| Frequently Asked Questions List (1) What is IRC? IRC stands for "Internet Relay Chat". It was written by Jarkko Oikarinen (jto@tolsun.oulu.fi) in 1988. Since starting in Finland, it has been used in some 20+ countries spanning the globe. It was designed as a replacement for the "talk" program but has become much much more than that. IRC is a multi-user chat system, where people convene on "channels" (a virtual place, usually with a topic of conversation) to talk in groups, or privately. IRC gained international fame during the late Persian Gulf War, where updates from around the world came accross the wire, and most people on irc gathered on a single channel to hear these reports. (2) How is IRC set up? The user runs a "client" program (usually called 'irc') which connects to the irc network via another program called a "server". Servers exist to pass messages from user to user over the irc network. (3) How do I use a client? You either compile the source yourself, have someone else on your machine compile the source for you, or use the TELNET client. "telnet bradenville.andrew.cmu.edu". Please only use the latter when you have no other way of reaching irc, as this resource is quite limited. (4) Where can I get source for the irc client? UNIX client-> cair.kaist.ac.kr /pub/irc/ircII2.1beta13.tar.Z kum.kaist.ac.kr /pub/irc/ircII2.1beta13.tar.Z EMACS elisp-> cs.bu.edu nic.funet.fi ftp.informatik.tu-muenchen.de slopoke.mlb.semi.harris.com VMS -> a client for multinet TCP/IP is packaged with the server code, avaliable from all the above sites except plod.cbme.unsw.oz.au. a client for Wollongong TCP/IP is avaliable from vaxb.acs.unt.edu REXX client for VM-> faramir.informatik.uni-oldenburg.de pub/irc/rxirc (5) Which server do I connect to? It's usually best to try and connect to one geographically close, even though that may not be the best. You can always ask when you get on irc. Here's a list of servers avaliable for connection: daiduk.kaist.ac.kr kum.kaist.ac.kr csd.postech.ac.kr This is, by no means, a comprehensive list, but merely a start. Connect to the closest of these servers and send a /wallops. (/wallops means "write to all operators"). Something along the lines of -> /wallops I'm from site [insert sitename here], what would be a good server for me to connect to. (6) OK, I've got a client and I'm connected to a server? Now what? It's probably best to take a look around and see what you want to do first. All irc commands start with a "/", and most are one word. Typing /help will get you help information. /names will get you a list of names, etc. The output is typically something like this-> (Note there are more channels than this, this is just sample output). Pub: +hack zorgo eiji Patrick fup htoaster Pub: +Nippon @jircc @miyu_d Pub: +nicole MountainD Pub: +hottub omar liron beer Deadog moh pfloyd Dode greywolf SAMANTHA "Pub" means public (or "visible") channel. "hack" is the channel name. "+" is the type (see number 7 below). A "@" before someone's nickname indicates he/she is the "Channel operator" of that channel. A Channel Operator is someone who has control over a specific channel. It can be shared or not as the first Channel Operator sees fit. The first person to join the channel automatically gets Channel Operator, and can share it with anyone he/she chooses (or not). (7) What is the difference between "+" and "#" channels? Nothing. Well, nothing apart from the fact that you can join only one "+" channel and up to ten "#" channels. Sometimes "#" channels are viewed as "auxillary" channels. The only thing "#" channels can't do that "+" channels can, currently, is that they cannot have TOPICs set. This is hoped to be fixed in the future. (8) What are good channels to try while using irc? +hottub and +initgame are almost always teeming with people. +hottub is meant to simulate a hot tub, and +initgame is non-stop game of "inits" (initials). Just join and find out! Many irc operators are in #Twilight_Zone ... so if you join that channel and don't hear much talking, don't worry, it's not because you joined, operators don't talk much on that channel anyways! (9) What if someone tells me to type something cryptic? Never type anything anyone tells you to without knowing what it is. There is a problem with typing a certain command with the ircII client that gives anyone immediate control of your client (and thus can alter your account environment also). (10) What is NickServ? What if I can't remember my NickServ password? To quote from NickServ's help text, NickServ's purpose is to keep unique nicknames on irc. NickServ sends a warning to anyone else who signs on with your nickname. If you don't use IRC for 10 weeks, your nickname expires for reuse. Only a NickServ operator can change your nickserv password. To find out which NickServ operators are online, send /msg NickServ@service.de OPERWHO Nicknames with a "*" next to them are online at the time. (11) What do I do if I'm still confused or have additions to this posting? email irc@daiduk.kaist.ac.kr or find Yoke in IRC. |