IRC stands for Internet Relay Chat, written by Jarkko Oikarinen (jto@tolsun.oulu.fi). In a nutshell, IRC consists of a network of computers (servers) that are connected to each other via the internet or a LAN, and allow users with proper client software to connect and chat with each other. Within this network, virtual space is divided up into channels, usually with a topic of conversation, where users can talk in groups. Terms You Might Encounter ************************* IRC Terms ========= Action CTCP Action command, executed by a /me at the beginning of a message. Ban A channel mode set in order to prevent a user or group of users from joining a channel. Bot Short for Robot, a Bot is a script that acts like a user, and can execute a command upon a certain occurance. Client Software that is written for the purpose of connecting to a server, in this case, an IRC server. Channel A group of users on IRC. A channel will have a name (i/e, #IRC), and may or may not have a topic of conversation. Channel Mode The properties of a channel that allow or disallow certain activities. Channel Modes can only be changed or set by Channel Operators. Invite Only If active, This mode allows users to join if they have been invited by someone in the channel. Private If active, the channel is invisible in the global channel list. Limit If active, Sets a limit on the number of users allowed to join a channel. Moderated If active, only Channel Operators and users with voice may type input to the channel. No Messaging If active, prevents users from sending a message to the channel until they have joined it. Secret If active, the channel is invisible until it is joined. Topic Protection If active, only Channel Operators may set or change the topic of a channel. Channel Operator (aka, Op) A user who has control over a channel. A user who creates a channel is given Op status, and in turn can give it to anyone else in the channel. Chat Network A network of computers that are interconnected so that anyone on any server in the network may chat with anyone else on any computer in that same network. some major chat networks: ARCnet Amiga Relay Chat Network. Note that this is not a real IRC network and has its own client, but IRC clients can connect here, with some limitations. EFnet Eris Free Network. The largest IRC network. DAL-Net A different IRC network with some specialized functons that do not appear in typical IRC networks. Undernet An alternative IRC network Innernet Another alternative network. Command A message to an IRC server or to a local or remote client. Commands generally begin with a /. See Commands. CTCP Client To Client Protocol, A standard for sending commands from one client to another, usually for the purpose of getting information from the remote client. See CTCP. DCC Direct Client Connection - a standard for creating a direct link between two clients, for the purpose of sending or receiving files, or to carry a more secure conversation. See DCC. Efnet (Eris Free), the largest and "main" IRC network, with an average of about 5000 users on any given day. Identd Identd Is software that can be run on the client, allowing an IRC server to corroberate the identity of a client. IRC Internet Relay Chat - Any Network of Computers that run IRC servers for the purpose of allowing users to connect to it using client software made for IRC. Kick The occurance of a user being removed from a joined channel by a channel operator. MOTD Message Of The Day, A message that may or may not be updated daily, that is meant to be read when connecting to an IRC server. Netsplit An event that occurs when a server goes down that other servers depend on for network packets. Any servers that are dependant on the crashed server will split from the net, that is, they will still be up and running, with active clients, but any clients on the other side of the crashed unit will appear to have all logged off at once. Nick Short for Nickname, this is an alias that you may pick for yourself. Op See Channel Operator. Server A computer that is Running IRC server software, allowing it to be connected to by IRC clients or other servers. Server Operator A person in control of an IRC server. TLA (Three Letter abreiviations) commonly used acronyms, not entirely restricted to 3 letters. AFAIK As Far As I Know AFK Away From Keyboard BRB (I'll) Be Right Back BBL (I'll) Be Back Later IMHO In My Humble|Honest Opinion LOL Laughs Out Loud MOTD Message Of The Day ROTFL Rolls On The Floor Laughing RTFM Read The F***ing Manual Topic A heading for a channel that may or may not have anything to do with the conversation at hand. Undernet The second largest IRC network, considered an 'Alternative' to EFnet. User a person using an IRC Client to connect to a server to chat. User Mode Settings that affect a users properties. Invisible If this mode is set, a user will be invisible in the global user list. The user will still be visible in the user list of any joined channel, however. Wallops When set, this mode will allow receiving of messages from the server operator to all operators. Userhost This is the string that defines a user. It consists of the user's chosen nick, login name and domain name. For example: Wupper!jwupper@monorail.denet234.de | | | | |_ Domain | | | |________ Network | | |_________________ Machine | |_________________________ Login |________________________________ Nick Voice Status a normal (not an operator) user must have to type into a moderated channel. CTCP or Client To Client Protocol --------------------------------- CTCP is a standard for sending commands to other clients on IRC. Basically, CTCP messages are simply private messages that include a code to alert the receiving client (not user) to