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-
- GammaTech Internet Relay Chat
- Version 1.01 07/13/95
-
- Users Guide
-
- Copyright GammaTech, Inc. 1995 All rights reserved.
-
-
- Preface
-
- Congratulations on your purchase of the GammaTech Internet Relay Chat
- Client for OS/2 Warp. We believe you will find this feature rich
- product will help carry you into a new world of on-line electronic
- enjoyment.
-
- IRC stands for "Internet Relay Chat." It is a multi-user,
- multi-channel chat network which allows people all over the world to
- have real time conversations. Channels are virtual places where
- public discussions occur. Users talk in groups, or in private
- conversations using a user selected nickname.
-
- If you are new to IRC you will find the IRC Primer chapter a good
- place to begin your adventure.
-
-
- Installation and Corrective Service
-
- The following section explains how to install the GammaTech IRC
- Client base product as well as how to install corrective service
- files which may be released from time to time.
-
-
- Installing the Base Product
-
- You must use the GTINST program for installation of the GammaTech IRC
- Client. GTINST decompresses files from the installation diskette and
- places them on the hard disk. A standard copy will not decompress the
- files and will also copy files which you do not need.
-
- Complete and mail the registration card. Maintenance releases may be
- sent to registered customers from time to time without notice. Only
- registered customers will be notified of and eligible for upgrade
- opportunities. Unless you purchased this software directly from us,
- you should complete and return the registration card.
-
- To install the GammaTech IRC Client, switch to an OS/2 full screen or
- OS/2 window, place the installation disk in your A: drive, and type:
- A:GTINST. The install program will guide you through the installation
- process. If required, you may use your B: drive as well. Simply
- specify B:GTINST when you execute the program.
-
-
- Special Considerations on Time Zones
-
- Some messages displayed contain the time of day in them. If the time
- is a local time, meant for your location, it will be adjusted for
- Daylight Savings Time provided that you have the TZ environment
- variable set on your workstation. If the TZ environment variable is
- not set, this adjustment is not made.
-
- To set the TZ variable, edit your config.sys file and add a line
- which reads: SET TZ=sssnddd - Where sss it the 3 character identifier
- for your standard time (EST, CST, etc.); n is the difference between
- your time zone and Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) (5,6,etc.) and;
- ddd is the 3 character identifier for your Daylight Savings Time
- (EST, CST, etc.). For example, to set your TZ environment variable
- for the Central Time Zone your config.sys statement would read:
-
- SET TZ=CST6CDT
-
- You must reboot your workstation for the change in config.sys to take
- affect.
-
-
- Installing Corrective Service
-
- Corrective service may be provided periodically, either on floppy
- diskettes or by electronic means such as by download from
- CompuServe or BBS's. You must use the GTINST installation program to
- install these corrective service updates. Use the following procedure
- to install corrective service.
-
- * Shutdown the GammaTech IRC Client if it is executing.
- * Switch to an OS/2 window or full screen.
- * Start the install program: GTINST d:\path\csdfile. (Specifying the
- full drive, path and file name of the corrective service file.)
- * Review the readme file, which will be displayed for you, for any
- special instructions.
- * Click on Install
- * Follow any directions given by the installation program.
- * Once installation of the CSD has completed, you may restart the
- GammaTech IRC Client.
-
- Note that the corrective service file name ends with ".CSD." This is
- a requirement. If you should rename the csd file, it must have an
- extension of ".CSD."
-
- The installation program stores information in the OS/2 INI files
- regarding the version and CSD level of the GammaTech IRC Client. This
- information is referenced when applying a CSD. If this INI
- information has been removed or corrupted since the installation of
- the base product you will not be able to apply the CSD files. If this
- occurs you will receive a message from the installation program
- indicating that the base level modules are inconsistent with the
- update being applied. To install a CSD, you must first reinstall the
- base product to correct this error condition.
-
-
- Recreating Folder and Icons
-
- In the event your GammaTech folder or program object icons should
- become damaged or "lost," you may recreate them without having to
- perform a complete reinstall of the product. To do this, follow the
- instructions below:
-
- * Insert the GammaTech installation disk into a drive.
- * Switch to an OS/2 window or full screen.
- * Enter GTINST A:
- * Click on Install
- * Click on Recreate Product Folder
- * Follow any directions given by the installation program.
-
-
- Using the GammaTech IRC Client
-
- The IRC Client Window
-
- The IRC Client Window is divided into 5 parts. The Title Bar, the
- Menu Bar, the Output Window, the Toolbar and the Input Window. In
- addition, you may access the popup menu by clicking mouse button 2 in
- the Output Window or the Input Window - the popup menu is specific
- for each window.
-
-
- The Title Bar
-
- The title bar of the primary window indicates your nickname, user
- mode and server name.
-
- The title bar of a Channel Window shows your nickname, user mode, the
- channel name and channel mode.
-
- The title bar for query Window shows your nickname, user mode and the
- nickname of the user being queried.
-
-
- The Menu Bar
-
- From the menu bar you may select any of the items below.
-
- File Connect or terminate IRC.
- Options Configure IRC options.
- Help Display help on using IRC, IRC Commands or Product Information.
-
-
- The Output Window
-
- The Output Window is where all messages are displayed. These messages
- may consist of various notification messages, responses from
- commands, text received from other IRC users and text you send to
- other IRC users. Its height can be changed by sizing up and down -
- only the Output Window's height will change.
-
- Notification messages are usually prefixed with three asterisks
- (***). Public messages from other users are prefixed with their
- nickname in < > such as <george>. Private messages from another user
- to you will be prefixed with their nickname in asterisks such as
- *george*.
-
- The Output Window contains a scroll bar and a scroll back buffer,
- which saves the last 256 lines of text sent to the window. Text that
- has been scrolled off of the screen can be viewed by using the scroll
- bar. Screen updating is disabled when the last line of text is not
- on the display. To enable screen updating, scroll to the bottom of
- the screen. Messages received during the scrollback will be
- displayed at this time, and automatic updating of the screen will
- continue. Also, entering and sending standard text will cause the
- Output Window to scroll, while entering the IRC / commands will not.
-
- In addition, the Output Window supports copy to the clipboard only.
- To do this, select the desired text - swiping with the mouse from
- left to right, or top to bottom works best - then use the popup menu
- to copy.
-
- Be sure to read the section on Message Routing. Because IRC was
- originally developed for all input and output in a single window
- area, there are some peculiarities regarding message routing to
- multiple windows, as is done with the GammaTech IRC client.
-
-
- The Toolbar
-
- A toolbar is located below the Output Window and above the Input
- Window and has the following Icon controls:
-
- Join a Channel
- Leave the current channel
- Establish a Query session
- Update the Notify nickname list
- Recall previous commands (scrolls though last 5 executed commands)
- Embolden selected text in the Input Window
- Get help
- User defined action 1
- User defined action 2
- User defined action 3
- User defined action 4
-
- The last four icons represent actions that are user definable through
- the Toolbar Dialog. You can access the Toolbar Dialog through the
- Popup or Options menu.
-
-
- The Input Window
-
- The Input Window is where you enter text to be sent to the channel or
- query, or enter various IRC commands. Its height is fixed and
- dependent upon the font size you choose in setting the GammaTech IRC
- Options. The function and syntax of the available IRC commands is
- provided in a later chapter.
-
- The window supports the standard editing and functionality of the
- OS/2 MLE (Multi-Line Editor) control. The behavior of the MLE, when
- typing, depends on whether it is in insert or overtype mode, and
- whether the selection is empty or not. The selection is defined to be
- empty when the cursor point is equal to the anchor point.
-
- When a character is typed, it replaces the current selection. If the
- selection is empty, the character is viewed as replacing nothing,
- so the character is effectively inserted into the text. If one or
- more characters are selected, those characters are deleted from the
- text and replaced by the typed character.
-
- If the MLE is in insert mode, the cursor and anchor points are moved
- to immediately follow the newly typed character.
-
- If the MLE is in overtype mode, the cursor is moved to immediately
- follow the newly typed character. If there is no character after the
- cursor (the new character is at the end of the text) or if the
- character after the cursor is a line-break character, the anchor is
- set to be equal to the cursor point. In any other case, the anchor is
- extended one character past the cursor point, defining the next
- character as the current selection.
-
- If the typing causes the cursor to go off the screen in any
- direction, the display is automatically scrolled. If word-wrap is on,
- text continues on a new line, otherwise, the screen is scrolled
- horizontally.
-
- Scrolling of the text in the window is independent of cursor
- movement. The cursor and selection remain unaltered at the same
- location within the text during all scrolling but the converse is not
- true. Any movement of the cursor causes auto-scrolling, if necessary,
- to ensure that the text location of the cursor is visible within the
- window.
-
- Return
-
- Return causes the text to be sent to IRC as a command and the Input
- Window is cleared in preparation for the next input operation.
-
- Keystroke commands
-
- For all the following keys, unless otherwise noted, the display is
- scrolled, if necessary, to keep the cursor point visible. Where
- noted, the cursor setting behaves differently in insert mode than in
- overtype mode. This is subject to the boundary conditions noted
- above.
-
- Del
- Causes the contents of the selection region to be deleted. If the
- selection region contains no text, it causes the character to the
- right of the cursor to be deleted.
-
- Shift+Del
- Causes the contents of the selection region to be cut to the
- clipboard.
-
- Insert
- Toggles between insert and overtype mode. The MLE ignores the
- Insert key when it occurs without a modifier.
-
- Shift+Ins
- Causes the contents of the clipboard to replace the selection
- region.
-
- Ctrl+Ins
- Causes the selection region to be copied to the clipboard. The
- selection region is not otherwise affected.
-
- Backspace
- Functions similar to Del. If the selection is not empty,
- Backspace deletes the selection. If the selection is empty,
- Backspace deletes the character to the left of the cursor point.
- If the MLE is in overtype mode, the anchor point is set, and the
- cursor point is moved to be one character previous in the text.
- If no such character exists (because the anchor is set to the
- beginning of the text) the cursor is set to the anchor point. If
- the MLE is in insert mode, the cursor and anchor points are set,
- as defined at the start of this chapter.
-
- Down Arrow
- Sets the cursor point to the closest insertion point on the
- following line, then sets the anchor point to the cursor point
- (insertion mode) or one character following (overtype mode).
