1097 lines
32 KiB
HTML
1097 lines
32 KiB
HTML
<!DOCTYPE html>
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<html lang="en"><head>
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<link rel="preload" href="../static/fonts/comfortaa-v30-subset-regular.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin>
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<meta charset="utf-8">
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<meta content="IE=edge" http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible">
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<meta content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" name="viewport"><!-- Begin Jekyll SEO tag v2.8.0 -->
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<title>Basics of IRC | Libera Chat</title>
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<meta name="generator" content="Jekyll v3.9.2" />
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<meta property="og:title" content="Basics of IRC" />
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<meta property="og:locale" content="en_GB" />
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<meta name="description" content="You are likely here because you want to know more about this “IRC” stuff you’ve heard about. Someone might have sent you here to get you clued in, or perhaps it popped up in search results and got your attention." />
|
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<meta property="og:description" content="You are likely here because you want to know more about this “IRC” stuff you’ve heard about. Someone might have sent you here to get you clued in, or perhaps it popped up in search results and got your attention." />
|
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<link rel="canonical" href="basics.html" />
|
||
<meta property="og:url" content="https://libera.chat/guides/basics" />
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<meta property="og:site_name" content="Libera Chat" />
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<meta property="og:type" content="article" />
|
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<meta property="article:published_time" content="2022-10-03T18:36:48+00:00" />
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<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary" />
|
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<meta property="twitter:title" content="Basics of IRC" />
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<meta name="twitter:site" content="@liberachat" />
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<meta property="article:publisher" content="liberachat" />
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<script type="application/ld+json">
|
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|
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<!-- End Jekyll SEO tag -->
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<link rel="icon" type="image/svg+xml" href="../static/img/libera-color.svg">
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<link rel="alternate icon" href="../favicon.ico">
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||
<!-- Stylesheets -->
|
||
<style>/*! modern-normalize v1.0.0 | MIT License | https://github.com/sindresorhus/modern-normalize */
|
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*,::after,::before{box-sizing:border-box}:root{-moz-tab-size:4;tab-size:4}html{line-height:1.15;-webkit-text-size-adjust:100%}body{margin:0}body{font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,'Segoe UI',Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,'Apple Color Emoji','Segoe UI Emoji'}hr{height:0;color:inherit}abbr[title]{text-decoration:underline dotted}b,strong{font-weight:bolder}code,kbd,pre,samp{font-family:ui-monospace,SFMono-Regular,Consolas,'Liberation Mono',Menlo,monospace;font-size:1em}small{font-size:80%}sub,sup{font-size:75%;line-height:0;position:relative;vertical-align:baseline}sub{bottom:-.25em}sup{top:-.5em}table{text-indent:0;border-color:inherit}button,input,optgroup,select,textarea{font-family:inherit;font-size:100%;line-height:1.15;margin:0}button,select{text-transform:none}[type=button],[type=reset],[type=submit],button{-webkit-appearance:button}::-moz-focus-inner{border-style:none;padding:0}:-moz-focusring{outline:1px dotted ButtonText}:-moz-ui-invalid{box-shadow:none}legend{padding:0}progress{vertical-align:baseline}::-webkit-inner-spin-button,::-webkit-outer-spin-button{height:auto}[type=search]{-webkit-appearance:textfield;outline-offset:-2px}::-webkit-search-decoration{-webkit-appearance:none}::-webkit-file-upload-button{-webkit-appearance:button;font:inherit}summary{display:list-item}</style>
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font-style: normal;
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/* C c e n o t */
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:root {
|
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|
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--content-max-width: 80ch;
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/* define our palette for all themes */
|
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--white: #fff;
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/* light-theme vars */
|
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|
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--c-bg-secondary: var(--white);