respond to the command. CTCP commands are typicaly used to get informaton from the receiving client, such as /CTCP time, or /CTCP version. Even DCC sends a request via CTCP to the receiving client, asking to initiate a direct connection. CTCP Commands ------------- * ME (CTCP Action) Template: /ME This will mark the message as an action and replace the /ME with your nick, for example, '/me hates ice cream' would appear as: [Action] |Fred hates ice cream * Version Template: /CTCP Version Version will ask the client to return information about itsself, which will be in the form of a private message. * Time Template: /CTCP Time Time will return the time of day as it is set on the user's machine. * Ping Template: /ping Ping will send a packet request to the receiving client, which will in turn send back the packet with a timestamp, where the inititating client will compare the time difference and show the result in the listview. Direct client connections ************************* What is DCC? ============ DCC or Direct Client Connection is a protocol that IRC clients can use to communicate directly with each other, bypassing the IRC server. The reason for this is to form a faster, more stable and direct connection thru which users can transfer files, or send private messages. DCC File Transfers ================== The most common use of DCC is for transferring files between two clients. The initiating client will send a message through the IRC server, telling the receiver that a connecton is requested. At this time, the receiver will either accept or reject the offer for the connection. If the receiver accepts the connection, the initiating client will proceed to send the information directly to the receiver. If the connecton is refused, the initiating client will simply timeout the attempt to connect. DCC Send -------- Template: /DCC send DCC send will attempt to open a connecton with the specified user's client, and if successful, will proceed to send the specified file. DCC Move -------- Template: /DCC move DCC Move is identical to DCC Send, with the exception that DCC move is capable of resuming an interrupted or failed transfer. DCC Move will look into the receiving directory for existing files, and upon finding a partial file which is the same as the file to be transferred, will initiate a /DCC Resume transfer. DCC Get ------- Template: /DCC get DCC get is a transparent operation with IRC, and is only mentioned in this document for the sake of being thorough. IRC will notify you of an incoming DCC request, and allow you the option to accept or reject the connecton. DCC Chat ======== Another use of the DCC standard is DCC chat, which, like DCC Send, will send a CTCP request to the receiving client to set up a direct link. In this case, however, the purpose of the link is for users to send messages to each other. Because the mesages are sent through the direct link, and do not pass through the IRC server, this method of sending messages is much more private than using the IRC's privmsg (/msg). Reference ========= AWAY ---- Usage: /AWAY [message] When used with the optional argument, /AWAY will mark you as being away and send the message to any client sending a MSG to you. otherwise, it will remove a previously set away message. EXAMPLES: /AWAY eating dinner will send the message ' is away: eating dinner', where nick is the nickname of the user that is away. /AWAY will remove a previously set Away Message. INVITE ------ Usage: /INVITE Invites a user to the channel given in the argument, regardless of weather the channel exists. If the named channel is MODE, the user performing the command must be a channel operator for that channel. EXAMPLES: /INVITE freddie #IRC Sends a message to 'freddie', inviting him to join #IRC. ISON ---- Usage: /ISON {} Quickly returns the users nick if it is found, does nothing if it is not. EXAMPLES: /ISON Kenneth Returns: 'Kenneth', if nick 'Kenneth' is found on the server. JOIN ---- Usage: /JOIN channel[,channel[,...]] [key[,key[,...]]] Usage: /CHANNEL channel[,channel[,...]] [key[,key[,...]]] Join a channel on the IRC. If the channel doesn't exists, it is automatically created. There are two kinds of channels: Channel names starting with an # are global channels and available on all IRC servers which are connected to the net you are currently on. Channels which begin with & are local to the chat server you are connected to. If a channel requires a special keyword to join, you must submit this after the channel name. EXAMPLES: /JOIN #Amigager Join channel #AmigaGER /JOIN #Amigager,#IRC Join channels #AmigaGER and #IRC /JOIN #AmigaGER deutsch Join channel #AmigaGER with keyword deutsch. RELATED TOPICS: See LEAVE. KICK ---- Usage: /KICK [] Forcibly removes a user from the named channel. the user sending the /KICK command must be a channel operator of the named channel. If the optional is given, it will be shown as the reason for the kick. EXAMPLES: /KICK #IRC Freddie Take it outside! forces 'Freddie' from channel #IRC with the reason 'take it outside'. LEAVE ----- Usage: /LEAVE [channel[,channel[,...]] Leaves a channel. If you don't give a channel name as a parameter, the channel currently bound to the window in which in the command is entered will be left. EXAMPLES: /LEAVE Leave the channel currently bound to this window. /LEAVE #AmigaGER Leave channel #AmigaGER. RELATED TOPICS: See JOIN. LIST ---- Usage: /LIST [{,} []] Generates a list of current channels and topics. If the argument is given, LIST displays that channel's status and topic. Private channels show as 'Private' and secret channels are not listed, unless the client generating the list is a member of those channels. EXAMPLES: /LIST Shows a list of all current, non-secret