GeorgeMcMullen.rxIRC/intro.helpirc

                       INTERNET RELAY CHAT
 
 
Author:  Robert D. Blais
Email:  <IO00058@Maine.maine.edu>
        <IO00058@Maine.Bitnet>
Revised:  27 February 1993
Version: 1.10
 
PURPOSE:  This document attempts to explain, in simple terms,
what IRC is and in general, how it is used. It is intended to
supply information for new users not familiar with IRC and to
serve as a reference for experienced users.
     Since there are many different programs on several different
operating systems, client-specific information has been left out.
Users should refer to the documentation that came with their IRC
program for information specific to using that client.
     Users may also wish to read the author's document "Standard
IRC Commands" for information about the commands mentioned in
this document.
 
CREDITS:  The information contained in this document has been
culled several sources, including the alt.irc group in Usenet
news and from the author's own experience using IRC.  In
addition, the following documents proved invaluable in the making
of this document:  "Alt.irc.faq" by Helen Rose <hrose@eff.org>,
"Internet Relay Chat, a real-time conversational system" by Karl
Kleinpaste <karl@cis.ohio-state.edu>, and "How To Behave on IRC"
by Lea Viljanen <viljanen@kreeta.helsinki.fi> and Ari Husa
<so-luru@tolsun.oulu.fi>.  Thanks to Kelly Derek Deyoe
<kd2a+@andrew.cmu.edu> for providing a list of countries and
their domain extensions.  Special thanks to Carl "LynX" von Loesch
for his help and suggestions.
 
I. HISTORY
 
     Internet Relay Chat (IRC) was originally written by Jarkko
Oikarinen <jto@tolsun.oulu.fi> in 1988 as a replacement for the
Unix "Talk" program.  It's purpose is to allow multiple users to
converse in real-time over the collection of networks known as
Internet.  It is based on the functionality of the Bitnet Relay
system but that functionality has been greatly expanded.
     From it's humble beginnings in Finland, IRC grew to become
the largest international, relayed conferencing system in the
world.  It is available in over 20 countries around the world and
has been host to over 1000 users at one time!  Countless thousands
of people, from college students to business executives have used
IRC and new users sign-on every day.
     The Internet is primarily for academic use.  IRC is a
communications layer of internet, and as such, it's main purpose
is academic use.  Many people depend on it as a tool for
exchanging information with colleagues, business associates and
fellow researchers.
 
II. CHANNELS
 
     IRC is divided up into virtual spaces called channels.  A
channel is a gathering place where people with a common interest
can get together and discuss whatever that interest may be.  A
channel does not exist until someone joins it and ceases to
exist when the last person leaves it.
 
A. Channel Names
 
     All channels on IRC have names.  A channel name can be just
about any single "word" of text preceded by a pound sign (#).
For example, #123, #My_channel, and #$$$ are all valid channel
names.  Examples of popular channels on IRC include #hottub,
#initgame, and #hotsex.
 
B. Creating A Channel
 
     To create a channel, simply join it either with the /join
or /channel command.  For example, to create the channel #Test
you would type /join #Test.
 
C. Leaving A Channel
 
     To leave a channel, issue the /part command.  For example,
to leave #Test you would type /part #Test.  Some clients will
automatically issue /part for you if you use the /channel
command, so check your program's documentation.
 
D. Multiple Channels
 
     Most IRC client programs allow you to be on several channels
at once.  Check your client's documentation for specific
information on using multiple channels.  Also, look for
information on the /, /msg, and /query commands.
 
E. Channel Operators
 
     The first person to join a channel is known as the Channel
Operator (ChanOp) and can determine certain aspects of the
channel, such as the number of people allowed on the channel and
whether the channel is public, private, secret, or invite-only.
A ChanOp can also delegate ChanOp privileges to other users on
the channel.  Look for information on the /mode command for
specifics about channel modes and ChanOp powers.
 
III. NICKNAMES
 
     All IRC users are identified by unique nicknames.  Duplicate
nicknames are not allowed by the IRC servers.
 
A. Changing Nicknames
 
     By default your nickname is your userid, but may be changed
with the /nick command.  Many clients also allow you to specify a
default nickname that will be used whenever you sign-on to IRC.
Check your client's documentation for specifics about setting a
default nickname.
 
