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IRC / XChat How-To What is IRC?IRC stands for Internet Relay Chat. IRC is a text based chatting protocol. You as a user chat through what is called an IRC client. The client is a program installed on your system and connects to an IRC network. A network is a group of servers connected to each other to manage the exchange of messages. Users connected to the same network can chat together even if each is connected to a different server as long as these servers belong to the same network. Each network has a group of what is called chat rooms or channels reaching to thousands of channels. If User-A joins a room, User-A be able to chat with all those who joined the same room in a conference fashion. As complicated as it might sound, it's actually very easy to use. Just bare with us to the end of this Howto. How is it different than other message programs, like ICQ, MSN Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger?When using any of the previously mentioned IM protocols you typically chat with individuals in private conversations. In order to start a conversation someone you must know his ICQ number / Hotmail email addresss / Yahoo! email address. With IRC, its different. Inorder to start a conversation you must know the room/channel you want to chat in. In the same way that you can search for individuals to chat with on (for example) ICQ , you can search for channels with topics of your interest to join on IRC. To wrap things up, previously mentioned protocols are used mainly for private conversations yet they support group chat rooms chatting, IRC on the other hand is mainly used for group chatting yet it supports private conversations.
Why should I bother with IRC?
IRC is a very popular way of asking for help concerning Linux & Open Source software. Forums are popular as well, but with forums you don't get real time response from the others. In an IRC channel you can ask a question and several users could walk you through your problem, as you provide feedback to them with your progress. The only drawback of such a method is that it's not publicly documented. Meaning that when you use a forum for asking about a specific problem others could later face the same problem , search the web for an answer and benefit from the replies you got. This is not the case with IRC. That's why you should be patient and polite when asking a question on IRC because many questions are asked over and over again making some people get bored answering them. IRC is also a way for developers to coordinate their work and its the the preferred way for Linux & Open Source software fans to just hang out and socialize.
So how do I get started?
You need to have an IRC client installed on your system. One that we recommend is XChat.
* Download and install that latest XChat for windows.
* Most linux distributions include it in their repositories, or already pre-installed by default.
* Use a web based IRC client, like ours!
Now What?
Now that you've downloaded and installed the latest XChat, its time to connect to a network.
* Start Xchat.
* You will be greeted with this window named "XChat: Network List". Choose a nickname for yourself, scroll down to Freenode.
* Edit Freenode to: irc.freenode.net/8001
* Close and then press Connect.
After you hit connect, the main chat window will appear. It may take a while for you to get connected. You'll see a bunch of information go flying by.
Now you're connected to the Freenode network.
You'll be presented with a window asking you to join a channel. You'll need to select the 2nd option, and make sure the channel name is #amarillolinux as the picture shows. Press Ok.
You're now chatting in #amarillolinux. To grab the attention of the user you're talking to type the first letter of his nickname then press tab to autocomplete his nickname.
To send a private message to a single user, right click on that users name in the userlist on the right. Choose "Open Dialog Window"
I can't install X-Chat! / I'm behind a firewall!
If you can't install an IRC client on your machine or you're behind a firewall, use our free Web IRC Client.
Just type a nickname of choice and then hit "Connect".
Register and Password Protect Your Nickname
You can register your nickname and password protect your online IRC identity for free.
1) Log into the chatroom as normal using the nickname you wish to register.
2) Enter the following message into chat:
/msg NickServ REGISTER password youremail@address
3) Replace password with a secure password and enter a legitimate email address.
*Note: The information passed between you and NickServ is only visible on your screen. Other chatters do not see this information.
4) You will receive an email from NickServ with instructions and a line of code that must be entered into the chatroom to confirm your email address.
5.1) The next time you log in with your nickname, you will be greeted with the following instructions:
NickServ - This nickname is owned by someone else
NickServ - If this is your nickname, type /msg NickServ IDENTIFY
Enter the following:
/msg NickServ IDENTIFY your password
5.2) If you are using XChat, you can enter your password in the "Nickserv password" box when you edit Freenode (as instructed above with "* Edit Freenode to: irc.freenode.net/8001").
To find more information, please visit the xchat faq.
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