mIRC
 Pirch
 Snak
 IRCle
 Web Browser

 How to Register a Nick
 What is a Channel operator and IRC operator?
 What is Chanserv?
 How can I find help using Nickserv and Chanserv commands?
 What does "Connection refused," "Connection timed out" or "Unknown host" mean?

Introduction

Rather than send out a batch of owls and have flock return at the same time, the muggles invented IRC.

IRC (Internet Relay Chat) is a virtual meeting place where people from all over the world can meet and talk; you'll find the whole diversity of human interests, ideas, and issues here, and you'll be able to participate in group discussions on one of the many thousands of IRC channels, or just talk in private to family or friends, wherever they are in the world.

IRC to some is a black art (hmmm... must be a Slytherin invention ), but seriously, it may not work the first time out. Keep at it. There are plenty of people who want to help you.

To use IRC, you need a small program (IRC client) like mIRC (http://www.mirc.com) for the PC or snak (http://www.snak.com) for the Mac.

Where To Get an IRC Program

Most HOL students and faculty use mIRC (http://www.mirc.com) for the PC or snak (http://www.snak.com) for the Mac (or Pirch or IRCle). It doesn't matter what you use as long as it will log you on to the server with all the rest of the HOL gang.

However, if you do choose to go with a client other than the above, then we may not be able to help you configure your IRC client as we're more familiar with the above.

For a list of other clients, access a shareware depository such as tucows (http://www.tucows.com) or other site and type IRC in the search engine.

mIRC Instructions

Before you download a copy of mIRC, you need to know what operation system (OS) you are using in order to know which copy of mIRC you need. Determine which issue you will be using:

• If you have windows 3.1 or 3.11, or windows for workgroups, go on installing the 16 bit issue
• If you have windows 95 with an old 16 bit winsock like Netcruiser, or the old 16 bit Trumpet winsock, go on installing the 16 bit issue! (-not- the 32 bit issue)
• If you have a normal windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, NT, or XP, go on installing the 32 bit issue of mIRC 5.91.

Most of you will probably be using the 32 bit mIRC. Link to the download sites here: http://www.mirc.com/get.html

NOTE: Make sure you download the correct version! 32bit is listed first, 16bit second. Save it to disk and then install.

Installation of mIRC is pretty straight forward and doesn't register anything in the registry (which is nice). Just install it as you would any other program on your computer. Once you've installed it, make sure you are online (that is, have a "live" Internet connection) double click on the mIRC icon. If the connect dialogue doesn't come up, go to file/options/connect and fill in the following information:

• Press the "add" button
• description: fragglerock (or whatever you want)
• IRCServer: irc.fragglerock.net (leave everything else alone)
• and press "add"
• Then select Fragglerock and press connect to IRC Server
• once the the status window displays "you are logged on"
• type: /join #hpgalleries

You should see a bunch of people in the channel. If you are the only one there, then it is possible that the network has split (see netsplit) and you'll have to hunt for the server everyone is using. For a list of irctoo servers, link to: http://www.irctoo.net and select "servers" which lists the name of the server (other information) plus what ports to use. Usually the default port 6667 is fine. For additional information, access: http://www.mirc.com/install.html (How to install mIRC).

Pirch Instructions

Install a copy of pirch. Double click the icon to open the program. Under IRC/Server List, select Newnet, on the task bar, select the third computer icon (the tool tip says "add server")

• Name - type: fragglerock
• Address - type: irc.fragglerock.net
• Ports - type: 6667

Save and close the window, then pess the Login Icon. The wndow says now: "Server Connection" -- Fill in the following information:

• Name (your HOL Name or Real Name)
• Username (use email address)
• Logon NickName (your HOL Name)

Press "Save Profile" and then "Connect". Once the the status window displays "you are logged on", type /join #hpgalleries and you should see a bunch of people in the channel. If you are the only one there, then it is possible that the network has split (see netsplit) and you'll have to hunt for the server everyone is using.

For a list of irctoo servers, link to: (http://www.irctoo.net) and select "servers" which lists the name of the server (other information) plus what ports to use. Usually the default port 6667 is fine.

Snak
(by Thadius Crucio, First Year, Ravenclaw)

In general - all Mac programs are self installing. Simply double-clicking the icon will install the program. This is true for Snak. In this case, it simply expands the folder that is 'Stuffed' and there you go. When you want to use Snak - all you have to do is double-click the Snak Icon in the Snak 4.6.5 folder.