B. Nickserv
 
     Many people register their nicknames with an on-line service
called Nickserv.  If you choose a nickname that is registered to
someone else, you will get a message from Nickserv telling you
who it is registered to.  If you get such a message, pick a new
nickname.  It is considered very rude to use someone else's
nickname and may cause confusion when other users mistake you for
their friend.
     For nickname registration information type the command
/msg nickserv@service.de help.  When you register a nickname,
Nickserv will ask you for a password. DO NOT USE YOUR LOGIN
PASSWORD.  IRC protocols are not completely secure and other
users may be able to get your Nickserv password.  Also, REMEMBER
YOUR NICKSERV PASSWORD.  You may need it if you ever want to
change your registered nickname or add a new host site to your
access list.
 
IV.  IRC OPERATORS
 
     The IRC Operators (IRCOps) are the people who maintain IRC.
They keep the servers running and up to date, keep the links
connected and routed properly, they answer questions from the
users, and they remove offensive users by way of the /kill
command.  IRCOps are indicated by an asterisk (*) next to their
nickname in /who and by the line "<nick> has a connection to the
Twilight Zone." in /whois.
     The best way to get help or information from IRCOps is to
join the IRCOp channel #Twilight_zone.  Once you are on the
channel, state your problem or question in a brief, specific,
polite manner and wait for a reply.  Usually you'll get a
response within a few minutes, but since many of the IRCOps have
responsibilities apart from IRC, they aren't always immediately
available.  If you don't get a reply in a reasonable amount of
time, try again later.
 
V. MESSAGES
 
     There are generally four types of messages you will see
while using IRC.  The four types are informational messages,
public messages, private messages, and notices.  Some clients may
also have a fifth type that gives information about things
happening within the program, such as when you add a user to the
/ignore list, but these messages are not normally sent over IRC.
 
A. Informational messages.
 
     Informational messages let you know something in the IRC
environment has changed.  When someone joins or leaves your
channel, changes the channel mode or topic, changes their
nickname, or makes some other such change you will see a message
informing you of the change.  The format of the message may vary
depending on what client you are running, but in general it will
look something like the following:
 
*** Bub joins channel #hottub
*** Mode change: Hoser sets #hottub +o Bub
 
B. Public Messages.
 
     Public messages are seen by everyone on the channel.
Everything you type to a channel shows up as a public message
with your nickname and the channel name displayed in angle
brackets before the message.  A public message looks like the
following:
 
<Bub:#hottub> Hello world!
  or
<Bub> Hello world!
 
C. Private Messages.
 
     Private messages are generally only seen by the person who
they are sent to.  The /msg and /query commands are used to send
private messages.  Private messages are displayed with the
sender's nickname between asterisks.  A private message would
look like the following:
 
*Bub* Thanks for Opping me, Hoser.
 
D. Notices
 
     Any automatic response, such as server messages, CTCP
(client to client protocol) replies, and robot replies MUST be in
the form of a notice.  Users can also send notices with the
/notice command, but this is not generally necessary.  A notice
will generally be shown with the sender's nickname and channel
between dashes and might look like the following:
 
-Bubserv:#hottub- Bub sends a beer to Hoser.
-Bubserv:#hottub- /msg Bubserv help  for help on using Bubserv.
 
VI. SERVERS
 
     IRC servers are programs that relay the messages and
commands that you type to other servers and users on the network.
When you first compile or use an IRC program, you will probably
have to give it a server to use.  You should normally use the
closest (network-wise) server to you.  However, some servers
limit what hosts are allowed to connect to them.
     Lists of servers are frequently posted in the Usenet news
group alt.irc.  If you don't have access to that group and can't
find a server, try one of the following servers and once you get
on, ask an IRCOp which server in your area you should use.
 
Open servers by country:
     Australia:    coombs.anu.edu.au
     Canada:       ug.cs.dal.ca
     Finland:      nic.funet.fi
     Germany:      irc.informatik.tu-muenchen.de
     Netherlands:  fysak.fys.ruu.nl
     U.S.A.:       csd.bu.edu
                   ucsu.colorado.edu
 
     Information about a specific server can be obtained by using
the /admin, /info, /motd, and /version commands.  If you have a
problem with a particular server the /admin command will give you
the email address of the person(s) in charge of it.  The other
commands give you information about the server itself, such as
the software version and the MOTD (Message of the Day).
 