|
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--c-text: var(--gray-800);
|
||
--c-border: var(--gray-300);
|
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--c-hl: var(--brand-pink);
|
||
--c-hl-secondary: var(--brand-purple);
|
||
--c-text-on-hl: var(--gray-800);
|
||
--c-text-on-hl-secondary: var(--white);
|
||
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|
||
|
||
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|
||
:root {
|
||
--c-bg: var(--gray-800);
|
||
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|
||
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|
||
--c-border: var(--gray-400);
|
||
}
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
* {
|
||
color: var(--c-text);
|
||
box-sizing: border-box;
|
||
font-family: Ubuntu, sans-serif;
|
||
letter-spacing: .1ch;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
main *, .hero * {
|
||
line-height: 1.5;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
body {
|
||
background-color: var(--c-bg);
|
||
min-height: 100vh;
|
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display: grid;
|
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grid-template-rows: var(--header-height) min-content auto auto min-content;
|
||
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
|
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grid-template-areas: "header" "hero" "main" "aside" "footer";
|
||
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|
||
|
||
a {
|
||
text-decoration: underline;
|
||
text-underline-offset: .05rem;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
a:hover {
|
||
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|
||
color: var(--c-hl);
|
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|
||
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|
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|
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|
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|
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h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6, strong {
|
||
font-weight: 500;
|
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em {
|
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|
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|
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|
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h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6 {
|
||
margin-block-end: 0;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
h1+*, h2+*, h3+*, h4+*, h5+*, h6+* {
|
||
margin-block-start: 0;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
main h1 {
|
||
font-size: 2.25rem;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
main h2 {
|
||
font-size: 1.5rem;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
main h3 {
|
||
font-size: 1.25rem;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
main :is(h2, h3, h4, h5, h6) a {
|
||
text-decoration: none;
|
||
position: relative;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
main :is(h2, h3, h4, h5, h6) a:hover::before {
|
||
content: '#';
|
||
position: absolute;
|
||
left: -1.5ch;
|
||
bottom: 0;
|
||
font-weight: normal;
|
||
font-size: 1rem;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
@media screen and (min-width: 800px) {
|
||
body {
|
||
grid-template-columns: min-content 8fr;
|
||
grid-template-rows: 4rem min-content auto min-content;
|
||
grid-template-areas: "header header" "hero hero" "aside main" "footer footer";
|
||
}
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
.skiplink {
|
||
z-index: 9999;
|
||
transform: translateY(calc(-100% - 1rem));
|
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display: block;
|
||
position: absolute;
|
||
height: 4rem;
|
||
padding: var(--content-inline-padding);
|
||
background-color: var(--c-bg);
|
||
border-inline-end: 1px solid var(--c-border);
|
||
border-block-end: 1px solid var(--c-border);
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
.skiplink:focus {
|
||
z-index: 9999;
|
||
transform: translateY(0);
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
header {
|
||
grid-area: header;
|
||
height: var(--header-height);
|
||
border-block-end: 1px solid var(--c-border);
|
||
background-color: var(--c-bg-secondary);
|
||
position: sticky;
|
||
top: 0;
|
||
z-index: 1000;
|
||
display: flex;
|
||
flex-direction: row;
|
||
flex-wrap: nowrap;
|
||
justify-content: space-between;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
header a {
|
||
text-decoration: none;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
header .logo {
|
||
display: flex;
|
||
flex-wrap: nowrap;
|
||
align-items: center;
|
||
height: 100%;
|
||
padding-inline-start: var(--content-inline-padding);
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
header .logo img {
|
||
padding-block-end: .3rem;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
header .logo h1 {
|
||
margin: 0;
|
||
margin-bottom: -.4rem;
|
||
font-size: 1.7rem;
|
||
line-height: 1;
|
||
font-family: Comfortaa, Ubuntu, sans-serif;
|
||
font-weight: bold;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
header .nav-toggle {
|
||
display: block;
|
||
border-inline-start: 1px solid var(--c-border);
|
||
padding: 0 1rem;
|
||
display: flex;
|
||
align-items: center;
|
||
cursor: pointer;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