1. Double-click Snak to open it.
2. In the Profile List dialog box (where you used to just enter #hpgalleries), click on Newnet, in the TITLE section.
3. Select EDIT
4. Select irc.irctoo.net in the right window of the dialog box.
5. Select DELETE (You can probably select EDIT and then enter irc.fragglerock.org - but I didn't do that)
6. Select ADD
7. Select irc.fragglerock.org from window to the right.
8. Select OK
9. Select OK
10. You should now be back in the Profile List dialog box. Make sure that Newnet is highlighted in the TITLE section (disregard the server name to the right). Type in #hpgalleries in the FORM window (as usual).
11. Select CONNECT

Once the the status window displays "you are logged on", type /join #hpgalleries and you should see a bunch of people in the channel. If you are the only one there, then it is possible that the network has split (see netsplit) and you'll have to hunt for the server everyone is using.

For a list of irctoo servers, link to: http://www.irctoo.net and select "servers" which lists the name of the server (other information) plus what ports to use. Usually the default port 6667 is fine.

IRCLE Instructions

Install IRCle on your computer and start the program.

1. After starting up ircle, you will see several windows appear. In order to configure your chat session, you need to look at the CONNECTIONS window first: Scroll through the preset connections to find the server you want, or select one to reconfigure Double-click the connection you want to configure, or select it and click the EDIT button.
2. The CONNECTION PREFERENCES window will appear. Enter a NICKNAME - the name you want to be known by when chatting Enter a USERNAME - optional. This name will be displayed along with your site address in the User List window Enter your REAL name - also optional. You could set this to your email address.
3. If you need to configure a server not in the connection list, do this step; otherwise go to step 4 Click the white SELECT... button, and the SERVER LIST window will appear. Scroll through the list and choose the server that is geographically nearest to you on the network you require. Click SELECT to accept it.
4. In the Connection Preferences window, click OK Your basic preferences are now set-up, ready for you to connect with the server.
5. Connecting to a Server: Select the server you want in the CONNECTIONS window and click the CONNECT button. You will see a batch of icons in the window. After a short pause, the CONSOLE window will display the servers's information and message of the day. When this is complete you are ready to join a channel. Type: /join #hpgalleries and you should see a bunch of people in the channel. If you are the only one there, then it is possible that the network has split (see netsplit) and you'll have to hunt for the server everyone is using.

For a list of irctoo servers, link to: http://www.irctoo.net and select "servers" which lists the name of the server (other information) plus what ports to use. Usually the default port 6667 is fine. For more information on IRCle, link to: http://www.ircle.com.

Web Browser

For those who can't use an IRC client or are having trouble getting one to work, you can still get on IRC by using your web browser.

http://chat.ok-centrum.at/cgi-bin/cgiirc-0.3.4/irc.cgi

You will see a login-screen.

Change the pre-set information to the following:

1. Server: irc.fragglerock.org
2. Port: 6667
3. Nick: your HOL Name (no spaces -- example: HarryPotter, Harry_Potter, Harry-Potter)
4. Realname: nm
5. channels: #hpgalleries (don't forget to include the #)
6. click: LOGIN
7. And you'll be automatically logged into #hpgalleries!

Basic IRC Commands

---> Important Note : All IRC Commands Start With A "/"

• /HELP shows general help or help on the given command.
• /IGNORE removes output from specific people (note, use with caution. To remove all ignores, type /ignore -r)
• /JOIN to join a channel. Example: /JOIN #hpgalleries
• /LIST lists all current channels.
• /ME sends anything about you to a channel. Example: /ME slaps HarryPotter with a large trout. Displays: * Ayesha_Nitehawk slaps HarryPotter with a large trout.
• /MSG sends a private message. Example: /MSG Nick Sends a private (only seen by that nick) to someone.
• /NICK changes your nickname. /NICK {New Nickname} Changes your nickname to whatever you like. If your intended nickname clashes with someone else's as you enter IRC, you will not be able to enter until you change it to something else. Duplicate nicknames are not allowed; this is enforced by the IRC servers. Example: /NICK RonWeasley. Displays: *** Ayesha_Nitehawk is now known as RonWeasley. Please note -- don't leave any spaces. Use a "-" or "_" to connect names like Ayesha_Nitehawk.
• /PART to leave a channel (same as LEAVE)
• /QUIT exits your IRC session and you leave the server, (same as BYE and EXIT)
• /WHOIS displays information about someone Example: /WHOIS Ayesha_Nitehawk

