FreeThinker IRC Network

Free your mind

Useful commands

Changing your nickname

If you wish to alter your nickname, but not permanently, simply type:
/nick NewName

When you want to return to your registered nickname, type:
/nick RegisteredName

Followed by:
/msg NickServ IDENTIFY password

 

Away messages

If you are leaving the computer or keyboard for a while and want to inform curious minds where you'll be should they e.g. whois you, type (in most IRC clients, this command is ready for use):
/away reason for being away

For instance, if you were going to milk your goat, you might type:
/away milking the goat

When you return to your computer/keyboard, type:
/away

and the away message will be removed from your information. You may be tempted to use a script which announces your /away status to all channels. Please be aware that this can annoy some people.

 

Getting information on other users

If you wish to find out more basic information on another user, type:
/whois nickname

This will reveal several tidbits about that user, but nothing overly personal. Let's say that you wanted information on someone who has just left IRC. You could type:
/whowas nickname

If they were recently on IRC, the server will retrieve some information about them.

 

Sending a private message to another user

You can speak with another user in private by typing:
/query nickname

In most GUI IRC clients, double-clicking on a nickname in a channel's names list will also open a window to talk to that person in private. You do not have to share any channels with someone to talk to them privately.

 

Channel list
You can obtain a list of active channels by typing:
/list

This command will show you the channel name, how many users are currently in that channel, and the topic for that channel.