-
- Shift+Down Arrow
- Causes the cursor point to be moved to the closest insertion
- point on the following line. The anchor point does not move.
-
- Up Arrow
- Sets the cursor point to the closest insertion point on the
- preceding line, then sets the anchor point to the cursor point
- (insert mode) or one character following (overtype mode).
-
- Shift+Up
- Sets the cursor point to the closest insertion point on the
- preceding line. The anchor point is not moved.
-
- Right Arrow
- Sets the cursor point to the insertion point one character
- following the cursor point. The anchor point is set to the cursor
- point (insert mode) or one character following (overtype mode).
-
- Shift+Right
- Causes the cursor point to be set to the insertion point
- immediately following the previous cursor point. The anchor point
- is not moved.
-
- Left and Shift+Left
- Work analogously.
-
- Ctrl+Right
- Moves the cursor point to the insertion point immediately
- preceding the next word in the text including trailing spaces,
- and sets the anchor point to be equal to (insert mode) or one
- character following (overtype mode) the cursor point. The EOL
- (hard line-break) and tab characters are treated as words.
-
- Ctrl+Shift+Right
- Moves only the cursor point in the same way as Ctrl+Right, but
- leaves the anchor point unmoved.
-
- Ctrl+Left
- Moves the cursor point to the preceding insertion point at the
- beginning of a word, and sets the anchor point to be equal to
- (insert mode) or one character following (overtype mode) the
- cursor point. The EOL (hard linebreak) and tab characters are
- treated as words.
-
- Ctrl+Shift+Left
- Moves only the cursor point in the same way as Ctrl+Left but
- leaves the anchor point unmoved.
-
- Pagedown and Pageup
- Cause the display to be scrolled one screen at a time in either
- direction. This behavior is the same as would be encountered
- during a page-down or page-up caused by the scroll-bar.
-
- Ctrl+Pagedown and Ctrl+Pageup
- Cause the display to be scrolled one screen at a time to the
- right or left respectively. This behavior is the same as would be
- encountered during a page-right or page-left caused by the
- scroll-bar.
-
- Home
- Sets the cursor point to the insertion point at the beginning of
- the line containing the cursor point, and sets the anchor point
- equal to (insert mode) or one character following (overtype
- mode).
-
- Shift+Home
- Moves the cursor point to the insertion point at the beginning of
- the line. The anchor point is not moved.
-
- End
- Sets the anchor point to the insertion point at the end of the
- line containing the cursor point. If the last character on the
- line is a line-break character, the anchor is positioned just
- before it. The cursor is set equal to (insert mode) or one
- character previous to (overtype mode) the anchor.
-
- Shift+End
- Moves the cursor point to the insertion point at the end of the
- line, as above. The anchor point is not moved.
-
- Ctrl+Home
- Moves the cursor point to the insertion point at the beginning of
- the document. The anchor point is set equal to (insert mode) or
- one character following it (overtype mode).
-
- Ctrl+End
- Moves the anchor point to the insertion point at the end of the
- document. The cursor point is set to be equal to the anchor point
- (insert mode) or one character preceding it (overtype mode).
-
- Ctrl+Shift+Home
- Moves the cursor point in the same way as Ctrl+Home, but leaves
- the anchor point unmoved.
-
- Ctrl+Shift+End
- Moves the cursor point in the same way as Ctrl+End, but leaves
- the anchor point unmoved.
-
- The user may enter special characters directly into the input area as
- follows: ^A for manually entered CTCP commands; ^B to add a Bold
- text marker; ^G to ring the bell on the destination machine.
-
- When a channel is joined or a query started, a new window is opened
- for that channel or query. When the channel is left or a query
- terminated, the associated window is closed.
-
-
- The Popup Menu
-
- The Popup Menu is accessed by clicking mouse button 2 within the
- output, input, names, list, and who windows, with the popup menu
- being tailored to each specific window. Through the popup the user
- has direct access to the following dialogs, described in detail
- elsewhere in this manual.
-
- Colors Dialog
- Connect Dialog
- Font Dialog
- Join Dialog
- Notify Dialog
- Query Dialog
- Settings Dialog
-
-
- Output Window
-
- The pop-up menu for the Output Window supports the following options:
- Copy; Connect; Settings; Toolbar. Input Window
-
- The pop-up menu for the Input Window supports the following options:
- Command Help; Copy; Join; Notify; Paste; Query; Toolbar.
-
-
- Names Window
-
- The Names Window contains a pop-up menu with several useful functions
- for the nickname displayed. Double clicking on a nick name will
- initiate a query with the nickname. The pop-up menu options provide
- for automated Query, Kick and Notify commands.
-
-
- List Window
-
- The List Window contains a popup menu which performs several useful
- functions on the channel selected in the list. Double clicking on an
- entry will initiate a join for that channel. The pop-up menu allows
- for automated Join and Names commands.
-
-
- Who Window
-
- The Who Window contains a pop-up menu with several useful functions.
- Double clicking on an entry in the Who Window will execute a Whois
- command for the user involved. The pop-up menu allows for automated
- Whois, Kick, Ban and Unban commands.
-
-
- Configuring The IRC Client
-
- The first time you start the GammaTech IRC Client, the Settings
- Dialog will be displayed. This dialog defines custom information for
- your client. There are only 3 required fields. The defaults may be
- taken for all others.
-
- You may always access and change the Settings Dialog through the
- Popup or Options menu.
-
- The fields in the Settings Dialog are described below:
-
- User Name - (required) is normally the section of your Internet
- address which appears to the left of the @ symbol. For example, if
- your Internet address is jsmith@internet.net then your User Name
- would be jsmith.
-
- Real Name - (required) is your real name such as John Q. Smith.
-
- Nickname - (required) is the nickname you wish to use on IRC. It can
- be anything you wish but the following limitations exist: It can be
- no more than 9 characters long; it must not be in use by another
- active IRC user.
-
- If a nickname is selected which is already in use at the time, a
- nickname collision occurs and your IRC session will be aborted by the
- server. If this occurs, select another nickname and try again.
-
- User Information - This field may be filled in with any text you
- desire, or left blank. Other IRC users may query this information by
- entering a /USERINFO command against your nickname.
-
- Auto Connect - If this checkbox is checked, upon starting IRC, you
- will be automatically connected to the last server used (if
- possible). The Connect Dialog contains the server list and the server
- which was last used.
-
- Novice Mode - If this checkbox is checked, only one channel may be
- joined at any one time. If a second channel is joined, the first
- channel is left before joining the new channel.
-
- Bells - Text directed to you, or a channel you are on, may contain
- special characters to sound a bell at your end. If the Bells checkbox
- is checked these characters will cause a bell to sound. If the
- checkbox is not selected, the bell will not be sounded.
-
- Tabs - Text directed to you may contain embedded tab characters. Tab
- characters encountered will be expanded according to this parameter.
-
- AutoJoin - By checking this checkbox and filling in the information
- to its right, the indicated channel(s) will be joined automatically
- once the initial connection to the server is made.
-
- The test area to the right must contain the parameter(s) for the Join
- command. Do not specify /JOIN here, only the parameters. See the
- Command Help for the Join command for additional information.
-
- Log Session - If you wish to keep a text log file of the IRC session,
- check the Log Session checkbox and place the name of the log file in
- the entry field to its right. If the log file exists, the new log
- information is appended to it.
-
- CTCP Notification - Other IRC users may query certain information
- from you while you are on IRC using the Client To Client Protocol
- (CTCP). Generally you will not be aware that these requests are being
- made, and answered by your client. These requests are generally
- harmless, but if you wish to be notified when one occurs, check this
- checkbox. Then, anytime a CTCP request is received, it will be
- posted to the main IRC client Output Window.
-
- No Domain Name Server Lookup - When this option is checked, the name
- server lookup is bypassed. Checking this option affects the Connect
- Dialog in that the IRC server entries used from the connection list
- must be specified as IP addresses instead of server names. The
- benefit of this option is that connections to an IRC server can be
- significantly faster if delays are a result of poor Domain Name
- Server performance.
-
- Disable DCC - When this option is checked, incoming Direct Client to
- Client offers are automatically refused. DCC offers made by you are
- still permitted. This option prevents unwanted DCC requests from
- becoming an annoyance.
-
- Default DCC File Path - This parameter specifies the default drive
- and path where files transmitted to you via DCC will be placed. You
- will have the option to change this path on a file at a time basis.
- If no value is provided, the incoming files will be placed in the
- directory where the GammaTech IRC software is installed.
-
- DCC Blocksize - This value is the requested transmission block size
- used when transfering files using DCC. The minimum size is 1 and the
- maximum size is 4096 bytes. The default size is 1024.
-
- For more on DCC see the comments in the IRC Primer section of this
- manual.
-
- Save - Press this push button to save the changes you have made to
- the settings for use in future IRC sessions.
-
- OK - Press this push button to place any changes into effect for this
- IRC session; however, the changes will not be saved for use in future
- IRC sessions.
-
- Cancel - Press this push button to terminate the Settings Dialog
- without saving or using any changes you may have made.
-
- Help - Press this push button to obtain help on using this Dialog.
-
-
- Starting Your IRC Session
-
- Unless you have selected the Auto Connect feature in the Settings
- Dialog, the Connect Dialog will be displayed each time you start IRC.
- In addition, you may always gain access to the Connect Dialog from
- the Popup menu or the Files menu item and then the Connect submenu
- item.
-
- This dialog is used to start a connection to an IRC server. Select
- the desired server from the list and press the OK button, or simply
- double click on the desired server entry. The Connect Dialog can
- contain up to 40 entries.
-
- You may connect to a server not shown in the list by entering the
- server name in the top line of the list box. Press OK to connect to
- that server. Note that the server name will not be added to the list.
-
- To add a server to the list, enter the server name in the top line of
- the list box and press the Add button.
-
- To delete a server from the list, select the server list entry and
- press the Delete button.
-
- The Cancel button terminates the dialog without attempting to connect
- to a server.
-
- The Help push button obtains help on using this Dialog.
