Internet Relay Chat Course Notes {IRC}

Basic Introduction: What is IRC?

IRC means 'Internet Relay Chat'. It is a series of chat rooms on a number of servers used for socializing and meeting with like minded individuals. This is where most the socializing in the ID is done and one of our biggest methods of mass communication, the other two being google groups and a message boards. This course is an introduction into using IRC, written for beginning users and normal chatters. The University will offer an advanced course for channel operators in the near future.


Where to get IRC

Depending on your platform, you will require the correct client. Go to one of the following sites and follow the instructions there to download and install your client:

• Windows = http://www.mirc.com/
• Unix/Linux = http://www.irchelp.org/irchelp/ircii/index.html
• Mac = http://www.irchelp.org/irchelp/mac/index.html

Further sections of this course have been written with Windows mIRC in mind, other clients will offer you the same functions, but they may be in different menus. Consult the application’s help file for details. The typed commands listed in section 04 are processed by the server and will work with all clients.


Servers

The IRC networks are made up of a number of servers or relays that will process, store and forward messages you type or see. You must connect to one of the servers and then you will be able to connect and talk to all users on servers of the same network. The we use the undernet network for our channels.

The servers on the undernet are quite tempermental so it is best that you find a few servers that let you connect easy and stick to them. They are as follows:

* Undernet: CA, ON, Toronto
* Undernet: CA, QC, Montreal
* Undernet: EU, AT, Graz
* Undernet: EU, BE, Antwerp
* Undernet: EU, BE, Brussels
* Undernet: EU, FR, Caen
* Undernet: EU, FR, Paris
* Undernet: EU, NL, Diemen
* Undernet: EU, NL, Haarlem
* Undernet: EU, NO, Oslo
* Undernet: EU, SE, Stockholm
* Undernet: EU, UK, Surrey
* Undernet: US, CA, San Diego
* Undernet: US, DC, Washington
* Undernet: US, KS, Manhattan
* Undernet: US, NV, Las Vegas
* Undernet: US, TX, Austin
* Undernet: US, UT, Saltlake
* Undernet: US, VA, Arlington
* Undernet: US, VA, McLean

There is no rhyme or reason to connecting, some say it is easier to connect to servers near you, but that is not always true. Try out different servers and use whichever tends to give the best connection. Staying on your own continent is recommended, some servers may reject you if you are connecting from too far apart.

Besides undernet, there are other networks, from which you however cannot access our channels. The most used of those are:

* QuakeNet
* EFNet
* DALNet

You can manually add servers to the startup connection screen. These will generally appear at the bottom of the list. Be aware that some of those servers may be of a very specialized nature and it is recommended to think twice before connecting a server you do not know anything about - some of those servers exclusively deal with adult themes or pirated software. We do not use any servers outside the undernet.


Basic Commands

• /dns = IP Address. /dns .
• /ignore = add nick to the ignore list. If ignore does not seem to work, go to the address book and enable ignore in the control section (it should normally be enabled when mIRC is first installed).
• /ignore -d = Clears your ignore list. If you want to selectively delete names or review your ignore list, it is found in address book under control.
• /join = joins channels. type /join #[channelname] (e.g. /join #Imperial_Directorate) in the status screen.
• /me = emote, actions. type /me [action] (e.g. /me sits down).
• /msg = /msg . Send a private message to a user
• /nick = change your nickname. /nick GreatJedi would make your name "GreatJedi". Nicks are limited to 9 characters. In trivia sessions, you indicate your score in your nick, e.g. "Kaiann-4" would mean Kaiann has four points.
• /notify = add to the notify list. Go to the address book and enable notify in the notify section.
• /query = /query . Start a private conversation with a user
• /whois = /whois Brings up basic info on the nick typed.

Channels

Communication of IRC is done in channels (rooms). You have to join at least one channel to talk about anything. There are several thousand channels at any time, catering to the most diverse groups of users.

Official channels:

* #Imperial_Directorate - This is the main Imperial Directorate channel.

