0. Quick n Dirty
Server: irc.starchat.net
Channel: #3dspotlight
1. What is IRC and how do I use it?
The short and simple is IRC is a text-based chat system from the old days of computers. It's a protocol that is carried over TCP/IP, much like HTTP (which you are using to read this.) We talk about anything and everything in our room- from solving technical issues to new technologies to how stupid a post was to beer/sex/music to even weirder.
You can get onto IRC using many programs- some are free, others aren't. Almost every operating system has an IRC program. Favorites include mIRC, pIRCh, BitchX, IRCle, and X-Chat. Google to find a download. Also, the servers that we use provide a free java-based IRC client at:
http://www.starchat.net/chat/index.php
2. Ok, I got a program. Now what?
Configure the program to use irc.starchat.net as the server. For a nickname, chose anything you want. Some nicknames are already registered/taken, so you may have to rechoose. Usually you must set a nickname before you connect.
(Once you're online, you can change your nickname by typing "/nick NEWNAME".)
Note that certain names (anything using "serv", curse words, etc.) are banned.
After you connect to the server, you need to join our channel. Sometimes this is done in a popup box right after you connect, and sometimes you have to do it the hard way. To do that, type in "/join #3dspotlight". /join gets you into a room. #3dspotlight is our room (# is the sign for a room name.)
Chatting should be pretty intuitive- you'll have a box at the bottom of the room's window to type in. To say anything, just type there.
The people in the room are usually listed in a box to the left or right. Normal users just show their names. People with "Voice" have a + beside their name. You'll learn pretty quickly what that means once you're there. People who are operators in the room will usually have a @ beside their name. These are the folks who can kick or ban you, set the channel topic, etc. Some of the people there are just "bots" that take stats and so forth. Other people can be asleep like on AIM or whatever too, so if you don't get a response out of anyone it may just be a slow time of day.
3. Yeah...
There is no, and was never, any number 3. I think Didou or Poertner stole it.
4. What are the rules?
The rules are loosely based on those of Techspot. We frequently ignore them. You can do almost anything once. If it's bad enough, you may never do anything again.
basically:
*THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL PART OF TS. THE PEOPLE THERE RUN THE CHANNEL AS THEY PLEASE- THIS INCLUDES HOW THEY BEHAVE, HOW THEY TREAT YOU, AND HOW THEY BAN YOU*
5. How do I???
To get IRC help, there are four basic ways to learn..
The basics are:
/msg NICKNAME - a private message to someone.
/join #CHANNEL - join a room
/nick NEWNICK - Change your nickname
/me MESSAGE - Perform an action. You'll figure this one out quickly.
/ns command options - Do things with Nickname services, like register. HINT: "/ns help"
6. Still need help?
Either post here, Private message me, or join #starchat on the irc servers (depending on what you can do).
We're always glad to have new people around, feel free to drop by! Even if it's for a quick question or just to banter about something totally unrelated to computers or tech. And of course, we're always glad to attempt to help you with a real problem.
Server: irc.starchat.net
Channel: #3dspotlight
1. What is IRC and how do I use it?
The short and simple is IRC is a text-based chat system from the old days of computers. It's a protocol that is carried over TCP/IP, much like HTTP (which you are using to read this.) We talk about anything and everything in our room- from solving technical issues to new technologies to how stupid a post was to beer/sex/music to even weirder.
You can get onto IRC using many programs- some are free, others aren't. Almost every operating system has an IRC program. Favorites include mIRC, pIRCh, BitchX, IRCle, and X-Chat. Google to find a download. Also, the servers that we use provide a free java-based IRC client at:
http://www.starchat.net/chat/index.php
2. Ok, I got a program. Now what?
Configure the program to use irc.starchat.net as the server. For a nickname, chose anything you want. Some nicknames are already registered/taken, so you may have to rechoose. Usually you must set a nickname before you connect.
(Once you're online, you can change your nickname by typing "/nick NEWNAME".)
Note that certain names (anything using "serv", curse words, etc.) are banned.
After you connect to the server, you need to join our channel. Sometimes this is done in a popup box right after you connect, and sometimes you have to do it the hard way. To do that, type in "/join #3dspotlight". /join gets you into a room. #3dspotlight is our room (# is the sign for a room name.)
Chatting should be pretty intuitive- you'll have a box at the bottom of the room's window to type in. To say anything, just type there.
The people in the room are usually listed in a box to the left or right. Normal users just show their names. People with "Voice" have a + beside their name. You'll learn pretty quickly what that means once you're there. People who are operators in the room will usually have a @ beside their name. These are the folks who can kick or ban you, set the channel topic, etc. Some of the people there are just "bots" that take stats and so forth. Other people can be asleep like on AIM or whatever too, so if you don't get a response out of anyone it may just be a slow time of day.
3. Yeah...
There is no, and was never, any number 3. I think Didou or Poertner stole it.
4. What are the rules?
The rules are loosely based on those of Techspot. We frequently ignore them. You can do almost anything once. If it's bad enough, you may never do anything again.
basically:
*THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL PART OF TS. THE PEOPLE THERE RUN THE CHANNEL AS THEY PLEASE- THIS INCLUDES HOW THEY BEHAVE, HOW THEY TREAT YOU, AND HOW THEY BAN YOU*
- Act like a normal human being. Have a sense of humor. Or at least show from time to time that you are human, and act weird otherwise.
- No Warez. We trade files here and there, but if you walk in and start scooping warez not only will someone probably channel ban you, you might be banned from the server.
- We can be rude/crude/drunk/stupid/immature in the channel. If you are easily offended, Ask the offender to tone it down, or leave.
- YOU WILL BE KICKED. Take a sense of humor to it. If we MEAN it, you'll know. No one is exempt from the kick, not me, not sngx1275, StormBringer, or even Vehementi.
- CAPS LOCK ISN'T COOL IN IRC EITHER.
5. How do I???
To get IRC help, there are four basic ways to learn..
- Ask in the channel
- Read The Friggin Manual.
- Ask in #starchat, the network help channel
- Google.
The basics are:
/msg NICKNAME - a private message to someone.
/join #CHANNEL - join a room
/nick NEWNICK - Change your nickname
/me MESSAGE - Perform an action. You'll figure this one out quickly.
/ns command options - Do things with Nickname services, like register. HINT: "/ns help"
6. Still need help?
Either post here, Private message me, or join #starchat on the irc servers (depending on what you can do).
We're always glad to have new people around, feel free to drop by! Even if it's for a quick question or just to banter about something totally unrelated to computers or tech. And of course, we're always glad to attempt to help you with a real problem.