How to Register a Nick

When you first come onto #hpgalleries, you want to register your nick. Make sure you are using the nick you want to register. If not, use the /nick command to change it (see above). Now that you have the correct nick, type:

/msg nickserv register YourPassWord YourEmail

When you log on to IRC type:

/msg Nickserv identify Password

.
Nickserv will now recognize you when you log onto IRC. It will be necessary to identify yourself every time you log on with the following command:

/msg Nickserv identify YourPassword

.

Most IRC clients have an option to automatically run commands for you. Here's where you can do this with the most popular IRC clients:

• In mIRC, under Files/Options/IRC/Perform (make sure that "On connect, perform these commands" box is checked)
• In Pirch, under Option/Autoexec Commands. There, you can type:
  • /msg Nickserv identify YourPassword
  • /join #hpgalleries

What is a Channel operator and IRC operator?

A channel operator (ChanOp or Op) is someone with a "@" by their nickname in a channel's names list. Channel operators are the 'rulers' of a particular channel. This means they can kick you out of their channel for any reason. If you don't like this, you complain to them or start your own channel and become a channel operator there yourself.

An IRC operator (IRCop) is someone who maintains a server or part of the IRC network. They cannot fix channel problems. They cannot kick someone out of a channel for you. They also cannot /kill (disconnect a user from their IRC server temporarily) someone just because you gave the offender channel operator privileges and said offender kicked *you* off. IRCops have better things to do than interfere in channel affairs.

What is Chanserv?

Chanserv is the service that allows a channel to be registered. You use Chanserv to op and de-op people, to add people to the automatic op list and set other channel parameters.

How can I find help using Nickserv and Chanserv commands?

Type /msg Nickserv help or /msg Chanserv help. A help listing will display.

What does "Connection refused," "Connection timed out" or "Unknown host" mean?

First of all, always try some other IRC servers when you are unable to access your favorite one. The server, its machine or the route to the server may just be down or broken. When using a new server name you should make sure a server with the specified name actually exists. The server name you specified could be wrong.

If the server exists, you can then try the numeric address of the server rather than its symbolic one (e.g 216.123.178.11 for irc.fragglerock.net). This will solve problems if your Domain Name Server is down, slow, does not understand the name you gave it or cannot translate it into a numeric address. (From http://www.mirc.com/ircintro.html)

Common IRC Acronyms

Use these Acronyms sparingly! There's nothing worse than reading line after line of acronyms you may or may not know.

• AFAIK - as far as I know
• AFK - Away from Keyboard
• ASAP - As Soon As Possible
• ASL - age, sex, location
• ATM - At The Moment
• BBL - Be Back Later
• BRB - Be Right Back
• BTW - By The Way
• CU - See You
• CYA - See Ya
• FWIW - For What It's Worth
• FYI - For Your Information
• G - Grin (BG - Big Grin; VBG - Very Big Grin; BEG - Big Evil Grin)
• GTG - Gotta Go (WTG - Way To Go)
• GMTA - Great Minds Think Alike
• IIRC - If I Recall Correctly
• ISP - Internet Service Provider
• IMHO - In My Humble Opinion
• LOL - Laughing Out Loud
• LTNS - Long Time No See
• NM - Never Mind
• NP - No Problem
• OIC - Oh I See
• OP - Channel OPerator
• OTOH - On The Other Hand
• PM - Private Message
• RE - Re Entry
• ReHi - Hello Again
• RL - Real Life
• ROTFL - Rolling On The Floor Laughing
• TMI - Too Much Information!
• TTYL - Talk To You Later
• TY - Thank You (THX - Thanks)
• WB - Welcome Back

Need More Information?

Check out the sites for your specific IRC program (such as http://www.mirc.com for mIRC users). If that doesn't help, then another good site is (http://www.irchelp.org/). This site contains links to many different clients as well as tutorials on basic IRC commands.

Special thank yous go to Leona Ariel Antheris, Slytherin for Proof Reading and Thadius Crucio, Ravenclaw for the Snak Installation Section.