IRC tutorial

Before you even get started on reading this, make sure you have firewall and antivirus software installed.
Don't say I didn't warn you.

Introduction

This tutorial is specifically for the Undernet IRC network. Some features on this network aren't necessarily on other networks, and features on other networks aren't necessarily available here.

Now that we've got that out of the way...

The Basics

What do I need to connect?

To access the Undernet IRC network, you'll first need an IRC client. Text clients include ircII, BitchX, epic, and sirc. Graphical clients include xchat for Unix and GNU/Linux, mIRC for Windows and Colloquy for Mac. Finally, regardless of your OS of choice, if you are browsing the Internet with Mozilla, you may use the ChatZilla plug-in. Packages for various IRC clients may be included on your operating system install CDs and links to web sites for the client software can be found here.

How do I connect?

Once you have a client, you'll need a server. You can simply use irc.undernet.org to reach the main rotation of servers; or, you can find a more geographically-local server here.

But I'm having problems connecting!

After you've obtained your client and the name of a server, you may still need a bit of help in getting connected. Take a look at this tutorial or this IRC primer on irchelp.org, which contains a variety of other useful information as well.

About the network services

Nickname Registration

There is no nickname registration.

Just in case I need to say it again: There is no nickname registration.

Username Registration

This allows you to cloak your host in the form of "yourusername.users.undernet.org".

Simply visit http://cservice.undernet.org/live and register. You can't be using a free e-mail service like Gmail, Hotmail or Yahoo.

Registering your username will also allow you to be added to a channel's access list - for example, if you are a regular in a channel and they give out +'s (voices) to regular users.

Note: You only have to register your username once. Every other time you connect from that point on, you need to login to X to prove who you are, with this command: /msg x@channels.undernet.org login yourusername password

Some IRC clients allow you to set performs (this is: command or commands that will automatically be performed on connect) so this would be an ideal command to put in your perform list. On mIRC, you can find the perform list at: File | Select Server.. | Options | Perform

There are some other options you can set (as well as privacy options), you might want to make your host and other information invisible to others by typing: /msg x set invisible on

Setting your IRC client to log you in upon connect

I can't answer for all IRC clients, but if you have mIRC, you can do this:

1. Go to File, Select Server, Options, Perform
2. Go to Network, click Add, find 'Undernet' in the list and click OK.
3. In the Perform Commands section, add:
   • /msg x@channels.undernet.org login yourusername yourpassword
   • /mode $me +x
4. Click OK as many times as you need to get out of the menus and you're all done.

IRC Client Settings

• The realname (or Full Name) field can be set to anything you want.
• The ident setting should ideally be turned on, and again set to anything you want.

Don't use IRC as root/admin. If you do this and something bad happens, don't moan at us for not warning you.

Help! I want to send a file to someone and it's not working!

We can help you with that too. We also have a tutorial which will answer all your questions only if you're running mIRC for Windows (sorry if you're not).

But I'm not running Windows!

Then I can't help you very much except to say: You have to define a portrange in your IRC client, add an exception in any firewall software you may be using and allow that portrange in your router.

Huh? What did you say?

Just go to portforward.com & ask them for help.

What are some basic commands?

Here are some basic commands for IRC: (as taken from Wikibooks)

Any further questions?

If you have any additional questions, please ask them at #GayGeeks IRC channel and we will be happy to help you.