-
- If you are already connected to a server when the OK button is
- pressed, a pop-up message will be displayed asking if you wish to
- change servers. If you reply Yes to that prompt, a normal QUIT is
- issued to the current server with a reason of "Changing Servers,"
- and the connection is closed. All Channel and Query Windows currently
- open are closed, and the connection with the new server is initiated.
-
- The default port for IRC server connections is 6667. If the server
- you are connecting with uses a different port, you may specify that
- port by entering :port immediately after the server name. i.e.,
- irc.server.edu:6665
-
- Save - Press this push button to save the changes you have made to
- the settings for use in future IRC sessions.
-
- OK - Press this push button to place any changes into effect for this
- IRC session; however, the changes will not be saved for use in future
- IRC sessions.
-
- Cancel - Press this push button to terminate the Settings Dialog
- without saving or using any changes you may have made.
-
- Help - Press this push button to obtain help on using this Dialog.
-
- Terminating Your IRC Session
-
- You may terminate your IRC session by entering the /QUIT command in
- any IRC Input Window. This command provides the ability to give a
- reason why you are leaving IRC. For additional information regarding
- the /QUIT command see the command reference later in this manual.
-
- Selecting the File-Signoff menu option sends a QUIT to the server
- with a reason of "Leaving," and closes the connection with the
- server. All windows are closed and the IRC program is terminated.
-
- Selecting the File-Exit menu option immediately terminates the IRC
- program. Normally, the Signoff option should be used instead to
- perform proper termination handshaking with the server. Using the
- Exit option can leave your nickname in use on the IRC network until
- the required cleanup can be performed by the servers. This will
- prevent you from accessing IRC with that nickname until the cleanup
- has completed.
-
-
- Configuring the Display Colors
-
- The Color Dialog configures the background and foreground colors for
- all IRC windows.
-
- To configure the colors, select the Area Type from the list box at
- the top left of the dialog. Then press the desired radio button for
- the desired color for that area. Note the change in the Sample
- Display Area.
-
- Repeat the procedure above for all of the Area Types and until you
- are satisfied with the color configuration.
-
- Set - Press the Set push button to save the color configuration for
- future IRC sessions, terminate the Color dialog, and immediately set
- the colors for all IRC windows.
-
- Default - Press this push button to reset the colors to their default
- settings.
-
- Cancel - Press this push button to terminate the Colors dialog
- without making any changes.
-
- Help - Press this push button to obtain help on using this Dialog.
-
-
- Configuring the Display Font
-
- Use the fonts dialog to set the point size of the text for all of the
- windows.
-
- Select the point size then press the "OK" button to put the changes
- into effect or the "Cancel" button to return to the original point
- size.
-
- When "OK" is pressed, all IRC windows are immediately changed to the
- new point size.
-
-
- Getting Help On-line
-
- From the Help Menu choice you may access on-line help information.
- The Help submenu options are:
-
- General Help How to use the GammaTech IRC Client program.
- Command Help Command descriptions and syntax for IRC commands.
- Product Info Product information regarding the GammaTech IRC Client.
-
- Most all of the GammaTech IRC Dialogs contain a Help push button
- which, when pressed, will provide help for that specific dialog.
-
-
- Using the Toolbar Dialog
-
- The ToolBar dialog lets you define the commands which will be
- executed when you press the toolbar icons for User Defined actions 1,
- 2, 3, or 4, in the Control, Channel, and Query Windows. The Toolbar
- dialog can be activated by using the Popup or Options menu.
-
- The commands that are executed from the Toolbar depend upon the
- window that is active when a Toolbar icon is pressed. For each
- control, enter the command or text you would like to enter in either
- the Control, Channel, or Query Window when the respective toolbar
- icon is clicked. The values entered should be exactly what would be
- entered at the command line if entering it manually. Note that the
- information bar to the right of the Toolbar will display the command
- that would be executed if the icon were pressed.
-
- If the character sequence %% is embedded in the text of the command,
- the command will not be immediately executed. Instead it will be
- displayed in the Input Window without the %% characters. In addition,
- if the %% sequence is not at the end of the text, insert mode will be
- activated.
-
- OK - Press the OK push button to save the definitions for present
- future IRC sessions and terminate the Toolbar dialog.
-
- Cancel - Press this push button to terminate the Toolbar dialog
- without making any changes.
-
- Help - Press this push button to obtain help on using this Dialog.
-
-
- Using the Notify Dialog
-
- The Notify Dialog is used to update the Notify nickname list and is
- invoked by pressing the Notify icon on the toolbar or via the Popup
- menu.
-
- To add a nickname to the list, enter the nickname in the top line of
- the list box and press "Add."
-
- To delete a nickname from the list, select the nickname entry and
- press "Delete."
-
- When you have finished updating the list, press the "OK" button.
-
- When a user in the notify lists signs on or off of IRC you will be
- notified. Keep in mind that if a user changes their nickname it will
- be treated as if the user signed off of IRC.
-
-
- Using the Join Dialog
-
- The Join Dialog is used to join a channel and is invoked by pressing
- the Join icon on the toolbar or via the Popup menu. A new window is
- created for each channel joined.
-
- To join a channel in the list, select the channel and press the "OK"
- button, or simply double click on the channel entry.
-
- Note that if you have the Novice checkbox selected in the Settings
- dialog, any channel you have previously joined will be left before
- joining the new channel.
-
- You may join a channel not listed by entering the name of the channel
- in the top line of the list box and pressing "OK."
-
- You may add a channel to the list by entering the name of the channel
- in the top line of the list box and pressing "Add." Up to 40 channel
- names can be saved.
-
- To delete a channel from the list, select the channel entry and press
- "Delete."
-
- The "Cancel" push button terminates the Join dialog without
- attempting to join a channel.
-
-
- Using the Query Dialog
-
- The Query Dialog is used to begin a query session with another
- nickname and is invoked by pressing the Query icon on the toolbar or
- via the Popup menu. A new window is created for each query initiated.
-
- To start a query, select the nickname from the list box and press the
- "OK" button, or simply double click on the nickname entry.
-
- You may query a nickname not listed by entering the nickname in the
- top line of the list box and pressing "OK."
-
- You may add a nickname to the list by entering the nickname in the
- top line of the list box and pressing "Add."
-
- To delete a nickname from the list, select the nickname entry and
- press "Delete."
-
- The "Cancel" push button terminates the Query dialog without
- initiating a query session.
-
-
- Setting Up Multiple Clients
-
- You may set up additional program objects for the GammaTech IRC
- Client which will use a different nickname or other settings.
-
- All of the settings information is kept in the gtirc.ini file by
- default. You may override the name of the ini file to be used. If an
- ini file does not exist on startup, it will be created for you.
-
- To create another program object for the purpose of using another
- nickname, follow the instructions below:
-
- * Drag a Program object from the OS/2 Templates folder to the
- desktop. This will open a notebook page.
-
- * On the Program page fill in the following:
-
- Path and file name: d:\GTIRC\GTIRC.EXE
- Parameters: /I=nick.INI
- Working directory: d:\GTIRC
-
- Note that d: should be replaced with your drive letter such as C:
- and that the string "nick" should be replaced with whatever name
- you wish the ini file to be called. The nickname is suggested.
-
- Go to the General tab on the notebook page and change the title to
- that desired. The nickname is suggested. Close the notebook page and
- drag the new program object to the desired folder.
-
-
- General Reference Information
-
-
- Message Routing
-
- IRC was originally developed for all input and output in a single
- window area. Many IRC clients today still use a text mode interface.
- The GammaTech IRC client is a Presentation Manager GUI environment
- which allows separate windows for each channel and query.
-
- Therefore, there are special considerations when routing messages
- from the IRC server to the appropriate window in the GammaTech IRC
- client.
-
- Generally, unsolicited notification messages which do not belong to
- any channel or query will be sent to either the control window or the
- last window the user was using depending on the nature of the
- message. The control window is the window first opened when you start
- the GammaTech IRC client.
-
- Messages targeted to a channel will be directed to the Channel Window
- if one is open. This occurs even if the user action which generated
- the message was performed from a different window. In rare cases, an
- incoming message to a channel will be in transit when the Channel
- Window is being closed by the users request. These messages will be
- sent to the control window.
-
- Private messages from a user will be directed first to any Query
- Window which may be open. If no Query Window is open, the message is
- sent to the last window in use.
-
- Messages received as a result of a display command will be displayed
- in the current window. This can have some undesired effects. The
- command responses are frequently sent as a number of individual
- messages from the server. If you change the IRC window you are using
- while these messages are being transmitted to you, you will have some
- of the display in the original window and some in the new window.
-
- Finally, if the routing of a message cannot be appropriately
- determined, it will be sent to either the current window or the
- control window. So, if something is not working as expected, check
- the control window for messages.
-
-
- Special Nickname Identifiers
-
- The various display commands which display users will often times
- have special characters beside the nickname or channel name which
- indicate special attributes as follows:
-
- H here
- G gone - as in away set
- @ channel operator
- + can send on moderated channel
- * IRC Operator
-
-
- User Modes
-
- User modes are special attributes of a client, nickname or user.
- Those attributes are displayed next to the nickname in the title bar
- as (+x) where "x" is one or more of the characters shown below. If
- the character does not appear, then that attribute is not set.
-
- i Nickname is invisible to anyone who does not know the exact
- spelling of the nickname.
-
- o IRC Operator status. Can only be set by the /OPER command.
-
- s This client is to receive server notices.
-
- w This client is to receive wallops messages. These are messages to
- all IRCops.
-
-
- Channel Modes
-
- Channel modes are special attributes assigned to channels by channel
- operators. The channel mode is displayed by (+x) after the channel
- name (where "x" is one or more mode characters shown below) in the
- Channel Window title bar. The absence of a character there indicates
- that the mode is set off. A list of mode characters is shown below.
-
- p Channel is private
- s Channel is secret.
- i Channel is invite only. Users joining must be invited first.
- t Channel topic may be set only by channel operators.
- n No messages from outside the channel may be sent to this channel.
- m Channel is moderated. Only chanops and those they designate may talk.
- ln Maximum users on the channel is set to "n"
- k Channel has a required key (password) to join it.