header nav details summary, header nav a {
|
||
border-block-end: 1px solid var(--c-border);
|
||
padding: 1rem;
|
||
display: flex;
|
||
align-items: center;
|
||
cursor: pointer;
|
||
white-space: nowrap;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
header nav details summary::before {
|
||
content: "►";
|
||
padding-inline-end: .3rem;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
header nav details[open] summary::before {
|
||
content: "▼";
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
header nav .nav-close {
|
||
display: none;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
header nav.show .nav-close {
|
||
display: flex;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
header nav {
|
||
transform: translateY(calc(-100% - 1rem));
|
||
display: flex;
|
||
flex-direction: column;
|
||
justify-content: flex-start;
|
||
position: fixed;
|
||
right: 0;
|
||
top: 0;
|
||
bottom: 0;
|
||
background-color: var(--c-bg-secondary);
|
||
min-width: 20rem;
|
||
max-width: 30rem;
|
||
border-inline-start: 1px solid var(--c-border);
|
||
z-index: 10000;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
header nav.show, header nav:focus-within {
|
||
transform: translateY(0);
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
header nav details summary.highlight, header nav a.highlight {
|
||
background-color: var(--c-hl);
|
||
color: var(--c-text-on-hl);
|
||
font-weight: 500;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
header nav details summary:hover, header nav a:hover {
|
||
background-color: var(--c-bg);
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
header nav details summary.highlight:hover, header nav a.highlight:hover {
|
||
background-color: var(--c-hl-secondary);
|
||
color: var(--c-text-on-hl-secondary);
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
header nav details {
|
||
display: flex;
|
||
flex-direction: column;
|
||
position: relative;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
header nav details a {
|
||
padding-inline-start: 2.5rem;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
@media screen and (min-width: 950px) {
|
||
header .nav-toggle, header .nav-close, header nav.show .nav-close {
|
||
display: none;
|
||
}
|
||
header nav {
|
||
transform: initial;
|
||
display: flex;
|
||
flex-direction: row;
|
||
justify-content: flex-end;
|
||
position: initial;
|
||
background-color: initial;
|
||
min-width: unset;
|
||
max-width: unset;
|
||
border-inline-start: none;
|
||
}
|
||
header nav.show, header nav:focus-within {
|
||
transform: initial;
|
||
}
|
||
header nav details summary, header nav a {
|
||
border-block-end: none;
|
||
border-inline-start: 1px solid var(--c-border);
|
||
border-inline-end: 1px solid var(--c-border);
|
||
padding: 0 1rem;
|
||
display: flex;
|
||
margin-inline-start: -1px;
|
||
align-items: center;
|
||
height: 100%;
|
||
}
|
||
header nav details:last-of-type summary {
|
||
border-inline-end: none;
|
||
}
|
||
header nav details[open] summary {
|
||
border-block-end: 1px solid var(--c-border);
|
||
height: calc(100% + 1px);
|
||
}
|
||
header nav details div {
|
||
position: absolute;
|
||
right: 0;
|
||
}
|
||
header nav details div a {
|
||
background-color: var(--c-bg-secondary);
|
||
border-block-end: 1px solid var(--c-border);
|
||
padding: 1rem;
|
||
}
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
main {
|
||
grid-area: main;
|
||
padding: 0 var(--content-inline-padding);
|
||
max-width: var(--content-max-width);
|
||
min-width: 0;
|
||
width: 100%;
|
||
margin: 2rem auto;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
nav.article-nav {
|
||
display: flex;
|
||
flex-direction: row;
|
||
justify-content: center;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
nav.article-nav div {
|
||
width: 33%;
|
||
text-align: center;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
footer {
|
||
grid-area: footer;
|
||
align-self: end;
|
||
background-color: var(--c-bg-secondary);
|
||
border-block-start: 1px solid var(--c-border);
|
||
padding: .5rem var(--content-inline-padding);
|
||
display: flex;
|
||
flex-direction: row;
|
||
flex-wrap: wrap;
|
||
justify-content: space-between;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
footer div {
|
||
line-height: 2;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
footer div .mobile-hide {
|
||
display: none;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
footer div a {
|
||
white-space: nowrap;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
footer div a:not([rel*=license]), footer div .copyright {
|
||
display: block;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
@media screen and (min-width: 800px) {
|
||
footer div {
|
||
line-height: 1.5;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
footer div:last-of-type {
|
||
padding-inline-start: 1rem;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
footer div .mobile-hide {
|
||
display: inline;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
footer div a:not([rel*=license]), footer div .copyright {
|
||
display: initial;
|
||
}
|
||
}
|
||
</style>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<style>aside {
|
||
grid-area: aside;
|
||
background-color: var(--c-bg-secondary);
|
||
/* padding: var(--content-inline-padding); */
|
||
border-block-start: 1px solid var(--c-border);
|
||
width: 100%;
|
||
height: min-content;
|
||
align-self: end;
