Expert: delimiter - 1/30/2005

Question
hello sir,
I am using LINUX 9.
Can u pls give me the exact steps to be followed to chat in IRC..
Like choosing channels,networks,etc..
Thank U..


Answer
-



---------------------------
Hello kannan :-)

The question you have asked is one with quite a wide spectrum of possible answers...

First of all, by "Linux 9", you probably mean Redhat Linux 9, am I right? Well, there is an IRC client specifically written for Linux (and other Unix-like operating systems) and Windows as well, that is probably the easiest to use without giving up much-needed functionality...

That client is called the X-Chat IRC client. It is an Internet Relay Chat client developed specifically for use with the X server (X.org or XFree86).

Now... I don't use Redhat Linux on my system, but I have Mandrake Linux 10.1 Official. BUT... I can almost garuantee you 100% that both operating systems already have it. Many Linux distributions have it by default. It probably comes with your Linux on the install discs (CDs) (if you have them). Otherwise, Xchat can be downloaded for free from its own website:

  http://www.xchat.org/

If you have it on the Install CD's / DVD, you can use the RPM package manager to install it, or you can download the source code from their website, compile it, and install it yourself. If you take the latter option, don't worry this isn't really too hard to do. Xchat.org have plenty of instructions on their website, on how to accomplish this easy task. (http://www.xchat.org/compiling/)


Okay... so let's just assume for a moment you now have the Xchat IRC client installed on your Linux system. You would probably find it in the "start-menu" (the Gnome foot or the KDE logo in the lower left corner on my system). On my system, I have it under "Internet -> Chat -> Xchat 2.4.1". This may differ on your system, but the principle is the same.

Also be reminded that you really need an Internet connection for chat, but you probably already have that all set up, otherwise you probably couldn't have sent me this question :-P

Now, open up Xchat by clicking it on the menu. If you can't find it in the menu, but you are certain that it IS already installed on your system, maybe you'd find it under the /usr/bin/xchat directory (folder). Or you could also search for the ./xchat binary executable file, by doing a "locate" or "find" command in your terminal shell. To find out more about how these commands work, you can type "man find" or "man locate" to view the manual page entries. To quit viewing a manual page entry press "Q".

Okay now let's assume you have Xchat started. When Xchat starts up for the first time, you are presented with a dialog window asking your nickname, an alternative nickname, and a third choice of nickname. A nickname is a name that people know you by on IRC. You can make these anything you want. The second nickname is a name, in case the first one has already been taken by someone else, and the third one is in case the second one has already been taken.

Your username can also be anything you want it to be, but you can usually just make it the same as your first choice of nickname. Your real name is your real name, but you don't really have to put in your real name there. You can always put in something fake to protect your real identity.

The networks section is the list of networks you can choose from that you want to chat on. As you can see there are many, many, many IRC networks you can choose from to connect to. There are even more networks out there than is listed in this list by default. If you know about a network that is not listed in this list, you can add it manually.

Let's assume for a moment that you want to chat on the same network as I do, then you will want to add the following two networks to the list: Lagnet.org.za, and Exposed.za.net. To add them, click on "Add" now. (Remember, these steps should be done ONE time for each network you wish to add sperately.)

You will immediately be presented a space to type in the new name at the very top of the list. Just start by typing in "Lagnet.org.za" and press <Enter>. Now the new network is defined by name, but it doesn't yet contain a server list inside it. So you will have to define some servers for it. With the Lagnet.org.za network highlighted in the list, click on "Edit".

Now a new window appears. This is the server list editor for a selected network. In this case it's the Lagnet.org.za network. In the new list is a server listed called: "newserver/6667". As you probably may already have guessed, this is not a real server. It doesn't exist, so you will have to rename it. While it is highlighted, click on "Edit" beside it (on the right). You can now immediately start to type the DNS name (and port number) of an existing server for it in there. I use the "mystery.lagnet.org.za/6667" server. But there are also other servers for the Lagnet.org.za network.