-
-
- IRC Primer
-
- IRC stands for "Internet Relay Chat." It is a multi-user,
- multi-channel chat network which allows people all over the world to
- have real time conversations. It was originally written by Jarkko
- Oikarinen in 1988. The channels are virtual places with names
- indicating the type of conversations, many of which have specific
- topics for discussion. Users talk in groups, or in private
- conversations using a user selected nickname.
-
- IRC is based on the client-server model. A server is a system that
- transports messages from one client to one or more other clients. The
- client is the individual user who connects to a server for this
- service. The GammaTech IRC software is an IRC client. Clients and
- servers are available on many different platforms.
-
-
- Etiquette
-
- When you first join a channel, it is a good idea to just "listen" for
- awhile to get the drift of the conversation. The same way you would
- when walking up to a group of people having a discussion.
-
- It's not necessary to greet everyone personally when you first join a
- channel. Usually one hello is enough. The same goes for good-byes.
- Also, don't expect everyone to greet you back.
-
- Communications in most channels is with the English language.
- However, since IRC is an international network, some channels are in
- other languages. It is inappropriate to join a channel and speak a
- language different than that being used.
-
- Remember that other people on IRC form their opinions about you based
- only on your actions, writings and comments, so think before you
- type.
-
- Generally, offensive words, harassing other users, constant beeping
- or flooding the channel with undesired text are all considered
- inappropriate behavior.
-
-
- Privacy
-
- Keep in mind that every message you send on IRC goes through one, or
- possibly many servers to get to the intended user (even "private"
- messages). Each one of these points in the network has the capability
- of examining the content of your messages. IRC is NOT a secure way of
- communicating.
-
-
- Acronyms
-
- The use of acronyms in the text of messages from IRC users is common
- place. These acronyms save typing and are generally understood by IRC
- users. For instance, the acronym "ttyl" stands for "talk to you
- later." A list of the most common acronyms may be found in the
- glossary.
-
-
- Common Questions
-
- Which server should I connect to?
-
- The GammaTech IRC client has a default list of servers. You will find
- these in the Connect Dialog. You may add to and delete from this
- list. For starters, you should select one from the list which is
- geographically close to you.
-
- Today there are several IRC networks. The original and most common
- server network is EF Net. The Undernet is another popular network. In
- addition there are other smaller and more specific IRC networks from
- which to choose. Keep in mind that a public channel is available on
- all servers of a given network. Channels do not cross network
- boundaries. You can identify Undernet network servers by the word
- "undernet" in their server names. Generally the other smaller and
- specific networks do not use the standard port of 6667.
-
- You should probably start with either the EF Net or Undernet
- networks. As a matter of use you will become familiar with other
- networks available.
-
- Once you have connected to one of these servers, you may obtain a
- rather lengthy list of active servers by entering the /LINKS command.
- You will also learn of servers others are using in the normal course
- of being an IRC participant.
-
- After having used IRC for awhile and tried different servers, you
- will develop a list of servers which best suit your needs. Some
- servers are heavier loaded than others and some have stability
- problems.
-
-
- How do I pick a channel to join?
-
- The GammaTech IRC client Join Dialog contains a list of several
- channels you may wish to start with. You can add and delete entries
- from this list. You can also get a list of all available channels by
- using the /LIST command.
-
- The channel list displayed from the /LIST command can be very
- lengthy. See the /LIST command in the Command Reference on ways to
- limit the listing.
-
- You may also wish to log your IRC session while getting the list so
- you will have a text file of the various channels for reference. The
- log file options are found in the Settings Dialog and may be accessed
- via the Popup or Options menu option.
-
- The channel names do not always accurately represent the nature of
- the conversations on the channel. After visiting several channels you
- will soon have a list of your favorites.
-
- Channel names always begin with either a POUND sign (#) or an AND
- sign (&). Channels beginning with a "#" are accessible by users
- connected to any server in the IRC network. Channels beginning with a
- "&" are limited to just those clients connected to the same server
- you to which you are attached.
-
- To join a channel, use either the Join Dialog, accessed by clicking
- on the Join icon on the toolbar, or use the /JOIN command. To user
- the /JOIN command, type /JOIN #channel in the input area and press
- Enter. In either case, a new "channel" window will be opened for the
- channel.
-
-
- I have joined a channel, now what?
-
- Now, in the Output Window of the new Channel Window, you should begin
- seeing messages from the other members of that channel. Each
- message will be prefixed with a <nickname> sequence designating the
- nickname of the person who typed the message.
-
- To send your own text to the channel, simply key the text in the
- input area and press Enter. The only restriction is that your text
- may not begin with a forward slash "/" because that character is used
- to designate an IRC command. Some of the more useful IRC commands are
- described a little later. A complete list of IRC commands are shown
- in the Command Reference section.
-
- You do not need to enter your nickname in the text you send to the
- channel. The IRC client does that for you automatically. However,
- if you are replying to a specific nickname on the channel, it is a
- good idea to place their nickname at the beginning or end of the
- message. For example:
-
- Nick: hi! How are you today?
- or
- Hi! How are you today nick?
-
- Some messages may appear in your output area with the senders
- nickname enclosed in asterisks (*) such as *nick* instead of the
- normal <nick> method. This indicates that the message was a private
- message sent to you alone using the /MSG command. The other members
- of the channel will not see that message.
-
- You can send a private message back to that nickname using the /MSG
- command or by starting a Query session with the nickname. You should
- review the /MSG and /QUERY commands in the command reference. For
- starters, use the /MSG command to send a private message to only the
- specified nickname.
-
-
- What is DCC all about?
-
- The GammaTech IRC Client supports both the DCC Chat and DCC Send
- commands. DCC stands for "Direct Client-to-Client," and allows
- users on a channel to interact directly with one another, off of the
- channel. DCC Chat allows users to chat directly to each other, while
- DCC Send allows you to send a file directly to the person you are
- chatting with, via the DCC protocol. However, DCC can become a
- nuisance if you do not wish to be continually invited to a DCC chat,
- so the Settings Dialog allows you to refuse all incoming DCC chat
- offers, while allowing you to offer a DCC chat with others. See the
- /DCC chat and /DCC send commands in the IRC Commands section below,
- and the DCC entries in the Settings Dialog explained above.
-
-
- How do I create my own channel?
-
- Simply pick a channel name not in use and join that channel. Being
- the first person on the channel gives you ownership of the channel
- and you become the channel operator for that channel. More about
- channel operators is discussed later.
-
- To remove the channel, all participants leave the channel and it is
- automatically removed.
-
-
- How do I leave a channel?
-
- To leave a channel enter the /LEAVE command or you may click on the
- Leave Channel icon on the toolbar. You may also close the Channel
- Window by double clicking on the system menu icon at the top left
- corner of the window.
-
- To leave IRC all together, use the /QUIT command or select the
- Files-Signoff menu item.
-
-
- What is a Query?
-
- A query is a method of sending messages to and receiving messages
- from a specific nickname. For simple, one time exchanges, the /MSG
- command can be used. For ongoing conversations it is easier to start
- a query.
-
- Starting a query opens a new window for the message traffic for just
- that nickname. You no longer have to use the /MSG command as all
- messages entered in the Input Window for the Query Window are sent as
- private messages.
-
- To start a query, use the /QUERY nickname command. Or, to bring up
- the Query Dialog, click on the Query icon on the toolbar. When using
- the Query Dialog a list of "favorite" nicknames can be maintained.
-
- Note that not all IRC clients have the advanced query capabilities of
- the GammaTech IRC client. Using query may cause an extra load on the
- persons which you are in query with. In some instances, it may be
- better to create a new channel for the two of you get together there
- for conversation.
-
-
- Some of the more useful IRC commands
-
- All IRC commands begin with a forward slash (/). A complete list of
- the available IRC commands is provided in the Command Reference
- section as well as the on-line help. You do not need to know all of
- these commands to use IRC. The more prominent commands are listed
- below.
-
- You should be aware that not all options are shown for the commands
- in this section. For a complete list of options and functions refer
- to the Command Reference or the on-line help.
-
-
- Terminating IRC
-
- /BYE [reason for leaving]
- /QUIT [reason for leaving]
- /SIGNOFF [reason for leaving]
-
- All of the above are equivalent. Optionally you may enter the reason
- you are leaving. The brackets ( [ ] ) indicate that the parameter is
- optional. You do not actually enter the bracket characters.
-
- It is not necessary to leave the channels you have joined before
- quitting.
-
-
- Channel or Query related commands
-
- /INVITE nickname - Invites another IRC user to join the current
- channel.
-
- /JOIN #channel - Joins a channel and opens a Channel Window. You may
- also join by using the Join Dialog accessed by clicking on the Join
- icon on the title bar.
-
- /KICK nickname reason text - Forcibly removes a nickname from
- membership in the current channel. The nickname can rejoin if they
- desire. This command is restricted to channel operators.
-
- /LEAVE - Leaves and closes a channel or Query Window.
-
- /ME text - This is a shortcut command which displays a message in the
- current channel describing something you are doing. For example, if
- your nickname is "nick and you enter /ME is happy, a message will be
- displayed in the channel such as: * nick is happy.
-
- /NAMES - Displays a list of the nicknames currently joined to the
- current channel.
-
- /QUERY nickname - Opens a Query Window. You may also start a query
- using the Query Dialog by clicking on the Query icon on the toolbar.
-
- /TOPIC - Displays the topic for the channel if one is set.
-
-
- Commands pertaining to other users
-
- /IGNORE nickname - If another IRC user is annoying you, you may
- ignore all messages from that nickname using this command. Any future
- messages from them will not be displayed on your screen.
-
- /NOTIFY nickname - This command causes you to be notified when a
- nickname signs on to or leaves IRC. If they change their nickname,
- you will be notified that the nickname has left. You may access the
- Notify Dialog to change the notify nickname list by clicking on the
- Notify icon on the toolbar.
-
- /WHOIS nickname - This command displays more detailed information
- regarding an IRC user.
-
- /WHOWAS nickname - The /WHOIS command will not find the nickname if
- the user changed their nickname or left IRC. In those cases the
- /WHOWAS command will search the servers history information to
- retrieve the information. The history buffer is not very large so
- the information may not be available if you wait too long.
-
-
- Commands relating to IRC in general
-
- /ISON nickname [nickname ...] - This command searches the list of
- nicknames specified and returns a new list of just those who are
- currently on IRC.