|
||
display: flex;
|
||
flex-direction: column;
|
||
justify-content: flex-start;
|
||
min-width: 30ch;
|
||
overflow-y: auto;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
aside .title {
|
||
margin-block-end: 0;
|
||
margin-inline: var(--content-inline-padding);
|
||
margin-block-start: 1rem;
|
||
margin-block-end: .5rem;
|
||
font-size: 2rem;
|
||
font-weight: 500;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
aside details:not(:last-child) {
|
||
border-block-end: 1px solid var(--c-border);
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
aside details summary, aside a {
|
||
padding: 1rem;
|
||
display: flex;
|
||
align-items: center;
|
||
cursor: pointer;
|
||
white-space: nowrap;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
aside a {
|
||
text-decoration: none;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
aside details summary::before {
|
||
content: "►";
|
||
padding-inline-end: .3rem;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
aside details[open] summary::before {
|
||
content: "▼";
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
aside details summary:hover, aside a:hover, aside a.active {
|
||
background-color: var(--c-bg);
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
aside details {
|
||
display: flex;
|
||
flex-direction: column;
|
||
position: relative;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
aside details a {
|
||
padding-inline-start: 2.5rem;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
@media screen and (min-width: 800px) {
|
||
aside {
|
||
border-block-start: none;
|
||
border-inline-end: 1px solid var(--c-border);
|
||
width: max-content;
|
||
height: 100%;
|
||
}
|
||
}
|
||
</style>
|
||
|
||
<link rel="stylesheet" href="../static/css/additional-styles.css">
|
||
<script src="../static/js/header-links.js" defer></script>
|
||
</head>
|
||
<body><a class="skiplink" href="basics.html#main">Skip to content</a>
|
||
<header>
|
||
<a class="logo" href="../index.html" aria-label="Libera Chat, back to start page">
|
||
<img alt="" src="../static/img/libera-color.svg" height="48px" data-proofer-ignore>
|
||
<h1>Libera.​Chat</h1>
|
||
</a>
|
||
|
||
<a id="nav-toggle" class="nav-toggle hidden" aria-controls="main-nav"><span>Navigation</span></a>
|
||
|
||
<nav class="" id="main-nav" aria-labelledby="nav-toggle" role="menubar">
|
||
<a id="nav-close" class="nav-close hidden" aria-controls="main-nav"><span>Close</span></a>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<details>
|
||
<summary
|
||
|
||
>About</summary>
|
||
|
||
<div>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
href="../policies.html"
|
||
|
||
><span>Network Policies</span></a>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
href="../guidelines.html"
|
||
|
||
><span>Channel Guidelines</span></a>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
href="../news.html"
|
||
|
||
><span>Blog & News</span></a>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
href="../about.html"
|
||
|
||
><span>About Libera Chat</span></a>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
href="../bylaws.html"
|
||
|
||
><span>Bylaws</span></a>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
href="../minutes.html"
|
||
|
||
><span>Meeting Minutes</span></a>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
href="../annual-reports.html"
|
||
|
||
><span>Annual Reports</span></a>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
href="../sponsors.html"
|
||
|
||
><span>Sponsors</span></a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</details>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<details>
|
||
<summary
|
||
|
||
>Contribute</summary>
|
||
|
||
<div>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
href="../contributing/donate.html"
|
||
|
||
><span>Donate</span></a>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
href="../contributing/sponsor.html"
|
||
|
||
><span>Sponsor Us</span></a>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
href="../contributing/development.html"
|
||
|
||
><span>Development</span></a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</details>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<a role="menuitem" href="../chanreg.html"><span>Channel Namespaces</span></a>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<a role="menuitem" href="../guides.html"><span>Guides</span></a>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<a role="menuitem" href="faq.html"><span>FAQ</span></a>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<details>
|
||
<summary
|
||
class="highlight"
|
||
>Connect</summary>
|
||
|
||
<div>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
href="https://web.libera.chat"
|
||
rel="noopener noreferrer"
|
||
><span>Webchat</span></a>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
href="ircs://irc.libera.chat:6697"
|
||
|
||
><span>irc.libera.chat:6697 (TLS)</span></a>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
href="connect.html"
|
||
|
||
><span>How to Connect</span></a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</details>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</nav>
|
||
</header>
|
||
<script async>
|
||
const navToggle = document.querySelector('#nav-toggle')
|
||
const navClose = document.querySelector('#nav-close')
|
||
const mainNav = document.querySelector('#main-nav')
|
||
|
||
// progressive enhancement!