VII. BEHAVIOR AND ETIQUETTE
 
     IRC is a good place to learn about other people, places, and
cultures, to exchange information and ideas, and to meet people.
If everyone follows some basic, common-sense rules of behavior
and etiquette, IRC can be an enjoyable and informative way to use
some of your free time.
 
A. Language
 
     English is the most widely spoken language on IRC but it is
not the only language.  Often the channel name or topic will give
you some idea of the language spoken on that channel but this is
not always the case.  A user's hostname extension usually gives
an indication of where that user is from and thus, the language
he or she is likely to speak.  For example, someone whose
user@host name ends in .jp is most likely speaks Japanese, whereas
someone whose user@host name ends in .fi most likely speaks
Finnish.  A list of common domain extensions, by country, is shown
below.
 
 Country      Domain Extension
Austria:            .at
Australia:          .au
Belgium:            .be
Canada:             .ca
Switzerland:        .ch
Chile:              .cl
Czechoslovakia:     .cs
Germany:            .de
Denmark:            .dk
Spain:              .es
Finland:            .fi
France:             .fr
Ireland:            .ie
Israel:             .il
Iceland:            .is
Italy:              .it
Japan:              .jp
Korea:              .kr
Mexico:             .mx
Netherlands:        .nl
Norway:             .no
New Zealand:        .nz
Poland:             .pl
Sweeden:            .se
Singapore:          .sg
Taiwan:             .tw
United Kingdom:     .uk
United States:      .us
South Africa:       .za
Other:              .com  (Commercial business)
                    .edu  (Educational institution)
                    .gov  (Government organization)
                    .mil  (Military installation)
                    .org  (Non-profit organization)
                    .net  (Network administration)
 
     It is a good idea to do a /who on a channel before you join
so you can get an idea of what language might be spoken on that
channel. If the channel consists mostly of people from Finland
and you don't speak Finnish, you probably won't find the channel
very interesting.  Also, your own channel name or topic should
indicate what language is spoken on your channel, especially if
it is not English.
 
B. Dumping and Flooding
 
     Dumping large amounts of text or graphics to a channel or a
user is considered rude and is not allowed.  It is a waste of
bandwidth and can cause anyone on a slow modem connection to be
jammed for several minutes. Also, the text or graphics that you
find amusing is likely to be quite annoying to other users who
are trying to carry on a conversation.
 
C. Morality
 
     Since IRC is composed of users from all over the world, with
many different backgrounds, different levels of maturity, and
different religious and moral standards, a good rule of thumb is
think before you type.  If you wouldn't say something in front of
your boss, teachers, parents, or in other social situations, you
shouldn't say it on IRC.  By the same token, be tolerant of other
users.  Not all of them have the same views and morals as you and
what is offensive to you might not be to them.
 
D. General Behavior
 
     People on IRC have no other way of judging you than by your
actions and messages.  Rude, obnoxious, and offensive behavior is
not tolerated and may get you banned from a channel or /killed
from IRC altogether.  If your offenses are great enough, your
local system administrators may be notified and you may lose your
computer account or face other disciplinary actions.
     Not everyone using IRC is interested in chatting.  More
specifically, not everyone on IRC is interested in chatting with
YOU.  Some people use IRC as part of their normal work to be
available to colleagues who might need to reach them quickly.
Other people use IRC for discussion of certain topics of interest
to them.  If you don't have anything to contribute to the topic
on a particular channel, don't interrupt and try to start a new
topic.  Start a new channel to discuss your topic.
     If you send a message to someone or invite them to your
channel, don't assume they are interested in talking to you.  If
someone doesn't respond, they may be away from their terminal or
may be too busy to reply.  If someone indicates that they aren't
interested in talking to you, leave them alone.  Badgering
someone or sending them unwanted messages wastes their time and
yours.  You're better off finding someone else to chat with.
 
--
NOTE:  This document is hereby placed in the public domain.  If
you copy it, please attribute the source.  If you modify it,
please note who you are, what changes you made and the date of
those changes in the document header.  Take the credit you
deserve, but give credit where it is due.  Thanks.