-
- /LINKS - This command displays a list of all the IRC servers which
- are connected to your server. You can learn of other servers with
- this command, as well as the general layout of the IRC network.
-
- /LIST - This command displays a list of the current channels on IRC.
- The list can be very long. It might be a good idea to look at the
- /LIST command in the Command Reference or on-line help and use some
- of the parameters which limit the display.
-
- /MOTD - This command displays the Message Of The Day from the server
- you are connected with. Usually the MOTD is displayed when you first
- connect with a server.
-
-
- Other useful commands
-
- /AWAY [reason] This command sets an away indicator and the reason
- you are away. Anyone sending you a private message will be notified
- that you are away and the reason. When you return, you can remove the
- away flag by entering the /AWAY command again without any
- parameters.
-
- /NICK newnick This command is used to change your nickname on the
- fly while you are on IRC. A message will be sent to all of the
- channels you are joined with telling them you have changed your
- nickname and what the new nickname is.
-
-
- What do the special characters by a users nickname mean?
-
- Several of the displays regarding users on IRC have special
- characters in the display associated with the nickname. Here is what
- they mean:
-
- H here
- G gone - as in away set
- @ channel operator
- + can send on moderated channel
- * IRC Operator
-
-
- What is a Channel Operator?
-
- The channel operator is the "king of the mountain" so to speak.
- Chanops, as they are sometimes called, have special privileges on the
- channel in that they can set the channel mode, kick users off the
- channel, ban users from joining the channel, etc. The first user
- joining a channel (creating a channel) is automatically given channel
- operator status. The channel operator can give chanop status to other
- users who have joined the channel. Channel operators are designated
- by an @ by their nicknames.
-
-
- What is an IRC Operator?
-
- An IRC operator is one who maintains the IRC network from a server
- standpoint. Although they are sometimes referred to as IRCops, they
- do not generally police for channel abuse. They may police for
- network or server abuse and ban individuals from their servers if
- misuse is found.
-
- IRC operators do not generally fix channel problems or get involved
- in channel related disputes. If you create a channel and give someone
- else channel operator status, and that person then kicks you off the
- channel, do not expect the IRC operators to give assistance. These
- situations occur from time to time and are referred to as channel
- takeovers. The IRC operators do not know who is telling the truth in
- such matter, so they just let you duke it out for yourselves.
-
-
- What is a bot?
-
- A bot is short for "robot." It is a program that is joined to a
- channel in the same manner as any other user. It generally performs
- some action based on messages on the channel. For example, a bot may
- be given channel operator privileges and then watch for certain
- nicknames to join the channel. When those nicknames are detected, the
- bot will give them channel operator status.
-
- Many servers prohibit use of bots. Nonetheless they seem to be quite
- abundant. They are a primary tool in channel takeovers, reclaiming
- channels and protecting channels from takeovers. Some even provide
- useful services such as database lookups and the like.
-
-
- Someone is using my nickname, now what?
-
- Your nickname is yours as long as you are on IRC. Another user cannot
- get your nickname using the /NICK command if it is in use. There
- are some exceptions to this in the case of a netsplit. Someone may
- begin using your nickname while you are not on IRC. Nobody "owns" a
- given nickname. You can ask them to give up the nickname, but there
- is nothing that says they have to. One solution is to add a numeric
- at the end of your nickname and use that temporarily. For instance if
- you use "nick" as a nickname, and someone else is using it today, use
- "nick1".
-
- You may hear of a service called "NickServ". It has been shut down
- for awhile and is not expected to be placed back in service.
-
-
- Someone is using my channel, now what?
-
- If someone is using the channel name you usually use, the easiest
- thing is to just pick another channel name. For instance "#mychan1"
- instead of "#mychan".
-
- Don't expect the IRC operators to get involved in nickname or channel
- name disputes.
-
- There are no channel operators on my channel, now what?
-
- The best way is to have everyone leave the channel which will cause
- it to be removed. The first person thereafter to join the channel
- will then be given channel operator status.
-
- If this occurs due to a netsplit, wait for the split to rejoin. This
- normally only takes a few minutes.
-
-
- What is a netsplit?
-
- Remember that the IRC network is composed of many servers connected
- together. The individual users (or clients) are attached to one of
- these servers. If two servers break their connection, a network split
- or netsplit occurs. For a period of time, there are essentially two
- networks, one on each side of the split.
-
- This split condition can cause some interesting side effects when the
- split "heals." For instance if a user signs on to IRC on the other
- side of the split using the same nickname as you, then a nickname
- collision will occur when the split heals. One or both of you may be
- removed from IRC in hopes that only one of you comes back with that
- nickname.
-
- Another situation that can occur is that a channel can be left
- without a channel operator if all of the channel operators were on
- one side of the split.
-
- Then there is the case where nobody was on one side of the split so
- the channel on that isolated side is removed. Now a user on that side
- joins the channel, thereby recreating it and that user is given
- channel operator status. Then the split heals and this user has
- channel operator status where normally they would not have been
- granted such.
-
- Netsplits occur quite frequently. Whenever several users suddenly
- leave a channel at the same moment without warning, you have most
- likely experienced a netsplit. From their viewpoint it looks like you
- and the rest of the people on your side left the channel.
-
- Netsplits normally are healed within two to five minutes. You will
- see them suddenly join again all at once, or one at a time as they
- change servers to get back into the main stream.
-
- Where can I find additional information about IRC?
-
- Just about everything you could want to know about IRC on the OS/2
- platform can be found by anonymous FTP to cs-ftp.bu.edu or
- hobbes.nmsu.edu. There is even source code for some IRC clients as
- well as technical documentation.
-
- The best advice regarding IRC is to be willing to take the time to
- explore and learn to use it. You will be rewarded with many hours of
- enjoyment.
-
-
- IRC Commands
-
- ADMIN
-
- The ADMIN command displays information regarding the administration
- of an IRC server.
-
- Syntax: /ADMIN [servername|nickname]
-
- If the server name is omitted, information for the server you are
- connected with will be displayed. If nickname is specified,
- information about the server on which that client is connected will
- be displayed.
-
- Examples:
-
- /ADMIN
- /ADMIN irc.texas.net
- /ADMIN george
-
-
- AWAY
-
- The AWAY command is used to notify other IRC users that you are away
- and will not be responding to messages. When the Away status is set,
- and a IRC user sends you a private message, a response is returned to
- that user explaining that you are away and the reason.
-
- Syntax: /AWAY [reason]
-
- When a reason is given, you are set as Away. When no reason is
- provided, you are set as not Away.
-
- Examples:
-
- /AWAY gone to eat
- /AWAY
-
-
- BYE
-
- The BYE command terminates your IRC session. A reason may be given
- which is broadcast to the participants of any channels you had
- joined.
-
- Syntax: /BYE [reason]
-
- If a reason is not provided, a reason of "Leaving" is generated.
-
- This command is synonymous with "QUIT" and "SIGNOFF". You may also
- use the File - Signoff menu option to terminate your IRC session.
-
-
- CLIENTINFO
-
- The CLIENTINFO command sends a request to the specified IRC user
- client software asking what CTCP (Client To Client Protocol) commands
- are supported.
-
- Syntax: /CLIENTINFO nickname
-
- Providing that the client software for "nickname" supports the
- CLIENTINFO command, a list of supported commands will be returned.
- Clients that do not support CLIENTINFO may return an error message,
- or nothing at all. Some clients may return information other than
- that expected.
-
- Examples:
-
- /CLIENTINFO george
-
- Result:
-
- *** CLIENTINFO (george): VERSION CLIENTINFO PING FINGER
-
-
- DATE
-
- The DATE command queries the requested server of client for the
- current time at that location. The DATE command is synonymous with
- the TIME command.
-
- Syntax: /DATE [servername] [nickname]
-
- If no server or client name is provided, the request is made to the
- server on which you are connected. If a nickname is provided, the
- request is sent to the client software used by the nickname as a CTCP
- command. Not all IRC clients support CTCP TIME requests so
- information returned may not be as expected or no response may be
- given at all.
-
- Examples:
-
- /DATE
- /DATE irc.texas.net
- /DATE george
-
- Result:
-
- *** irc.texas.net : Tuesday March 28 1995 -- 08:47 -06:00
- *** TIME (george): Tue Mar 28 08:47:15 1995
-
-
- DCC CHAT
-
- The DCC CHAT command is used to initiate a private DCC chat session
- with another user.
-
- Syntax: /DCC CHAT nickname
-
- When this command is entered, the user specified is notified that you
- wish to establish a DCC Chat session with them. They then have the
- option to accept the offer and establish the chat session or decline
- the offer. In any event, a new window is created where the chat
- session will take place if it is accepted.
-
- The DCC chat session is conducted as a direct client to client
- session and is therefore more secure since it does not use the IRC
- network for message traffic. The session is not affected by netsplits
- or server outages and you can change servers without impacting the
- DCC Chat session.
-
- Example:
-
- /DCC CHAT george
-
- See also the DCC entries in the Settings Dialog explained above.
-
-
- DCC SEND
-
- The DCC SEND command is used to transmit a file to another user.
-
- Syntax: /DCC SEND nickname file.name
-
- When this command is entered, the user specified is notified that you
- wish to send them a file. They then have the option to accept the
- offer and receive the file or decline the offer. In any event, a new
- window is created where the file transfer session will take place if
- it is accepted.
-
- The DCC SEND session is conducted as a direct client to client
- session and is therefore not affected by server performance
- netsplits or server outages. Changing servers will not impact the DCC
- file transfer.
-
- Example:
-
- /DCC SEND george myfile.dat
-
- See also the DCC entries in the Settings Dialog explained above.
-
-
- DEOP
-
- The DEOP command removes IRC operator status.
-
- Syntax: /DEOP
-
- This command is used by a user with IRC operator privileges to remove
- IRC operator status from themselves.
-
-
- ECHO
-
- The ECHO command sends a string of text to the requested IRC users
- client software which in turn sends it back unchanged.
-
- Syntax: /ECHO nickname text
-
- The ECHO command uses the CTCP protocol to send the request to the
- client. Not all IRC client software supports the CTCP ECHO command.
- For this reason, an error message may be returned, or text which is
- not expected, or no response at all.
