IRC Basics
IRC, short for Internet Relay Chat, is service that is provided through IRC servers. It allows chat rooms, or as they called in IRC, Channels, to be created and used by different groups of people for collaborative chat and discussion.
Clients
To connect to IRC, you will need some sort of client. A client is simply a program that runs on your computer. If you are using Firefox, I recommend the Firefox add-on called ChatZila. It is a light weight program that runs under Firefox. Additionally, mIRC has been called the best, however it is proprietary, you will be asked to pay for it if that is your choice.
Interface
All IRC clients have a simple interface, a text box for you to send messages, and a screen where you can view messages, but before you can start sending and reviving, we must learn how to connect to a network and join a channel.
Networks, Channels, Nicks
A network is simply a server (or a series of servers) that you connect to, using Freenode as an example, their IRC network can be accessed via irc.freenode.net. Your "nick" is just a nickname for yourself, this is how you are identified to other users in the channel. A channel is just a "Chat Room"; channel names begin with the number (#) sign, such as "#websyntax"
Lets connect to Freenode now.
- Open your IRC client and exit any setup wizards
- In your message box, type "/server irc.freenode.net" (without the quotes). It is very important that there is no space between the slash and the beginning of the text box.
- It should connect to the network. You might see something that looks similar to this if you are using ChatZilla:
(Click to view larger) - Once you connect to the network, you should choose a nickname with the following command: "/nick your-nick-name" Replace 'your-nick-name' with the nick you choose to have. If it is taken, the network will send a little message saying it is not registered, if it is registered, pick a new one.
- You can register your nickname by using this command: "/msg NickServ REGISTER password email@email.tld" Where "password" is replaced with your password, and "email@email.tld" is replaced with your email. Note: nobody except you can see this message, I will get into why later on.
- You should received in your email an activation command they ask you to enter. Follow their directions to complete the Nick registration process.
- You should be all set to go, now we will join a channel: "/join #websyntax" This will open the #websyntax channel on irc.freenode.net.
IRC Commands
Commands are how you use IRC, if you have been following the tutorial, you already used several. A command is the slash (/) followed by the command name. It is important not to have a space between the slash and the beginning of the text box, or the command will not work.
Lets go though a few basic commands:
* /msg nickname message - This will send a private message to "nickname" change it to whoever you want to send the message to, and change "message" to what you want the message to be. No other user will see this. This is also how you will communicate with Services.
* /me message - This will make it appear as if you are talking in the 3rd person. If I typed "/me is drinking coffee" IRC will show it to everyone as "Sam-T is drinking Coffee"
Services
IRC servers use bots to interface with users and channels. The ones you will get to know are NickServ (Nick-name Services) and ChanServ (Channel Services). ChanServ wont really be much interest to you unless you are registering a channel, but it is very common that this bot will be in many channels you visit. NickServ allows you to access your nickname services.
When you first an IRC network after being offline, you will need to identify yourself to NickServ. This like Logging In. Use this command: "/msg NickServ IDENTIFY password" replace password with your accual password, and NickServ will now know that you have identified yourself and you are who you claim to be.