channels. /LIST #IRC,#amigaGER List channels #IRC and #amigaGER Channel MODE ------------ /MODE allows both users and channels to have their modes changed. Usage: /MODE {[+|-]|o|p|s|i|t|n|b|v} [] [] [] Used by Channel Operators to change the modes of 'their' channel. the modes available are: o - give/take channel operator privileges; p - private channel flag; s - secret channel flag; i - invite-only channel flag; t - topic settable by channel operator only flag; n - no messages to channel from clients on the outside; m - moderated channel; l - set the user limit to channel; b - set a ban mask to keep users out; v - give/take the ability to speak on a moderated channel; k - set a channel key (password). EXAMPLES: /MODE #IRC +tm Sets topic protection and makes channel moderated for #IRC. /MODE #IRC -o Sarek Removes channel operator status from user 'Sarek' on channel #IRC. /MODE #IRC +l 50 Sets limit of 50 users on #IRC. /MODE #IRC -l Removes the limit form #IRC User MODE --------- Usage: {[+|-]|i|w|s|o} These affect how a client is seen by others or what extra messages a client will receive. User Modes will only take effect if the Nick of the client sending the command, and the nick of the argument are the same. Available User Modes: i - marks a users as invisible; s - marks a user for receipt of server notices; w - user receives wallops; o - operator flag. Note that the +o user mode will not work, however, -o will. EXAMPLES: /MODE freddie +i makes user 'freddie' invisible in the global user list. /MODE freddie -o User 'freddie' removes channel operator status from himself. MSG (PRIVMSG) ------------- Usage: /MSG {,} Sends a Private Message to one or more users. Note that this is different from a DCC, in that a /MSG (PRIVMSG) is sent thru the IRC server to the recipient. EXAMPLES: /MSG Kenneth Heya Dude! How's Florida? Send the message: "Heya Dude! How's Florida?" to user 'Kenneth'. /MSG Kenneth,Aerosoul I am in Pittsburgh Sends the message "I am in Pittsburgh" to Kenneth and Aerosoul. Names ----- Usage /NAMES [{,}] Gives a list of nicknames on any channel visible to the user(not secret or private, or one actually joined by the user performing the command). EXAMPLES: /NAMES #IRC,#amigaGER Will list all users on channels #IRC and #amigaGER, provided the channels are visible to the user. /NAMES Will return a list of all visible channels and users (Strongly Discouraged!) NICK ---- Usage: /NICK NICK is used to to give yourself or change your current nickname. If the chosen nick is already in use, you wil be notified of this and prompted for a new nick. EXAMPLES: /NICK Phalanx Makes/changes your nickname to 'Phalanx' NOTICE ------ Usage: /NOTICE Smiilar to /MSG, /NOTICE is usually used by Bots or clients being controlled by scripts. /NOTICE messages must never be responded to by an automatic reply. See MSG for syntax examples. QUIT ---- Usage: [] Used to End an IRC session. The optional is the text that will be displayed upon quitting. EXAMPLES: /QUIT :Gone to have lunch TIME ---- Usage: /TIME [] Returns the time of day from the server. If the optional argument is given, then that servers local time will be returned. EXAMPLES: /TIME irc.pitt.edu Returns the local time from server 'irc.pitt.edu' TOPIC ----- Usage: /TOPIC [] The topic command alone will display the channels topic. if the optional argument is given, the topic will be changed to the argument given, provided that the topic is not protected, or the user issuing the command is an operator on the channel. See MODE. EXAMPLES: /TOPIC #IRC Will display the current topic on #IRC. /TOPIC #IRC Amigas Rule! Will replace the current topic of #IRC with the topic 'Amigas Rule' USERS ----- Usage: /USERS [] Returns a list of users on the server, or, optionally, on the specified server. /USERS may be disabled on most servers for security reasons. EXAMPLES: /USERS Returns a list of users on the current server /USERS irc.colorado.edu Returns a list of users on server 'irc.colorado.edu'. USERHOST -------- Usage: /USERHOST {} Returns the login@domain for the specified nickname. Up to five nicknames may be specified, each separated by a . EXAMPLES: /USERHOST DuRaN returns: 'DuRaN is DuRaN@calci.amiganet.pgh.net VERSION ------- Usage /VERSION [] Returns the version of the server's software. If the optional arguement is given, returns the version of the specified server's software. EXAMPLES: /VERSION *.edu Returns server version information for all servers matching '*.edu'. WHO --- Usage: /WHO [ []] Returns a generated list of all users matching the criteria passed to the command, i/e. everyone at a particular site, or on a particular server. If the optional argument is specified, /WHO will only return information on users that are channel operators. EXAMPLES: /WHO *.cmu.edu Will list all users at the cmu.edu domain. /WHO irc.pitt.edu o will list all operators on irc.pitt.edu server WHOIS ----- Usage: /WHOIS [] [,[,...]] Returns information about the specified user or users, that you are allowed to see. If the optional argument is specified, then information aobut the user in relation to that specified server will be given, i/e idle time. EXAMPLES: /WHOIS Phalanx Returns available information about user 'Phalanx'. /WHOIS irc.bu.edu Phalanx Asks server 'irc.bu.edu' for information on user 'Phalanx WHOWAS ------ Usage /WHOWAS [ []] returns information on a nick that no longer exists, due to the user leaving the server or changing their nick. The optional argument specifies how many previous instances of the nick should be returned. The optional argument specifies a particular server to be searched. EXAMPLES: /WHOWAS Aerosoul 5 Checks for and returns available information on the last 5 instances of the nick 'Aerosoul'.