They are:

 mystery.lagnet.org.za
 lancre.lagnet.org.za
 dragon.lagnet.org.za

___________________________________________________
(                                                   )
( The servers for the "exposed.za.net" network are: )
(                                                   )
(   asylum.exposed.za.net                           )
(   dsn.exposed.za.net                              )
(   phoenix.exposed.za.net                          )
(                                                   )
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Now... after typing in the DNS name (and port number) of the new server you are adding, you can either add more server to the list, or just leave it as it is with just one server. The "/6667" at the end of each entry is for the TCP/IP port number the server is listing for connections on. Don't worry if you don't know how they work. Most of the time the port is always 6667.

When you have added all the new servers you want to the new network, you can set some more options. Still on the "server list" window, there a checkbox underneath saying "connect to the selected server only". You don't have to change this option. You can leave it as it is. And most of the other options too. The only options you may need to still modidy here is "connect to this server at startup" (check it).

Then... enter some channel names in the "channels to join" list that you wish to chat in. I am usually on "#smoke_room,#flirtzone,#immortal,#watkykjy". If your nickname is registered on the network and you have the password for it, you can fill it in where "Nickserv password" is. If the server itself is protected with a password and you know it, fill it in at "Server password". But the Lagnet.org.za servers doesn't use server passwords. Only Nickserv passwords and Chanserv passwords. Don't worry about Chanserv passwords for now.

The options are now set and you are ready to chat. Click OK. But wait!!! After clicking OK, there is one more option to set (at the network list window). While the network list window is still open, there is a checkbox option at the bottom which says: "Skip server list on startup". Make sure it is checked. Now you can click "Connect".

If you get some error when you try to connect to the Lagnet.org.za network, make sure about your proxy server settings. If you DO use a proxy, you can fill in these settings at the "Settings" menu --> "Preferences" --> "Network setup". I can't tell you what these settings should be, as you have to obtain them from your network administrator or ISP. Most ISP's don't require you to use a proxy server for IRC, but if they do, you can fill in the details in there.

After a successfull connect you will probably see many stuff spewed out on the status window. When I connect to Lagnet.org.za I get this on my status window:

===========================================================
* Identd request from 196.38.17.120
-
[20:27:38] -mystery.lagnet.org.za- *** Looking up your hostname...
-
[20:27:38] -mystery.lagnet.org.za- *** Checking Ident
-
* Identd replied: 4625, 6667 : USERID : UNIX : earthdust
-
[20:27:38] -mystery.lagnet.org.za- *** Found your hostname
-
[20:27:38] -mystery.lagnet.org.za- *** Got Ident response
-
Welcome to the LagNet IRC Network roadkill_a!earthdust@tpr-165-243-187.telkomadsl.co.za
Your host is mystery.lagnet.org.za[@0.0.0.0], running version bahamut-1.4(35)+LagNet
This server was created Tue Oct 21 2003 at 17:11:32 SAST
mystery.lagnet.org.za bahamut-1.4(35)+LagNet oOiwscrkKnfydaAbgheFxXj biklLmMnoprRstvc
NOQUIT WATCH=128 SAFELIST MODES=6 MAXCHANNELS=10 MAXBANS=100 NICKLEN=30 TOPICLEN=307 KICKLEN=307 CHANTYPES=# PREFIX=(ov)@+ NETWORK=LagNet SILENCE=10 CASEMAPPING=ascii CHANMODES=b,k,l,ciLmMnOprRst are available on this server
-
There are 18 users and 489 invisible on 5 servers
10 IRC Operators online
129 channels formed
I have 165 clients and 1 servers
-
Current local users: 165 Max: 346
Current global users: 507 Max: 616
-
[20:27:38] -mystery.lagnet.org.za- *** Notice -- motd was last changed at 26/10/2003 10:08
-
[20:27:38] -mystery.lagnet.org.za- *** Notice -- Please read the motd if you haven't read it
-
Message of the Day, mystery.lagnet.org.za
-
- -------------------------------------------------------
-         LagNet IRC Server - mystery.lagnet.org.za         
- -------------------------------------------------------
-  Admin:          Warlock    <warlock@lagnet.org.za>
-   
-  Web Page:   http://www.lagnet.org.za
-  Java Chat:  http://java.lagnet.org.za
-  IRC Server: irc.lagnet.org.za:6667
- ---------------------- RULES ----------------------
-  1. No Harrassing Users (Swearing,Sexually Harrassing)
-  2. No Flooding,Cloning,Mass Messaging, Mass Invites, etc
-  3. No Sex ,Warez, MP3 or Hacking Channels
-  4. No unsolicited advertising
-  5. You must display a valid e-mail address
-  6. No Bots, Clones,War,Fserv or Nuking Tools/Scripts
-  7. No Ops Begging  
-  8. No Promotion of ILLEGAL Activities (drugs, etc)
-  9. Nuking is Forbidden on this network, nukers will
-     be k-lined on sight
- 10. No Distribution of Illegal Software or Child Pornography
- 11. Socks Proxies, EZBounce,Vhosts, BNC's etc are forbidden
-     and will be k-lined
- 12. Please choose a nick that is not obscene or rude
- 13. No users under the age of 12 are allowed to chat here
- 14. Anyone found contravening these rules will be k-lined
-     with or without warning.
- 15. No discrimination of any sort will be tolerated, this
-     includes sexual and racial discrimination.
- 16. If you don't like these rules - LEAVE !!
- 17. By connecting to this server, you agree to abide
-     by the above rules
- ------------------- [Disclaimer] --------------------
- The server administrators reserve the right to allow or disallow
- connections to this IRC server and network, without prior
- notification and without justification and to act in any way
- they see fit against individuals or organisations abusing the
- network, its resources or of its users in any way.
-         ....---===[ Welcome to LagNet ]===---....
End of /MOTD command.
-
[20:27:41] -mystery.lagnet.org.za- *** Notice -- This server runs an open proxy monitor to prevent abuse.
-
[20:27:41] Local host: tpr-165-243-187.telkomadsl.co.za (165.165.243.187)
[20:27:41] -mystery.lagnet.org.za- *** Notice -- If you see connections on various ports from irc.lagnet.org.za
-
[20:27:41] -mystery.lagnet.org.za- *** Notice -- please disregard them, as they are the monitor in action.
-
[20:27:41] -mystery.lagnet.org.za- *** Notice -- For more information please visit http://www.lagnet.org.za/wingate.htm
-
[20:27:41] * roadkill sets mode: +i
[20:27:41] -LagNet- [Logon News - Nov 26 2003] LagNet checks for Open Socks and Wingate Proxys - If you see a connection attempt to ports 23 and 1080 from starlight.chat.za.net[196.4.161.7] or mystery.lagnet.org.za[196.44.1.12] or dragon.lagnet.org.za[192.96.177.7]; it is not a nuke
[22:02:19] -NickServ- This nickname is registered and protected.  If it is your nickname, type /msg NickServ IDENTIFY password.  Otherwise, please choose a different nickname.
[22:02:19] -NickServ- If you do not change within one minute, I will change your nickname.
[20:27:41] -> *nickserv* identify mypasswordisveryeasy
[22:02:25] -NickServ- Password accepted -- you are now recognized.

===========================================================

Now this is a lot of information, but you probably don't have to read it all. This is just some status information, and is usually juut displayed in the status window. Server notices, /whois replies and stuff like that are usually sent to the status window. Check these out from time to time. Just make sure you understand and accept the rules of the network before you chat on it. The network/server rules are usually displayed in the MOTD of the server in the status window, when you connect to selected IRC network.

Okay, now, if you haven't already joined any channels/rooms on the network you are connected to right now, you can do so now. After joining a channel/room, you can start chatting. Do this by typing /join #channelname. Replace "#channelname" with the name of the channel/room you want to join. Remember, always put a # in front of the channel name. This helps Xchat to know the difference between channel (room) names and nicknames. Check out #hottub. This channel is on many networks, but not all of the networks.

After joining a channel, you will see a lot of words and stuff. This is all of the people chatting. Start by typing "hello everyone" <Enter>. You are now officially chatting!

Remember, if you like lagnet.org.za, you can stay there and chat, but there are also many other IRC networks to choose from. To choose another IRC network, click on the "X-Chat" menu at the top, then "Server List".

You can set other preferences and settings at the "Settings" ---> "Preferences" menus at the top of the main X-Chat window.

If none of these instruction helped you at all, please notify me, I'll be glad to help you personally. Send me an e-mail to delimiter@despammed.com if you need more help on this.

Regards.

delimiter


----------------------------

-