-
- Examples:
-
- /ECHO george Hello world
-
- Result:
-
- *** ECHO (george): Hello world
-
-
- FINGER
-
- The FINGER command displays the real name and idle time of an IRC
- user.
-
- Syntax: /FINGER nickname
-
- The FINGER command uses the CTCP protocol to send the request to the
- client. Not all IRC client software supports the CTCP FINGER command.
- For this reason, an error message may be returned, or text other than
- that expected, or no response at all.
-
- Examples:
-
- /FINGER george
-
- Result:
-
- ***FINGER (george): George D. Smith, Idle 15 seconds
-
-
- IGNORE
-
- The IGNORE command allows you to block messages from another user so
- that they are not displayed in your IRC windows.
-
- Syntax: /IGNORE [nickname|user@host] [+|-type ...]
-
- If no parameters are specified, the ignore list is displayed.
-
- If only the nickname or user@host parameter is specified, all
- messages for that user will be ignored.
-
- Either the nickname or the user@host of the user may be specified. If
- the user@host is specified, you do not have to enter the entire host
- name, only as much as is required to identify the user. You can
- obtain the users user@hostname using the WHOIS command.
-
- You may specify the types of messages to be ignored. Specifying a "+"
- will cause the associated message type to be ignored. Specifying a
- "-" will allow those message types through if previously they were
- set to be ignored. If neither "+" or "-" are specified "+" is
- assumed. The allowable message types are shown below. If no type is
- provided, ALL is assumed.
-
- MSGS Private messages to you
- CHAN Messages to channels
- INV Invites
- CTCP CTCP command requests
- ALL All messages
-
- The ignore list is not retained from IRC session to IRC session.
-
- Examples:
-
- /IGNORE george
- /IGNORE george MSGS CTCP
- /IGNORE george +MSGS +CTCP
- /IGNORE george -
- /IGNORE george -MSGS
-
-
- INFO
-
- The INFO command shows information regarding people related to the
- development of Internet Relay Chat.
-
- Syntax: /INFO [server]
-
- If server is not provided, the server to which you are connected
- responds to the command. Otherwise it is sent to the requested server
- for processing.
-
- Examples:
-
- /INFO
- /INFO irc.texas.net
-
-
- INVITE
-
- Invite a user to join a channel.
-
- Syntax: /INVITE nickname [channel]
-
- If channel is not specified, the current channel is used.
-
- This command sends a message to the specified nickname inviting them
- to join the channel specified or defaulted. The channel does not
- have to exist.
-
- If the channel is invite only (+i) then the issuer of this command
- must be a channel operator.
-
- Examples:
-
- /INVITE george
- /INVITE george #chatter
-
-
- ISON
-
- The ISON command is used to determine if one or more nicknames are
- currently on IRC.
-
- Syntax: /ISON nick1 [nick2 ...]
-
- The list of nicknames, separated by spaces, is analyzed and the list
- is returned with only those nicknames currently on IRC.
-
- Example:
-
- /ISON george linker jazzy wizard
-
- Result:
-
- ISON george wizard
-
-
- JOIN
-
- The JOIN command is used to join one or more channels. A new window
- is opened for each channel joined.
-
- Syntax: /JOIN channel[,channel ...] [key,key ...]
-
- When the Novice mode is checked in the Settings dialog, only one
- channel may be joined at any one time. Joining a second channel will
- automatically leave the current channel and the new channel joined.
-
- If Novice is not checked, a maximum of 10 channels may be joined.
-
- If the channel is protected by a key (password) then the appropriate
- key must be provided to join the channel. In the parameter list for
- the JOIN command, the first key listed goes with the first channel
- listed and so on.
-
- You may also join a channel by using the Join icon on the toolbar or
- via the Popup menu.
-
- The total number of channel plus Query Windows permitted is 10.
-
- Examples:
-
- /JOIN #chat
- /JOIN #chat,#os/2
- /JOIN #secret please
-
-
- KICK
-
- The KICK command is used to remove someone from a channel. It is a
- forced leave. This command is restricted to channel operators only.
- Note that a user removed by KICK can simply rejoin the channel.
-
- Syntax: /KICK [channel] nickname [reason for kick]
-
- If the KICK command is issued from the Channel Window of the channel
- where the nick is joined, the channel does not need to be specified.
- To kick from a different channel or window, specify the channel name.
-
- Since kicking is often times used as a warning, a reason for the kick
- is generally appropriate, but not required.
-
- Examples:
-
- /KICK #chat george for flooding the channel
- /KICK george for acting up
-
-
- KILL
-
- The KILL command is used to disconnect an IRC user (client) from a
- server.
-
- Syntax: /KILL nickname reason
-
- The KILL command is restricted to IRC operators only. It is used
- primarily to get rid of ghost sessions. Servers may automatically
- generate KILL's when nickname collisions occur.
-
- Example:
-
- /KILL george Clean up ghost session
-
-
- LEAVE
-
- The LEAVE command is used to depart from a channel or terminate a
- query session.
-
- Syntax: /LEAVE [channel,channel ...]
-
- If the LEAVE command is issued without parameters, the current
- channel/query will be terminated. If issued from a window, other than
- the channel/query you wish to leave, the channel and/or query names
- must be specified.
-
- You may leave multiple channels and/or query sessions by specifying
- multiple names separated by commas.
-
- Leaving a channel or query will automatically close the channel or
- Query Window.
-
- You may also leave by pressing the Leave Channel icon on the toolbar
- of the related window, or close the window by double clicking on the
- system menu icon at the top left corner of the window.
-
- When terminating IRC, it is not necessary to leave all channels and
- queries first.
-
- Examples:
-
- /LEAVE
- /LEAVE #chat
- /LEAVE george
- /LEAVE #chat,george
-
-
- LINKS
-
- The LINKS command displays a list of all servers connected to the
- server specified.
-
- Syntax: /LINKS [server [wildcard]]
-
- If server is not specified, the server to which you are attached is
- used. Otherwise the information is requested from the specified
- server.
-
- If the wildcard is specified, information is returned only if it
- matches the wildcard expression. If wildcard is specified, the server
- must also be specified.
-
- The output of this command is directed to a new window created when
- the command is entered. The information shown in this display window
- is a snapshot at the time when the command was executed. To close
- this display window double click on the icon in the upper left
- corner of the window. Depending on the server response time, it may
- take several seconds for information to appear in the window.
-
- Examples:
-
- /LINKS
- /LINKS irc.texas.net
- /LINKS *.au coombs*
-
- In the last example above, the server with a name matching *.au will
- be queried for a list of attached servers matching coombs*.
-
-
- LIST
-
- The LIST command displays one or more active channels which includes
- the channel name, number of users and, if available, the topic for
- the channel.
-
- Syntax: /LIST [mask] [channel[,channel ...] ]
-
- If no parameters are specified, all channels are displayed. This list
- can be quite lengthy.
-
- The list can be limited by specifying a mask value of one or more of
- the following:
-
- -MIN n Display channels with at least n users.
- -MAX n Display channels with no more than n users.
- -PUB Display only public channels.
- -PRI Display only private channels.
- -TOP Display only channels with a topic set.
-
- If one or more channel names are specified, only those channels are
- listed.
-
- The /LIST command also allows the use of wildcard characters in the
- channel name field. Valid characters are * and ?, and have the same
- meaning as when used with OS/2 file names. So, the channel operand of
- the /LIST command can have any one of the following three formats:
-
- channel,channel,... Lists the specified channels only
- * Lists the current channel, when executed from a Channel Window
- <wildcard expression> Lists all channels matching the expression
-
- Example of wildcard expressions:
-
- ?bible
- #bib*
- ?chat*
-
- Note that when using wildcard expressions it takes time to create the
- list since all channels must be retrieved and then filtered using the
- wildcard expressions input by the user.
-
- Secret channels are not listed unless you are joined to that channel.
-
- The output of this command is directed to a new window created when
- the command is entered. The information shown in this display window
- is a snapshot at the time when the command was executed. To close
- this display window double click on the icon in the upper left
- corner of the window. Depending on the server response time it may
- take several seconds for information to appear in the window.
-
- Examples:
-
- /LIST
- /LIST #chat,#os/2
- /LIST -min 3 -max 10
- /LIST *
- /LIST -pub
- /LIST -min3 #bib*
-
-
- LUSERS
-
- The LUSERS command lists a summary of visible users, servers and
- operators.
-
- Syntax: /LUSERS [wildcard [server]]
-
- If the wildcard expression is provided, the summary is limited to
- those users and servers which match the wild card.
-
- If server is specified, the information is queried from that server.
- Otherwise it is obtained from the server to which you are connected.
-
- Examples:
-
- /LUSERS
- /LUSERS *.edu
- /LUSERS *.edu irc.texas.net
-
-
- ME
-
- The ME command describes an action on the current channel. The ME
- command is only valid when executed for a window joined to a channel.
-
- Syntax: /ME text
-
- This command displays a message on the channel which indicates that
- you are doing something interesting.
-
- Examples:
-
- /ME is very happy
- /ME is rolling on the floor laughing
-
- Results:
-
- * mynick is very happy
- * mynick is rolling on the floor laughing
-
-
- MODE
-
- The MODE command displays or changes the user or channel modes. It is
- also used to ban users from a channel.
-
- To display or set the user mode use the following syntax:
-
- Syntax: /MODE nickname [+|-][flags]
-
- Your nickname is required. If no other parameters are specified the
- current mode is displayed. Note that your user mode is automatically
- displayed to the right of your nickname in the title bar.
-
- The acceptable flags are shown below. The flags may be prefixed with
- a "+" to set the mode on, or a "-" to set the mode off. If neither
- "+" or "-" is specified then "+" is assumed. More than one flag
- character may be specified.
-
- i Your nickname is invisible to anyone who does not know it's exact
- spelling.
-
- o IRC Operator status. This flag can only be set off with the MODE
- command. To set it on use the /OPER command.
-
- s This client is to receive server notices.
-
- w This client is to receive wallops messages. These are messages to
- all IRCops.
-
- Examples:
-
- /MODE george
- /MODE george +iw
- /MODE george -w
-
- To display or change the channel mode use the following syntax:
-
- Syntax: /MODE *|channel [+|-][flags [parameters]]
-
- To alter a mode the user must have channel operator status.
