It is recommended that you learn the basics:

• All commands begin with a forward slash ("/") on the line

• All channels begin with the pound sign ("#")

• No, you can't use "-" at the start of your nick - it conflicts with some basic UNIX commands

• Yes, IRC is a UNIX medium. With Windows or Mac, the application is covering over the UNIX, thus making it easy for you to navigate.

Most of you have or will have pulldown menus at your disposal. But to use IRC most efficiently, you'll find that most of the commands below are faster just to type out instead of taking the time to move your hand from the keyboard to the mouse and opening a window or menu to select a command option screen.

• To join a channel, type /join #[channelname]

• To leave a channel in a Windows-type, either close that box or /part #[channelname]. IRCii users /leave #[channelname]

• To talk in a channel, simply type the words and press enter

  /nick [nickname]
  

  Yes, most IRC applications allow you to enter your name in a setup window prior to logging on. But there will be times when you will have to change your nickname on channel, be it out of necessity or for fun. It's good to know how for those instances.

  Note to IRCii users: If you wish to change to a long nickname on those networks which allow you more than the conventional 9-character limit, then your command will be /quote nick [nickname].

  /msg [nick]
  

  To speak with someone discretely, with "nick" of course being whatever nickname of the person you wish to speak to. Often in a Windows-type application a separate box will appear and you can speak with them by typing in this box. WARNING: Getting carried away with messaging people may result in the channel box being covered up! Most programs give you the option of viewing private messages in the channel (or "active") window.

  /me [action]
  

  One of the beauties of IRC is that even though it is a text medium, its users may choose to create an atmosphere or setting by way of describing their setting or actions. A descriptive line will appear as follows:

  Command:
  

  "/me sure digs that seafood platter Essex made!"

  What people see:
  

  "* CaptBlood sure digs that seafood platter Essex made!"

  
  

  /ping [nick]
  

  /ping #[channelname]
  

  Ping measures the time in seconds your output takes to reach another and back again. It is IRC's radar, and naturally the smaller the number which comes back the better (the result appears either in your status box or active window). The above commands are rather self explanatory. See more about pings on the IRC No-no's page.

  /server [name.of.server] [port number]
  For Windows-type clients the most common procedure to change servers is to call up an option box with a scrolling menu from which to select. Why bother? Simply type the command manually as do IRCii users.

  PORTS:
  If you indicate the server name only, then the default port your application will take is 6667. This may work for Efnet and a few other Networks, but for Dalnet the common port used is 7000. Make a habit of using this manual command rather than the options box under Setup.

  It might also be in your best interest to set your Personal Modes.
  

Captain Blood Recommends...     This is the ultimate book about IRC. It was written from the point of view of a UNIX user, and is invaluable for shell account setup and scripting. Explanation of commands, how IRC works, and cyberspace society make this a great book for mIRC, etc users as well. THIS BOOK RULES!

Contents © D. DAVID