Ok so you want to get on IRC. Good!! Great place to be. This guide was written for the person that has never used IRC and has no idea how to get on. These are simple, basic instructions for setting a nickname and connecting to a network and channel. Although you can get to IRC with emule, I must recommend a script. For starters lets use the basic mIRC script which is available for free at www.mirc.com . Once you get it and get it installed, open it up and go up to file, then options
You will need to make a nickname and an alternate nickname (nick) and insert it the fields provided. Later we値l learn how to register that nick. You will also need to put something in the full name and email address fields; you can use whatever you want (for instance, for the name put none and email address put none@none.org). Above the button that says Connect to IRC Server you can go in and find different servers to connect to. But this can also be done manually if you know the server name. Ok, now you got your nickname and alternate nickname set hit OK and the window will close. Look for the status button. Click it and this window will open up. Notice in the field of the status window, we manually type the server we want to get on. In this case we値l use rod.liquidirc.com so you値l want to type /server irc.stormchat.org (all IRC commands start with / , like /join, or /server, or /msg.
After you type in the server command just hit enter. After it connects you値l see a bunch of stuff scroll in the status window, you値l know it痴 connected if the little lightning bolt at the top left appears broken. It will also say what network you are connected to on top of the status window. Now in the status window type the syntax to join a channel, which is /join #ad_buddies (the # symbol means channel, in this case we are using the channel #ad_buddies) so you値l want to type /join #ad_buddies and the channel will open.
OK so now you got yourself on IRC, now we want to register that nickname with nickserv so you can keep it. In any window, status or the channel you池e in (doesn稚 matter because you are using a command so it wont go in the channel) type this to register your nickname /msg nickserv REGISTER password email address -- replace password with a password for your nick, and replace email address with an email address. The word register must be in all caps. You値l get a message telling you that your nick has been registered with nickserv and to remember your password. So next time you sign on to that network, it will remember you if you keep the same nick. No one will be able to take that nickname unless they know that password. Every time you sign on to a network you致e registered with, you値l get a message saying that your nickname is registered and you need to identify or nickserv will change your nick for you to something generic. You will need to type this command to identify to nickserv /msg nickserv IDENTIFY password, but replace password with your password. But this is a pain to have to do every time you sign on so we need to set up the script to automatically identify to nickserv when you sign.. Go back up to file, then perform , anything you want to happen when you join can be put in here. So you値l want to type /msg nickserv IDENTIFY password make sure to have the enable box checked or it wont work. When you connect to the network, in the status window you値l get a message saying Nickserv password accepted you are now recognized.
You can also use this area to automatically join channels when you sign on, just put the same command you壇 use for joining a channel in here and it will do it when you sign on to the network. Ok that痴 about it, you池e on IRC, you got a registered nick, and you値l identify to nickserv when you sign on. Any more info can be obtained from the channel you値l get in to following this guide, there are a lot of Afterdawn users in there to help you out, plus there will be an advanced guide coming soon.
Here are some points to remember;
1. All IRC commands start with /
2. You can PM someone in a channel by double clicking on their name in the right side of the screen, it will open a PM window.
3. If you don稚 set up to auto identify and you致e registered your nick, your nick will be changed by nickserv within 1 minute of signing on.
4. Some of the users in the channel have the @ symbol in front of their nicks, these are the channel operators and they have the power to kick and/or ban you from the channel, and just like the moderators on Afterdawn, never argue with an Op.
5. Someone with the ! symbol in front of their nick is the channel founder, and has more power than the Ops.
6. Most networks now are moderated by Chanserv, which protects from flooding and other attacks.
7. Once you池e on IRC, you can make your own channels anytime by simply joining it, like /join #my_own_channel.
This guide should get you going, but if not, feel free to post any questions you may have, but please read all of this guide first.
Enjoy!