-
- The channel name or "*" is required. If a channel name of "*" is
- specified, the current channel name is used. If no other parameters
- are specified, the current mode is displayed. Note that the channel
- mode is automatically displayed to the right of the channel name in
- the title bar.
-
- The acceptable flags are shown below. The flags may be prefixed with
- a "+" to set the mode on, or a "-" to set the mode off. If neither
- "+" or "-" is specified, then "+" is assumed. More than one flag
- character may be specified.
-
- o Gives or takes chanop status to another user. The nickname of the
- user must be specified in the parameters.
-
- v Gives or takes the ability to talk on a moderated channel. The
- nickname of the user must be specified in the parameters. Chanops
- always have the ability to talk on a moderated channel. This gives
- them the ability to allow others to talk also without giving them
- ops.
-
- p The channel is private
-
- s The channel is secret.
-
- i Channel is invite only. Users joining must be invited first.
-
- t The channel topic may be set only by channel operators.
-
- n No messages from outside the channel may be sent to this channel.
-
- m The channel is moderated. Only chanops and those they designate may talk.
-
- l Sets a channel limit. No more than the number of users specified
- will be permitted to join the channel. When setting a limit, the
- count must be specified in the parameters. When removing a limit,
- the count is not specified.
-
- k Sets a channel key (password) which must be specified by users
- joining the channel. The key is provided in the parameters. The
- key must be specified whether adding or removing it. The key
- cannot be changed, only added and removed.
-
- b Sets a ban mask. Users matching the ban mask will not be permitted
- to join the channel. The ban mask is specified in the parameters
- and has the format of [nick[!user[@host]]] and may contain wild
- card characters. The list of current bans may be obtained by /MODE
- channel b.
-
- Note that more than one flag and their respective parameters may be
- specified in the same command; however, a limit of three "o" or "b"
- flags may be specified.
-
- Examples:
-
- /MODE *
- /MODE * +im
- /MODE #mychan +o george
- /MODE #mychan -s
- /MODE * +l 30
- /MODE * +lk 30 please
- /MODE * +b george
- /MODE * -b *!*@texas.net
- /MODE * b
-
-
- MOTD
-
- The MOTD command displays the Message Of The Day from the specified
- server.
-
- Syntax: /MOTD [servername|nickname]
-
- If the server name is omitted, information from the server you are
- connected with will be displayed. If a nickname is specified,
- information from the server on which that client is connected will be
- displayed.
-
- Examples:
-
- /MOTD irc.texas.net
- /MOTD george
-
-
- MSG
-
- The MSG command sends a "private" message to the specified
- nickname(s) or sends a message to a channel which you have not
- joined.
-
- Syntax: /MSG nick1[,nick2 ...] | [channel] text
-
- If one or more nicknames are specified, the message is directed to
- only those clients. Therefore, membership in any forums to which you
- and they are participating will not see the message. Keep in mind
- that no message on IRC is truly private in that various
- administrative positions have the capability to see any message
- traffic.
-
- Two special characters may be used in place of a nickname. If "," is
- specified for a nickname, the message will be sent to the last
- nickname who sent you a message. If "." is specified for the
- nickname, the message is sent to the last nickname you sent a
- message. When using "," or "." only one nickname may be specified in
- the command.
-
- If a channel is specified, the message is sent to that channel,
- provided that the channel mode is not (+n) which prevents messages
- from the outside.
-
- Examples:
-
- /MSG george How are you today?
- /MSG #chat I will be joining in 5 minutes, sorry I'm late.
- /MSG george,pauline Talk to you folks later.
-
- Private messages you receive can be discerned from normal channel
- messages by the way in which the sending nickname is presented.
- Normal channel traffic shows the sending nickname as <nick> where
- private messages show them as *nick*.
-
- If several private messages are to be sent and received, it is more
- convenient to start a query with the nickname involved. See the QUERY
- command for more details on this option.
-
-
- NAMES
-
- The NAMES command will display the nicknames of users joined to the
- specified channel.
-
- Syntax: /NAMES [channel,channel ...]
-
- If the channel name is omitted, the current channel is listed. If
- executed from a non-Channel Window and a channel is not provided, an
- error message is returned.
-
- The name information is displayed only for those channels which are
- visible. That is, channels which you have joined, or those which do
- not have a channel mode of (+p) or (+s) are displayed.
-
- The output of this command is directed to a new window created when
- the command is entered. The information shown in this display window
- is a snapshot at the time when the command was executed. To close
- this display window, double click on the icon in the upper left
- corner of the window. Depending on the server response time, it may
- take several seconds for information to appear in the window.
-
- Examples:
-
- /NAMES
- /NAMES #os/2
- /NAMES #chat,#os/2
-
-
- NICK
-
- The NICK command is used to change your nickname.
-
- Syntax: /NICK newnickname
-
- The nickname may have a maximum length of 9 characters. If another
- IRC user is using the new nickname, and error will be returned.
-
- Example:
-
- /NICK george2
-
-
- NOTIFY
-
- The NOTIFY command is used to notify you when a specified nickname
- signs on or off IRC.
-
- Syntax: /NOTIFY [[-]nickname] ... | [+]
-
- The Notify list can also be updated using the Notify Dialog which is
- accessed by clicking on the Notify icon on the toolbar or via the
- Popup menu.
-
- Specifying no parameters on the NOTIFY command will display the
- current status of each nickname in the notify list.
-
- Nicknames specified in the command list are added to the notify list.
- If the specified nickname is prefixed with a "-", it will be removed
- from the notify list.
-
- Specifying a "-" without any other parameters causes all nicknames in
- the notify list to be removed.
-
- Specifying a "+" without any other parameters will display those
- nicknames in the notify list which are currently on IRC.
-
- The Notify nickname list may contain up to 40 nicknames. The check
- for the nickname presence on IRC is performed once per minute.
-
- A user will be shown as signed off when they change their nickname
- too, so keep this in mind.
-
- Notification is performed by displaying a highlighted message in your
- current Output Window such as "*** Signon by nickname detected" or
- "***Signoff by nickname detected."
-
- The notify nickname list is retained across executions of the
- GammaTech IRC client.
-
- Examples:
-
- /NOTIFY
- /NOTIFY george pauly
- /NOTIFY -george
- /NOTIFY +
- /NOTIFY -
-
-
- OPER
-
- The OPER command is used by a normal user to acquire IRC operator
- privileges.
-
- Syntax: /OPER userid password
-
- If the correct userid and password are supplied, the user will be
- given IRC operator privileges on the server to which they are
- connected.
-
-
- PING
-
- The PING command is used to determine the time it takes to send a
- message to another IRC user and back. It is used primarily to
- determine lag time.
-
- Syntax: /PING nick[,nick ...]
-
- If and when a ping response is received from the remote client, the
- elapsed time will be displayed. PING uses the CTCP protocol. Not all
- IRC client software supports CTCP PING. For this reason, the expected
- response may not be received, or no response may be received at all.
-
- Examples:
-
- /PING george
- /PING george,lindap
-
- Results:
-
- *** PING (george): 3 seconds
- *** PING (lindap): 45 seconds
-
-
- QUERY
-
- The QUERY command starts a private chat session with the specified
- nickname. A new Query Window is opened.
-
- Syntax: /QUERY nickname
-
- Issuing the query command opens a window for the private chat
- session, but does not notify the other user that such has taken
- place. Most IRC clients do not support separate windows for private
- chat sessions.
-
- All message traffic in Query Windows is performed as if you were
- executing /MSG commands to the related nickname.
-
- The Query Window can be closed at any time in the same way a Channel
- Window is closed. See /LEAVE.
-
- A query may also be initiated by clicking on the Query icon on the
- toolbar or via the Popup menu.
-
- The total number of channel plus Query Windows permitted at any point
- in time is 10.
-
- Example:
-
- /QUERY george
-
-
- QUIT
-
- The QUIT command terminates your IRC session. A reason may be given
- which is broadcast to the participants of any channels you had
- joined.
-
- Syntax: /QUIT [reason]
-
- If a reason is not provided, a reason of "Leaving" is generated.
-
- This command is synonymous with "BYE" and "SIGNOFF".
-
- You may also use the File - Signoff menu option to terminate your IRC
- session.
-
-
- REHASH
-
- The REHASH command forces the server to reread and process its
- configuration file.
-
- Syntax: /REHASH
-
- This command is restricted to IRC operators.
-
-
- RESTART
-
- The RESTART command forces a server to restart itself.
-
- Syntax: /RESTART
-
- This command is restricted to IRC operators. Not all servers support
- this command.
-
-
- RUN
-
- The RUN command executes IRC commands from a previously created text
- file.
-
- Syntax: /RUN filename
-
- Each line of the file is treated as a IRC command and is executed in
- the window where the RUN command was entered.
-
- The file name may contain a complete drive, path and file name. If
- the drive is omitted, the drive where the IRC software is installed
- is assumed. If the path is omitted, the path of the IRC software is
- assumed.
-
- Script files which flood a channel with unwanted messages can result
- in you being kicked, or even banned, from the channel or server. Do
- not abuse this feature.
-
- Examples:
-
- /RUN script.txt
- /RUN c:\scripts\myscript.txt
-
-
- SIGNOFF
-
- The SIGNOFF command terminates your IRC session. A reason may be
- given which is broadcast to the participants of any channels you had
- joined.
-
- Syntax: /SIGNOFF [reason]
-
- If a reason is not provided, a reason of "Leaving" is generated.
-
- This command is synonymous with "BYE" and "QUIT".
-
- You may also use the File - Signoff menu option to terminate your IRC
- session.
-
-
- SOURCE
-
- The SOURCE command sends a request to the specified IRC user client
- software asking where that software can be acquired.
-
- Syntax: /SOURCE nickname
-
- Providing the client software for "nickname" supports the SOURCE
- command, a description of where the software may be obtained will be
- returned. Clients that do not support SOURCE may return an error
- message, or nothing at all. Some clients may return information
- other than that expected. SOURCE uses the CTCP protocol.
-
- Example:
-
- /SOURCE george
-
- Result:
-
- *** SOURCE (george): SofTouch Systems : (405) 947-8080
-
-
- SQUIT
-
- The SQUIT command is used to force a server to disconnect from the
- IRC network.
