Introduction to the Internet

Starting to use IRC (Internet Relay Chat)

Available Software

• irc (UNIX): A terminal-oriented IRC client. This software is available on "sils.umich.edu", and its the recommended way to use IRC for its power and stability.
• ircle (Macintosh): A window-oriented IRC package, where each channel one joins is represented by a window.
• Homer (Macintosh): Another window-oriented IRC package, with floating command and message palettes. Menus and buttons make common tasks easy. Homer also supports colorizing and speaking text.

Connecting

Nicknames are the common identifiers of a user, and can be from 3-9 characters (letters, numbers, underlines, and certain punctuation). By default, your nickname is your UNIX login.

To make use of IRC you need to connect to a proper server. Common servers include: pegasus.ccs.itd.umich.edu, irc.uiuc.edu, or irc.colorado.edu. By default, you are connected to the University's IRC server.

When you connect, you will see that server's Message of the Day, or MOTD, the number of currently connected users, and other information. After connecting, you are not a member of any IRC channels. You must join a channel to partake in public discussion, or send private messages to your desired recipient.

Basic Concepts

• Servers: Each IRC server is linked to other servers in a large web of data exchange. The servers manage the complexity of tracking users, channels, and messages.
• Clients: To join IRC, you use a client program to connect to a server. Once you have connected to a server, it is responsible for relaying all your commands and messages to the network, and vice-versa.
• Channels: Discussion is divided into numerous channels, each identified by its unique name. Channel names are identified because they start with the '#' character. Channels provide public communication with all users on that channel, and users can participate on one or many channels simultaneously.
• Commands: The commands you give IRC permit you to join or leave channels, send public or private messages, or other tasks. Commands are identified by the starting '/' character. Text entered without the leading '/' character is sent as a public message to your current channel (this is the standard and simple way for talking).
• Users: All people connected to IRC are users identified by unique nicknames. By default, users are able to perform all the basic functions of IRC, such as joining or leaving channels, sending public or private messages, and client commands.
• Channel Operators: To administrate channels, the user who creates a channel becomes its operator. Operators can kick other users from the channel, ban users or sites from the channels, and lock the channel then invite only specific people. Operators can also bestow "ChanOp" status to other users on the channel. This forms a simple mechanism for control on IRC, and although not perfect, it is very democratic. Users who feel that an channel operator is being abusive of his power can simply create a new channel where they are now the operator.
• IRC Operators: Those who administrate IRC servers are known as IRC operators (not to be confused with channel operators). The primary responsibility of these users is to maintain servers and eliminate problems with the IRC connections in general.
• 'Bots: Computer programs which perform automated tasks are known as 'bots. Typical functions include information dispersal or channel moderation. 'Bots are created by users who have written special software to connect to IRC and act as normal users.

Basic Commands

Message Commands

• /say <msg>: To send a public message to the current channel you are on. By default, anything typed without a leading command are interpreted as public messages.
• /action <msg>: Instead of sending a public message saying "I run away", you can use the action message "runs away" which is specially displayed "*** <your-nick> runs away". Actions should be entered in the third person.
• /msg <recipient> <message>: This command will send a private message to a single user or a public message to a channel you are not on.
• /ignore <nick> +all: If you don't want to listen to any public or private messages from a particular user, use the ignore command.

Channel Commands

• /list: Used to list all current channels, this command is not recommended (showing hundreds of channels may take minutes).
• /join <channel>: This command will join an existing channel or create a new one with the given name. If you are on several channels at once, repeated join commands will let you change your current channel.
• /part (<channel> | *): When you are done communicating with a channel, this command lets you leave it. You will no longer receive public messages on that channel, and lose all channel operator privileges you had there.
• /names [<channel> | *]: This command displays a list of all users on the given (or current) channel. Using this command without parameters lists all users on IRC, and is not recommended.
• /who [<channel> | *]: This command displays a list of all users, and certain user information, for the given (or current) channel. Using this command without parameters lists all users on IRC, and is not recommended.
• /topic <channel> [<topic>]: To display the channel's topic, use the simple form. To change the channel's topic, enter a new one with the command.
• /kick <channel> <nick> [<msg>]: (Operator's only) Used to kick a user from a channel with an optional message. However, the command does not prohibit them from immediately rejoining the channel.
• /mode <channel> <params>: (Operator's only) A generic command for setting channel characteristics. This command has several available options, and multiple characteristics can be set or removed in groups of three. Typical forms include:
  • /mode <channel> [+o|-o] <user>: That grants or removes channel operator status for a user.
  • /mode <channel> [+b|-b] <pattern>: That sets or removes a channel ban for the given wild-card pattern. Such a pattern could ban a single nick, machine, or whole site from joining the channel.
  • /mode <channel> [+t|-t]: That locks or unlocks the current channel topic from change.
  • /mode <channel> [+k|-k] <key>: That makes a channel private (invite-only) or public, by using a password or key.
  • /mode <channel> [+i|-i]: That makes a channel private (invite-only) or public, without a password or key.