|
||
navToggle.classList.remove('hidden')
|
||
navClose.classList.remove('hidden')
|
||
|
||
navToggle.addEventListener('click', event => {
|
||
event.preventDefault()
|
||
mainNav.classList.toggle('show')
|
||
})
|
||
navClose.addEventListener('click', event => {
|
||
event.preventDefault()
|
||
mainNav.classList.remove('show')
|
||
})
|
||
</script>
|
||
<aside role="menu">
|
||
<span class="title">Guides</span>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<details open>
|
||
<summary>About IRC</summary>
|
||
|
||
<div>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
class="active"
|
||
href="basics.html"
|
||
><span>Basics of IRC</span></a>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
|
||
href="faq.html"
|
||
><span>Frequently Asked Questions</span></a>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
|
||
href="clients.html"
|
||
><span>Choosing an IRC client</span></a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</details>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<details open>
|
||
<summary>Helping you connect</summary>
|
||
|
||
<div>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
|
||
href="connect.html"
|
||
><span>Connecting to Libera.Chat</span></a>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
|
||
href="webchat.html"
|
||
><span>Using Our Webchat</span></a>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
|
||
href="sasl.html"
|
||
><span>Using SASL</span></a>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
|
||
href="https://libera.chat/guides/certfp"
|
||
><span>Using CertFP</span></a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</details>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<details open>
|
||
<summary>Using the network</summary>
|
||
|
||
<div>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
|
||
href="registration.html"
|
||
><span>Nickname Registration</span></a>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
|
||
href="sendpass.html"
|
||
><span>Resetting your Password</span></a>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
|
||
href="cloaks.html"
|
||
><span>Cloaks</span></a>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
|
||
href="findingchannels.html"
|
||
><span>Finding Channels</span></a>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
|
||
href="channels.html"
|
||
><span>Using Channels</span></a>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
|
||
href="usermodes.html"
|
||
><span>User Modes</span></a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</details>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<details open>
|
||
<summary>Running a channel</summary>
|
||
|
||
<div>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
|
||
href="creatingchannels.html"
|
||
><span>Creating Channels</span></a>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
|
||
href="channelmodes.html"
|
||
><span>Channel Modes</span></a>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
|
||
href="bots.html"
|
||
><span>Network bots</span></a>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
|
||
href="catalyst.html"
|
||
><span>Catalysing and De-escalation</span></a>
|
||
|
||
<a
|
||
role="menuitem"
|
||
|
||
href="helpers.html"
|
||
><span>Advice for Helpers</span></a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</details>
|
||
|
||
</aside>
|
||
<main id="main">
|
||
|
||
<h1>Basics of IRC</h1>
|
||
|
||
<p>You are likely here because you want to know more about this “IRC” stuff
|
||
you’ve heard about. Someone might have sent you here to get you clued in, or
|
||
perhaps it popped up in search results and got your attention.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>Welcome, friend. We are glad you found us, whatever the reason.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>Hopefully this guide will help you understand what IRC is, and how to start
|
||
using it. We think you might like how it differs from other chat platforms.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>While this will <em>not</em> be a comprehensive guide on all the software available,
|
||
it will hopefully point you in the right direction.</p>
|
||
|
||
<h2 id="what-is-irc">What is IRC?</h2>
|
||
|
||
<p>IRC stands for Internet Relay Chat. It is a chat protocol.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>It was invented in 1988 by Jarkko Oikarinen, of the University of Oulu in
|
||
Finland. It replaced a program called MUT (MultiUser Talk).</p>
|
||
|
||
<h2 id="how-does-irc-work">How does IRC work?</h2>
|
||
|
||
<p>There are 2 components to IRC.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p><strong>Clients</strong> are apps that let you use IRC. They can be installed on many
|
||
different Operating Systems, or even run inside your web browser.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p><strong>Servers</strong> are what the clients connect to. Libera Chat has a <strong>network</strong> of
|
||
servers. Don’t worry though, you only need to know one address for the
|
||
network. That address is <code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">irc.libera.chat</code>.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>Networks like us use a Round Robin system to distribute users evenly between
|
||
servers. Having lots of servers provides redundancy, so one server being out
|
||
of order doesn’t make the whole network stop.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>IRC is usually cost-free to use, but sometimes you might need to buy a client
|
||
