be different on other IRC servers
All commands start with a / - such as /join #channel (this will join you to #channel)
HELP - shows general help or help on the given command.
LIST - lists all current channels.
JOIN - to join a channel
PART - to leave a channel (same as LEAVE)
QUIT - exits your IRC session, (same as BYE and EXIT)
NICK - changes your nickname
AWAY - leaves a message saying you're away or not paying attention
WHOIS - displays information about someone
INVITE - sends an invitation to another user (need to be an operator)
KICK - gets rid of someone on a channel (need to be an operator)
TOPIC - changes the topic of the channel (need to be an operator unless channel is not +t)
ME - sends anything about you to a channel or QUERY
To get help with user modes, type /helpop umodes
To get help with channel modes, type /helpop chmodes
To apply a mode to yourself, type /mode yournick +/-mode To apply a mode in a channel (this requires you to be a channel operator for that channel), type /mode channel +/- mode
To get help using IRC in general, type /join #help
People on IRC:
Ok, once you have joined an IRC channel, you will see a list of names of people that are in that channel. IRC isn't a game, those are real people (although some may be automated channel protection programs, there's no real way to tell) so play nice and don't be annoying or you are likely to be kicked out.
Remember: NEVER give out your personal details on IRC, some people may seem nice (and alot are) but there are many with bad intentions (just like in the real world).
Conclusion
Well, thats it for this quick introduction to IRC, if there's anything you don't understand about it, please don't hesitate to email me or ask in #help
Apart from this introduction, there are lots of IRC intoduction tutorials (many are alot more detailed then this as this is just a quick tutorial) that you can find using google search (google is VERY useful, don't ignore it).
Next, you will need to install it (installation instructions can be found here). Once you have installed and set up mIRC, open a new server window and type '/server irc.freethinker.ws -j #world' (without the quotes). This will connect you to the FreeThinker IRC network and join you to the main non ssl channel.
Alternativly you can get the free xchat irc client (similar to mIRC) which already supports ssl by default; allowing you to take advantage of the network encryption.
In case you prefer to check other irc clients click here.
To setup some of the most used irc clients check the ssl-setup page.
It will guide you with mIRC, xchat2, opera, chatzilla, irssi and kvirc
If you want you can use the freethinker mIRC client that is already build to suit and fit all the network features and provide full freethinker support. All you have to do is to download and install.
All the setup work is already done for you.
Get it here
Commands:
Please note: servers, commands may be different on other IRC servers
All commands start with a / - such as /join #channel (this will join you to #channel)
HELP - shows general help or help on the given command.
LIST - lists all current channels.
JOIN - to join a channel
PART - to leave a channel (same as LEAVE)
QUIT - exits your IRC session, (same as BYE and EXIT)
NICK - changes your nickname
AWAY - leaves a message saying you're away or not paying attention
WHOIS - displays information about someone
INVITE - sends an invitation to another user (need to be an operator)
KICK - gets rid of someone on a channel (need to be an operator)
TOPIC - changes the topic of the channel (need to be an operator unless channel is not +t)
ME - sends anything about you to a channel or QUERY
To get help with user modes, type /helpop umodes
To get help with channel modes, type /helpop chmodes
To apply a mode to yourself, type /mode yournick +/-mode To apply a mode in a channel (this requires you to be a channel operator for that channel), type /mode channel +/- mode
To get help using IRC in general, type /join #help
People on IRC:
Ok, once you have joined an IRC channel, you will see a list of names of people that are in that channel. IRC isn't a game, those are real people (although some may be automated channel protection programs, there's no real way to tell) so play nice and don't be annoying or you are likely to be kicked out.
Remember: NEVER give out your personal details on IRC, some people may seem nice (and alot are) but there are many with bad intentions (just like in the real world).
Conclusion
Well, thats it for this quick introduction to IRC, if there's anything you don't understand about it, please don't hesitate to email me or ask in #help
Apart from this introduction, there are lots of IRC intoduction tutorials (many are alot more detailed then this as this is just a quick tutorial) that you can find using google search (google is VERY useful, don't ignore it).