Client Commands

• /help [<command>]: This command provides general or specific help on commands and syntax.
• /whois <nick>: Displaying extra information on a particular user, the whois command shows you what server, client machine, and the idle time is for that user.
• /nick <new-nick>: If you want to change your nickname, use this command. If you have selected a nickname currently in use, you will be asked to choose another.
• /server <new-server>: Use this command to change the IRC server you have connected to. Typically, you will not need to do this. However, your IRC server may split from the network and all users not connected to that server will "fall out" (signoff abruptly). Rather than sit on an empty channel or server, try switching to a server still connected to the net. Both irc.colorado.edu and irc.uiuc.edu are good servers to try.
• /away [<away-msg>]: If you walk away from your computer or are doing other work that leaves your IRC session idle, mark yourself as being away. Users that send private messages to you will be notified that you are not paying attention. Use the simple form of the command to denote that you are no longer away.
• /mode <your-nick> <params>: A general command for setting just user information (in contrast to the channel mode comand). For example, to make yourself invisible to users who dont share a channel with you, try

  		/mode <your-nick> +i
  

• /quit [<msg>]: This command quits the IRC program and optionally displays a short signoff message to other users.
• /dcc <params>: A complex command for setting up private "client-to-client" sessions, for chatting or exchanging files with other users.

Customizing

setenv IRCNICK "<nick>"
setenv IRCNAME "<full-name>"
setenv IRCSERVER "pegasus.ccs.itd.umich.edu irc.uiuc.edu irc.colorado.edu"

/SET DISPLAY OFF

/COMMENT -- Simple Appearance Modifications
/SET AUTO_WHOWAS ON
/SET BEEP_MAX 2
/SET INDENT ON
/SET CONTINUED_LINE
/SET INPUT_PROMPT $T>
/SET SUPPRESS_SERVER_MOTD ON
/SET BOLD_VIDEO ON
/SET INVERSE_VIDEO ON
/SET UNDERLINE_VIDEO ON

/COMMENT -- More Appearance Modifications
/ON ^ACTION * ECHO $0 $2-
/ON ^SEND_ACTION * ECHO $N  $1-
/ON ^PUBLIC * ECHO <$0> $2-
/ON ^SEND_PUBLIC * ECHO > $1-
/ON ^MSG * ECHO *$0* => *$N* $1-
/ON ^SEND_MSG * ECHO *$N* => *$0* $1-
/ON ^NOTIFY_SIGNON * ECHO *** Signon: $0 $1
/ON ^NOTIFY_SIGNOFF * ECHO *** Signoff: $0
/ON ^NOTICE * ECHO *$0* $1-

/COMMENT -- Simple command shortcuts
/ALIAS REPLY MSG ,
/ALIAS CHOP MODE $C +o $0
/ALIAS DEOP MODE $C -o $0
/ALIAS BANS MODE $C +b
/ALIAS BAN MODE $C +b $0
/ALIAS UNBAN MODE $C -b $0

/IGNORE NICKSERV@SERVICE.DE +ALL
/SET DISPLAY ON

Other notes

Most users spend little time formatting their messages properly, and punctuation or spelling is often sacrificed for response time. Users may also use typical internet abbreviations to convey their messages, such as BBL (Be Back Later) and IMO (In My Opinion).

Although you can start a channel and become operator there, most active conversations occur on established channels dedicated to a certain topic or purpose. Unless you plan on starting (and publicizing) a new channel, or have agreed to meet with someone on a particular channel, then you should join and try out established channels. Some popular places include #twilight_zone (home of many IRC operators and good place to get help), #talk, #hottub, or #macintosh.