Supporting channels:

* #outerrim - Used by the ID and its allies, this channel hosts the interclub training night at 4pm EST on Saturdays.


Control codes

You can create colored text, bold text and underlines by using specific control codes in your text entry line. Use them sparingly - overuse of color and bold may lead to you getting kicked or even banned.

* [CTRL-B] makes text bold. Use [CTRL-B] again to stop bold text.
* [CTRL-U] makes text underlined. Use it again to end the underline
* [CTRL-K] begins a color code. A small window will pop up showing the 16 available colors. To color just your text, enter one number after the [CTRL-K], to color the background as well, enter two separated by a comma. Go back to black on white with [CTRL-K]1,0

In your input line, control codes show up as black boxes.


Advanced Functions

A—DCC

The DCC (Direct computer-computer) function of IRC enables you to send or receive files. You will usually want to use "send" only, with the sender initiating the file transfer. Using "receive" will require the other user to have set up a folder with shared files which poses some system security dangers. It is recommended that all file transfers via IRC be done via DCC send.

To use DCC send, click on a user in the user list, then right-click to bring up the context menu. Select DCC/Send and choose the file to send.

When someone sends you a DCC file, you will get a dialog in which you can accept or reject the file. Accept files only from people you know! After the download completes, the file can be found in the "download" folder of your IRC program folder.

B—Logging

In the Options dialog, you can enable logging of channels you talk in. This is found under IRC / logging. The options are mostly self-explaining, just make sure that if your disk space is limited, you do select a maximum size for logs (an active IRC user will receive about 500 to 1000k of data per day). The option "daily filenames" is important for organizing logs - if enabled, you get a new file each day and channel, enabling you to quickly find a discussion you still know the date of, while turning it off gives you each channel in one monster file you can use string searches on to locate specific topics. Whichever you use is personal preference.

You can also do a copy/paste from the window to get a short log execrpt still on your screen. mIRC does not behave like most Windows applications here. To copy, highlight the text you want to copy from beginning to end (you cannot highlight backwards!). As soon as you let go of the mouse button, the text will de-highlight. This indicates the text was copied. (You do not need to use Edit/Copy or CTRL-C to copy). You can then paste the text into any application as normal.

C—Operator and Voice

Some users in channels have additional rights. Operators are gods, they can determine everything in the channel. When an operator asks you to do or cease something, you comply or risk being kicked out of the channel. Operators can be recognized in the right-hand user listing by the "@" in front of their name.

Voice allows you to speak when the channel is moderated. Only users with voice and operators can speak during a moderated time - this is for example done during the weekly meeting.

D—Kicks and bans

When you receive a kick, this is a warning. You will be removed from the channel, but you can rejoin it. Be sure not to continue the behavior that got you kicked or you'll just get kicked again and maybe banned.

Bans prevent the banned user from rejoining the channel. When banned, you're out of the channel for as long as the operators say so. Bans range from 5 minutes to lifetime, depending on how badly you misbehaved.

Short Speech

These are a few acronyms you may encounter on IRC (more or less frequently).. IRCers are notorious for being lazy in typing and thus you may see more than these. If in doubt, ask.

* AFAIK - As far as I know
* bbiab - Be back in a bit
* bbl - be back later
* brb - be right back
* gtg - got to go
* IHTWBSAP - I have trouble with basic spelling and punctuation
* IIRC - If I recall correctly
* IMO - In my opinion
* IMHO - In my humble opinion (variations on this are possible)
* ISP - Internert Service Provider, AOL, juno, etc.
* IRC Operator (or IRCop/Oper) - Server Admin, these people keep the network running and get rid of abusive clients
* k-line - Server Ban. (You been a really bad boy or you got zapped for having the same info as a bad boy)
* LOL - laughing out loud
* Ops - Operator status
* PM - Private Message
* r/l (or RL) - Real Life
* ROFL (or ROTFL) - Rolls on floor laughing
* WSTS - Weeping Silently to Self