or pay a subscription fee for a client hosted by someone else.</p>
|
||
|
||
<h2 id="choosing-a-client">Choosing a client</h2>
|
||
|
||
<p>To use IRC, first you need to choose a client. Clients vary a lot, but most
|
||
will have the same basic features, so don’t worry about picking the wrong one.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>You can read our guide <a href="clients.html">about clients</a> to help you make your
|
||
decision, or you can use one of <a href="webchat.html">our webchats</a> to avoid
|
||
installing anything just yet.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>Our webchats are run by us. They are free to use, but we restrict them so they
|
||
only connect to <code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">irc.libera.chat</code>. Because of this, they are a good place to
|
||
get started. You can graduate to a proper client once you’ve figured things
|
||
out, with help from people on the network.</p>
|
||
|
||
<h2 id="connecting-for-the-first-time">Connecting for the first time</h2>
|
||
|
||
<p>Most clients will have some kind of intro or wizard to get you going. Look for
|
||
a preconfigured network called Libera or Libera Chat.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>If there is no wizard, or the process is confusing, you will either need to
|
||
check out the client’s website for some documentation about how to set it up,
|
||
or connect through the webchats first and find someone to help. There is
|
||
usually someone in <code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">#libera</code> who can point you in the right direction.</p>
|
||
|
||
<h2 id="talking">Talking</h2>
|
||
|
||
<p>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.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>This chat field is also where you can do commands to the server or the client.
|
||
Commands start with a <code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">/</code>.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>Our website has several <a href="../guides.html">guides</a> that will make use of this notation
|
||
when giving you instructions.</p>
|
||
|
||
<h2 id="conversation-windows">Conversation windows</h2>
|
||
|
||
<p>Conversations windows are also known as tabs or buffers. They behave similar
|
||
to how you might expect from other chat apps.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>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.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>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.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>The top one is probably the name of the network, for Libera Chat it is usually
|
||
<code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">Libera</code>. When you are doing commands you don’t want others to see, such as
|
||
registering an account, this is a safe place to type them.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>Tabs starting with <code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">#</code> are group chats, which are called <code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">Channels</code>. 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.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>Tabs underneath the channels are private conversations you have with people,
|
||
or bots, on the network. These are often referred to as “PMs” (Private
|
||
Messages) or “queries”.</p>
|
||
|
||
<h2 id="private-conversations">Private conversations</h2>
|
||
|
||
<p>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 <code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">/query</code> command. For
|
||
example, if you wanted to say “hi!” to the person with the nickname “John” you
|
||
would do:</p>
|
||
|
||
<pre><code class="language-irc">/query john hi!
|
||
</code></pre>
|
||
|
||
<p>Some people don’t like unsolicited private conversations, so only do this with
|
||
people you know from talking in channels after asking their permission.</p>
|
||
|
||
<h2 id="services">Services</h2>
|
||
|
||
<p>Services are specialized bots that help the network run smoothly. They manage
|
||
users and channels, among other things.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>Using services is how you <a href="registration.html">register a nickname</a>, and
|
||
<a href="registration.html#logging-in">identify (log in)</a> when you return for
|
||
another IRC session in the future.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>They’re also how you <a href="creatingchannels.html">register channels</a> if you ever
|
||
need to do that.</p>
|
||
|
||
<h2 id="topics">Topics</h2>
|
||
|
||
<p>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 <code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">/topic</code> command.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>You can find new channels <a href="findingchannels.html">using a service</a> to search
|
||
by channel name or by topic description.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>There are lots of different topics on any IRC network. On Libera Chat, most of
|
||
our channels are about freely-licenced software and collaborative projects.
|
||
Our <a href="../policies.html">network policies</a> define what we want the network to be like.</p>
|
||
|
||
<h2 id="channel-roles">Channel roles</h2>
|
||
|
||
<p>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.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>The people with symbols have either the “Operator” or “Voiced” roles.
