IRC FAQ
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There are 4 Sections Navigation, Information Commands, Nickserv Commands, and Questions
/server *server address* This command instructs the IRC client to connect to the address specified (server name without the "()")
/server -m *server address* Exact same as above however instructs the client to perform the action in a new window, allowing you to be connected to multiple IRC networks at once (same note as above).
NOTE: the "/server -m" command seems to be limited to Devilz version 3.x and version 4.x and may not be supported anymore.
/join #roomname Instructs the client to join "#roomname". Please note: All channels in IRC will have the "#" sign infront.
/part Instructs the client to leave the current channel.
/part #roomname Same as above but specifically names the channel to leave.
/quit leaves all rooms and disconnects you from the server.
/nick *newnick* Changes your current nick to the nickname specified. Example: /nick Schmuck
/whois *nickname* Asks the server for info on the nickname specified. one example Example: /whois Schmuck
/list This instructs the client to retrieve the list of all active channels on a network and lists them alphabetically by the number of people in a particular channel (I.E. all the channels with 3 people in them will be listed alphabetically, same with 4,5,6, etc...)
NOTE: The following commands only work on networks that have nickname services (see question below). All commands are done with out the "*" marks
/msg nickserv info *nickname* Requests information about the "owner" of the nickname specified.
/msg nickserv register *password* This command allows you to reserve a nickname for your use. Be sure to save the password you used!!! (used below)
/msg nickserv identify *password* This command tells nickserv that you are the "owner" of the nickname in question. Uses the same password you typed when you first reserved the nick (see above).
/msg nickserv set password *new password* This command changes your password should your password become discovered or you accidentally past your password into a room. Note: you must successfully use the identify command before you can use this command.
/msg nickserv drop *password* Instructs nickserv to remove your nick from the list of reserved nicknames there by freeing it up for anyone's use.
/msg nickserv ghost *nickname* *password* Instructs nickserv to forcibly disconnect the nickname specified from the server (password you used must match the password set for the nickname, no action takes place if you get it wrong).
Q: How do I perform all these commands you just listed?
A: Just type in the text you see in THIS COLOR into your IRC client's chat window. Please exempt all "*" marks. For words with in the asterisk (or "*" marks) replace that part with the appropriate nickname, server address, or password as specified by the command description.
Note to people using Gnucleus's IRC chat client. This is a very striped down IRC client. Some of the responses to the commands will appear in the "raw IRC" window (it will be listed in the left window of Gnucleus's chat client). For a list of recommended IRC clients, see the bottom of my IRC Page (dragon5.ath.cx). irc.freenode.net is the address of the server the gnucleus client goes to and #gnucleus is the room.
Q: I get the message when I join a network:
"-NickServ- This nickname is owned by someone else. If this is your nickname, type /msg NickServ IDENTIFY <password>"
What's going on?
A: Let me introduce you to "nickserv". This is a service program that can be added to IRC networks in order to allow users to reserve nicknames for their use. Through commands to nickserv users can reserve a nickname and remove a person who is using the nickname with out permission. When presented with this situation its best just to change your nick (or identify if you are the "owner" of the nick).
You can use the /msg nickserv info command above to see if the user has been online recently. In most cases if the owner hasn't been online for a month or more you can asks a network staff person to free the nickname so you can then reserve the nick for your use.
Q: Help! I successfully registered my nick with nickserv and even identified, however I keep getting forcibly disconnected from the server every time I connect!
A: Unfortunately someone has either guessed the password you used for your nick or copied it down when you may have accidentally posted the password in a channel. If you can stay on long enough, change your nickname's password to something else to prevent the other person from stealing your nick. See /msg nickserv set password *new password* command above
This can be very important if you have started a channel or two as this person now can get the rights to YOUR CHANNEL and can now take it away from you. Guard your password with your life, never post it in channel and if you ever do on accident change the password right away. Also never use your nickname password for chanserv commands (chanserv is a service to help channel owners with governing).
Q: What are the meaning of the funny symbols in front of some of the nicks?
A: The "funny symbols" denote who in the channel have governing rights or extra privileges.
the symbols and their meanings are:
"@" denotes OP: Can kick and or ban anyone he pleases as well as change channel modes. Indeed he is the king of the chan
"%" denotes HalfOP: Can still kick and or ban anyone (except ops in some cases) and change channel modes.
"+" denotes voiced: can't kick, ban, or change channel modes, but can still talk when the channel is moderated (+m). Voiced may also have extra privileges but this depends upon the individual channel.
If you have a question that isn't answered here or in other IRC faq's: email your question to me and I'll post my response here. If your question is about how a network or channel is run, ask the channel op or network staff as they'll be more adept to answer your question than me.