-
- Syntax: /SQUIT [server] [comment]
-
- This command is restricted to IRC operators.
-
- If a comment is specified, the server name must also be specified.
-
- Example:
-
- /SQUIT irc.server.edu Disconnecting due to bad connection
-
-
- STATS
-
- The STATS command is used to query statistics from a server.
-
- Syntax: /STATS query [server]
-
- The query field is one of the following characters:
-
- c Returns a list of servers to which the server may connect or allow connections from.
- h Returns a list of servers which are either forced to be treated as leaves or allowed to act as hubs.
- i Returns a list of hosts from which the server allows a client to connect.
- k Returns a list of banned username/hostname combinations for the server.
- l Returns a list of the server's connections, showing how long each connection has been established and the traffic
- over that connection in bytes and messages for each direction.
- m Returns a list of commands supported by the server and the usage count for each if the usage count is non-zero.
- o Returns a list of hosts from which normal clients may become operators.
- y Show Y class lines from server's configuration file.
- u Returns a string showing how long the server has been up.
-
- If the server parameter is not provided, the server you are connected
- with is assumed.
-
- The implementation of this command on any given server is highly
- dependent.
-
- Examples:
-
- /STATS c
- /STATS i irc.texas.net
-
-
- SUMMON
-
- Invite a user to join IRC.
-
- Syntax: /SUMMON user [server]
-
- For this command to function the following conditions must apply: The
- user must be logged into a host running an IRC server; the server
- must have SUMMON enabled; the server must be able to write to the
- users tty terminal.
-
- Most servers do not support SUMMON, so don't expect it to work.
-
- Examples:
-
- /SUMMON george
- /SUMMON george irc.texas.net
-
-
- TIME
-
- The TIME command queries the requested server of client for the
- current time at that location. The TIME command is synonymous with
- the DATE command.
-
- Syntax: /TIME [servername] [nickname]
-
- If no server or client name is provided, the request is made to the
- server on which you are connected. If a nickname is provided, the
- request is sent to the client software used by the nickname as a CTCP
- command. Not all IRC clients support CTCP TIME requests so
- information returned may not be that which is expected or no response
- may be given at all.
-
- Examples:
-
- /TIME
- /TIME irc.texas.net
- /TIME george
-
-
-
- Result:
-
- *** irc.texas.net : Tuesday March 28 1995 -- 08:47 -06:00
- *** TIME (george): Tue Mar 28 08:47:15 1995
-
-
- TOPIC
-
- The TOPIC command is used to display or set a channel topic.
-
- Syntax: /TOPIC [channel] [topic text]
-
- The channel name may be omitted provided the command is entered from
- a window joined to a channel.
-
- You must be joined to the channel before you can set the topic. In
- addition, if the channel mode is +t, only channel operators may set
- the channels topic.
-
- Examples:
-
- /TOPIC
- /TOPIC #chat
- /TOPIC #chat IRC is fun
- /TOPIC IRC is fun
-
-
- USERHOST
-
- The USERHOST command takes a list of up to 5 nicknames and returns
- information about each one.
-
- Syntax: /USERHOST nick1 [nick2 ...]
-
- Note that the nicknames are separated by spaces rather than commas,
- as in most commands.
-
- Example:
-
- /USERHOST george pauline
-
-
- USERINFO
-
- The USERINFO command sends a request to the specified IRC user client
- software asking for user information.
-
- Syntax: /USERINFO nickname
-
- Providing the client software for "nickname" supports the CTCP
- USERINFO command, and that the remote user has set this information,
- the text set by the remote user will be returned. Clients that do not
- support CTCP USERINFO may return an error message, or nothing at all.
- Some clients may return information other than that expected.
-
- Each user sets the text that is to be returned by this command. For
- the GammaTech IRC Client, this information may be set in the "User
- Information" field of the Settings dialog.
-
- Examples:
-
- /USERINFO george
-
- Result:
-
- *** USERINFO (george): I am a happy camper
-
-
- USERS
-
- The USERS command shows the users logged in to the specified server.
-
- Syntax: /USERS [server]
-
- If the server is not specified, the server with which you are
- connected is used.
-
- Many servers have this command disabled for security reasons.
-
- Examples:
-
- /USERS
- /USERS irc.texas.net
-
-
- VERSION
-
- The VERSION command sends a request to the specified IRC user client
- software asking the name, version and platform of the IRC client
- software.
-
- Syntax: /VERSION nickname
-
- Providing the client software for "nickname" supports the VERSION
- command, a description of the name, version and platform will be
- returned. Clients that do not support CTCP VERSION may return an
- error message, or nothing at all. Some clients may return information
- other than that expected.
-
- Example:
-
- /VERSION george
-
- Result:
-
- *** VERSION (george): GammaTech IRC : Version 1.00 : OS/2 Warp
-
-
- WHO
-
- The WHO command lists users on IRC.
-
- Syntax: /WHO [channel | name | 0] [o]
-
- If no parameters are supplied, the current channel name is used.
-
- If a channel name is supplied, or provided by default, the members of
- that channel are listed.
-
- If a name is provided, which is anything that is not a channel name,
- then it may be a wildcard expression and the users will be searched
- by examining their host, server, real name and nickname fields.
-
- If a name of 0 (zero) is specified, all IRC users are listed. This
- will be a very lengthy list.
-
- If the o (oh) operand is provided, only IRC operators matching the
- name mask are displayed. The o operand may only be supplied when a
- name is provided.
-
- Users which are invisible by having a mode of (+i) are listed only if
- they are on a common channel with you.
-
- If the output of the WHO command displays an asterisk (*) in place of
- the channel name, it indicates that the user is either not joined to
- any channels, or that the channels they are joined to are private or
- secret.
-
- The output of this command is directed to a new window created when
- the command is entered. The information shown in this display window
- is a snapshot at the time when the command was executed. To close
- this display window, double click on the icon in the upper left
- corner of the window. Depending on the server response time, it may
- take several seconds for information to appear in the window.
-
- Examples:
-
- /WHO
- /WHO #os/2
- /WHO *george*
- /WHO 0 o
-
-
- WHOIS
-
- The WHOIS command displays detailed information about a nickname.
-
- Syntax: /WHOIS [server] nickname[,nickname ...]
-
- If server is specified for a user connected to a distant server,
- additional information will be provided on how long the user has been
- idle. There is no other good reason to supply a server name.
-
- Information displayed consists of the users name, host, server, real
- name, away status and idle time information.
-
- Examples:
-
- /WHOIS george
- /WHOIS george,philly
- /WHOIS irc.texas.net george
- /WHOIS george george
-
- The last example is a special case where the server name is acquired
- from the nickname. The server used for the query is the server to
- which "george" is connected.
-
-
- WHOWAS
-
- The WHOWAS command displays information about who used the specified
- nickname last, even if it is not currently in use.
-
- Syntax: /WHOWAS nickname [count]
-
- The servers history file is searched for the past usages of the
- nickname and the associated information displayed.
-
- If count is specified, then only the last "count" items are
- displayed.
-
- The server history information is not retained very long, so
- information may not be available.
-
- Examples:
-
- /WHOWAS george
- /WHOWAS george 3
-
-
- Glossary and Acronyms
-
- bbl - Be Back Later
-
- bot - Bot is short for robot. It is an automation, such as a script
- or program, which connects to IRC like any ordinary user but provides
- some service for channel participants.
-
- brb - Be Right Back
-
- btw - By The Way
-
- CTCP - Client To Client Protocol. An extended IRC protocol used for
- direct client to client communications.
-
- channel - The channel is the forum on which discussions occur between
- like minded participants. Channels have a name associated with them
- such as #chat. The first character of the name will be either # or &.
- Channels which begin with # are visible throughout the entire IRC
- network. Those beginning with & are visible only on the server where
- they were created.
-
- Channel Operator - Chanops, as they are sometimes called, have
- special privileges on the channel in that they can set the channel
- mode, kick users off the channel, ban users from joining the channel,
- etc. The first user joining a channel (creating a channel) is
- automatically given channel operator status. Channel operators are
- designated by an @ by their nicknames.
-
- chanop - See Channel Operator.
-
- c u l8r - See you later.
-
- faq - Frequently Asked Questions. There are FAQ's for almost any area
- of interest on the Internet.
-
- flooding - Flooding is the term used for sending voluminous amounts
- of text onto a channel. This is generally considered poor manners.
- It will often times get you kicked from the channel. In addition,
- many servers monitor the amount of traffic from its clients and may
- initiate a throttle control on a given client. From a servers
- viewpoint, one message every two seconds is the maximum acceptable
- rate of messages from a client.
-
- focl - Falling Off Chair Laughing
-
- imho - In My Humble Opinion
-
- imo - In My Opinion
-
- IRC Operator - An IRC operator is one who maintains the IRC network
- from a server standpoint. Although they are sometimes referred to as
- IRCops, they do not generally police for channel abuse. They may
- police for network or server abuse.
-
- lag - The term "lag" is related to the response time of the network.
- It is the time it takes for other users to see a message entered by
- another user. Under good conditions the lag will be 1 to 5 seconds.
- Under poor conditions it can be several minutes. Lag can be a result
- of band width exhaustion on one or more segments of the network, or
- poor performance of a given server. It is not uncommon for users on
- one server to be lagged while other users are not. See the PING
- command for testing lag.
-
- netsplit - The event when two servers break their connections with
- one another thereby splitting the IRC network into two separate
- networks temporarily. This is an error condition. The rejoining of
- the networks occurs when the connection is reestablished and is
- referred to as healing.
-
- oic - Oh, I See
-
- ops - Having or obtaining channel operator status.
-
- otoh - On the other hand
-
- ppl - People
-
- server (IRC) - The IRC network is composed of many servers
- interconnected which communicate with each other regarding network
- health issues and routing of user messages throughout the network.
- User messages are transmitted to the other appropriate servers and to
- the appropriate clients attached to a given server.
-
- rofl - Rolling On Floor Laughing
-
- rotfl - Rolling On The Floor Laughing
-
- ttyl - Talk To You Later
-
- :) or :-) Smiling
-
- :( or :-( Frowning
-