|
||
Operators are the people that run that specific channel. They do things like
|
||
change channel modes, curate the topic, manage channel access. They’re also
|
||
responsible for moderating the chat, so sometimes they might silence people
|
||
individually or set the channel to moderated mode. When the channel is in
|
||
moderated mode, Voiced users comments can still be seen. Often channels will
|
||
give Voiced or Operator roles to their helper bots.</p>
|
||
|
||
<h2 id="irc-commands-cheat-sheet">IRC commands cheat sheet</h2>
|
||
|
||
<p>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.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>Command parts shown in <code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">[]</code> are optional.</p>
|
||
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">/join #libera</code>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>Enter the channel <code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">#libera</code>.</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li><code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">/part [#libera] [message]</code>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>Exit the channel <code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">#libera</code>.</li>
|
||
<li>If no channel is given, you will part the channel you type this into.</li>
|
||
<li>The optional message will be shown to only this channel on your departure.</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li><code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">/nick nickname</code>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>Changes your nickname to the one you specify.</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li><code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">/msg nickname message</code>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>Sends a private message to user “nickname” <em>without</em> opening a new
|
||
conversation window.</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li><code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">/query nickname [message]</code>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>Open a conversation window with user “nickname”, and optionally include a
|
||
message.</li>
|
||
<li>The other user will <em>not</em> know you did this until you send messages.</li>
|
||
<li>This is useful for ensuring your conversation goes to the correct place,
|
||
such as when you’re <a href="registration.html">registering</a> with <code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">NickServ</code>.</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li><code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">/me action</code>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>Use this for emotes. It will appear something like <code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">* Nickname action</code>.</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li><code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">/quit [message]</code>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>Disconnects you from the network.</li>
|
||
<li>The optional message will be shown to every channel you are in.</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
|
||
<p>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. Many have <a href="findingchannels.html">channels</a> on
|
||
Libera Chat.</p>
|
||
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">/ignore nickname</code>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>May stop you seeing the user talk. Useful if they are being a pest.</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li><code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">/unignore nickname</code>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>May allow you to see the user again if you change your mind.</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li><code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">/ignores</code>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>May list the current ignores you have set.</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
|
||
<h2 id="who-runs-libera-chat">Who runs Libera Chat?</h2>
|
||
|
||
<p>The Libera Chat network is run by volunteers. You can usually
|
||
<a href="faq.html#how-to-find-libera-chat-staff">find the volunteer staff</a> in
|
||
<code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">#libera</code>, where their channel role will highlight them in the channel
|
||
membership list.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>You are invited to message any staff member <em>without</em> asking permission first.</p>
|
||
|
||
<h2 id="more-resources">More resources</h2>
|
||
|
||
<p>If you get lost, you can always join <code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">#libera</code> and ask questions. That is what
|
||
that channel is there for.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>If you are unable to <a href="connect.html">connect to the network</a> at all, you can
|
||
contact staff by email: <a href="mailto:support@libera.chat">support@libera.chat</a></p>
|
||
|
||
<p>There are many more resources available in the <a href="../guides.html">guides section</a> of
|
||
our website. This includes a <a href="faq.html">FAQ</a> that might help you with
|
||
troubleshooting problems you encounter.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>If you want a more technical overview of IRC, some history of the protocol, or
|
||
info on future plans, we recommend <a href="https://ircdocs.horse">ircdocs.horse</a> and
|
||
the <a href="https://ircv3.net/">IRCV3 working group</a> websites.</p>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
</main><footer>
|
||
<div>
|
||
<span class="copyright">© Libera Chat's contributors 2021</span>
|
||
(<a rel="license noopener noreferrer" href="../LICENSE-content.txt">Content CC BY-NC-SA</a>,
|
||
<a rel="license noopener noreferrer" href="../LICENSE-code.txt">Code MIT</a>)
|
||
<span class="mobile-hide">/</span>
|
||
<a href="../atom.xml">Feed (atom)</a>
|
||
<span class="mobile-hide">/</span>
|
||
<a href="../privacy.html">Privacy</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div>
|
||
<a rel="me noopener noreferrer" href="https://fosstodon.org/@liberachat">Mastodon</a>
|
||
<span class="mobile-hide">/</span>
|
||
<a href="https://github.com/Libera-Chat/libera-chat.github.io" rel="noopener noreferrer">GitHub</a>
|
||
<span class="mobile-hide">/</span>
|
||
<a href="https://twitter.com/liberachat" rel="noopener noreferrer">Twitter</a>
|
||
<span class="mobile-hide">/</span>
|
||
<a href="https://facebook.com/liberachat" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</footer>
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