diff --git a/wiki/pages/intro.md b/wiki/pages/intro.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..20ac45b --- /dev/null +++ b/wiki/pages/intro.md @@ -0,0 +1,174 @@ +--- +author: ~el +published: true +title: intro to irc +description: ok so now what do you do? +category: + - main +--- + +while this will _not_ be a comprehensive guide on all the software available, +it will hopefully point you in the right direction. it is adapted from the one +on the [libera.chat website](https://libera.chat) + +## connecting for the first time + +to use irc, first you need to choose a client application. they vary a lot, but +most will have the same basic features and do _not_ cost money, so don't worry +about picking the wrong one. + +you can always use our webchats to avoid installing anything yet: +[our kiwiirc](https://tilde.chat/kiwi/) or [our gamja](https://tilde.chat/gamja/) +browser clients will automatically connect you to `#helpdesk`. + +if you're running a client on a tilde, your client might have been automatically +configured for you when your account was made. most tildes have command line +clients like [weechat](https://weechat.org) or [irssi](https://irssi.org) already +installed so you can try them out and decide which one you prefer. try running +`weechat` or `irssi` to connect to `tilde.chat`. + +if you're running a client you installed yourself on your own phone or computer, +most will have some kind of intro or wizard to get you going. look for a network +called `tilde` or `tilde.chat` if there is a network directory, or set the +network address to `irc.tilde.chat` with port `6697`. + +if there is no wizard, or the process is confusing, you can try to check out the +client's website for some documentation about how to set it up. you can also just +connect through the kiwiirc or gamja webchats mentioned above and find someone to +help. the webchats will connect you to `#helpdesk`, and someone there can point +you in the right direction if you explain what client you are trying to use. + +## talking + +just like in instant messengers, there will be a field in the app where you +will be able to type things. this is where you chat. + +this chat field is also where you can do commands to the server or the client. +commands start with a `/`. + +## conversation windows + +conversations windows are also known as tabs or buffers. they behave similar +to how you might expect from other chat apps. + +in most desktop clients, a list of conversations will be down the left-hand +side in a column. in phone apps, there might be a drawer widget you need to +pull out. + +selecting different items in this list will change what is shown in the main +section of the client, above the field you type chat and commands into. + +the top one is probably the name of the network. when you are doing commands +you don't want others to see, such as [registering](wiki/nicks) an account, +this is a safe place to type them. + +tabs starting with `#` are group chats, which are called `channels`. On +desktop clients, a user membership list will probably show down the right-hand +side of the screen when you have these conversations selected. on phones the +membership list might be in another drawer widget. + +tabs underneath the channels are private conversations you have with people, +or bots, on the network. these are often referred to as a "pm" (private +message) or "queries". + +## private conversations + +you can often start private conversations with someone by double-clicking on +their name, also called a nickname or nick, in the membership list. if that +doesn't work you can achieve the same thing using the `/query` command. For +example, if you wanted to say "hi!" to the person with the nickname "john" you +would do: + +``` +/query john hi! +``` + +some people don't like unsolicited private conversations, so only do this with +people you know from talking in channels after asking their permission. + +## services + +services are specialized bots that help the network run smoothly. they manage +users and channels, among other things. + +using services is how you [register a nickname](wiki/nicks), and identify (log in) +when you return for another irc session in the future. + +they're also how you [register channels](wiki/channels) if you ever need to do that. + +## topics + +in most irc clients, a channel's topic description can be found at the top of +the screen. if you can't see all of it, you can have it displayed to you using +the `/topic` command. + +you can find new channels on our [channels page](stats) to search +by channel name or by topic description. some clients like kiwiirc and hexchat +have built in channel list search wizards. in command line clients, look for +search instructions with `/help list` + +## channel roles + +when you're in channels, you might notice that some people in the membership +list have symbols next to their nicknames. most people will not have a role in +the channels. + +on tilde.chat, the people with symbols have either the "admin", "operator", +'half-operator', or "voiced" modes. + +admins own the channels. operators and half-ops (which have a subset of +operator commands) are the people that run that help run specific channel and +are responsible for moderating the chat, so sometimes they might remove or silence +people individually or set the channel to moderated mode. + +when the channel is in moderated mode, comments from voiced users can still be +seen. often channels will give voice or one of the operator modes to their helper +bots. + +## commands cheat sheet + +this is a very small sample of commands that you may find useful as you get +started learning irc. in many clients, there might be buttons for these. + +command parts shown in `[]` are optional. + +- `/join #helpdesk` + - enter the channel `#helpdesk`. +- `/part [#helpdesk] [message]` + - exit the channel `#helpdesk`. + - if no channel is given, you will part the channel you type this into. + - the optional message will be shown to only this channel on your departure. +- `/nick nickname` + - changes your nickname to the one you specify. +- `/msg nickname message` + - sends a private message to user "nickname" _without_ opening a new + conversation window. +- `/query nickname [message]` + - open a conversation window with user "nickname", and optionally include a + message. + - the other user will _not_ know you did this until you send messages. + - this is useful for ensuring your conversation goes to the correct place, + such as when you're [registering](wiki/nicks) with `nickserv`. +- `/me action` + - use this for emotes. it will appear something like `* nickname action`. +- `/quit [message]` + - disconnects you from the network. + - the optional message will be shown to every channel you are in. + +some commands will differ in implementation depending on your client. if the +following do not work as expected, see your client's website for documentation +or ask in their irc channel, which will be listed on their website. + +- `/ignore nickname` + - may stop you seeing the user talk. useful if they are being a pest. +- `/unignore nickname` + - may allow you to see the user again if you change your mind. +- `/ignores` + - may list the current ignores you have set. + +## i need more help! + +if you get lost, you can always join `#helpdesk`. + +for a chat directly in your browser [click here](https://tilde.chat/kiwi/), click +the `start` button, and ask questions.