How to use IRC

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This document covers installing and using HexChat, a popular and easy to use IRC client.

Alternative clients include:

• http://webchat.freenode.net/ (no additional software required)
• Chatzilla firefox extension
• A list of popular linux clients (outdated)

How to install HexChat

In Fedora 22 and later versions use DNF:

$ sudo dnf install hexchat

In Fedora 21 and earlier versions use YUM:

$ sudo yum install hexchat

How to connect

Upon starting HexChat you will be greeted with a list of networks. Before connecting you may want to set Nick Name to something unique.

Once that is done with freenode active hit the Connect button.

A prompt suggesting a channel to join pops up, select nothing and ignore this for now.

How to join #fedora

To join a channel you simply use the command /join #channel but #fedora specifically requires registration on this network. See http://freenode.net/kb/answer/registration for information on how to do this.

Once you have registered and identified you can join the channel as well as others such as #fedora-meetings.

How to automate logging in and joining

To avoid identifying and joining every time you can configure the network in the network list (ctrl+s) > freenode > edit.

Here you can check Connect to this network automatically if you like.

In order to identify for freenode you need:

• Login type to be SASL (this is default)
• User Name to match your nickserv account
• Password

See https://freenode.net/sasl/sasl-hexchat.shtml for images.

Then switch to the Autojoin channels tab on that prompt and hit Add to add various channels to join.

You can also just right click on any channel tab to add autojoin channels and auto-connecting networks without opening the network list.

What are the Basic HexChat/IRC commands

• /help - Shows all commands.
• /help Command - Shows command usage.
• /nick NewNickName - Changes the NickName.
• /whois NickName - Shows basic whois info for a NickName. To see more info, use /msg NickServ info NickName
• /away AwayMessage - Leaves a message when you are away from channel. Use /back when you return.
• /quit QuitMessage - Leaves a message when you quit IRC channel.

For more information, see [1]

Meeting Protocol

This only applies to certain IRC meetings. Others are usually more casual.

• Please watch what others are doing and do not interrupt
• If you have a question, type "?"
• If you need to speak, type "!"
• If you're done speaking, type "eof"
• If you agree, type "+1"

Go to Meeting channel to learn more about IRC meetings.

How to create Fedora IRC cloaks for the freenode network

• Add your IRC nick in FreenodeCloaks
• Once your Fedora IRC cloak has been created, people will not see your real hostname.
• Instead they will see something like yournick@fedora/yournick

Where can I find a list of Fedora Project IRC channels

• See https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Communicating_and_getting_help#IRC

Further Reading

• Beginner's Guide to IRC