IRC Internet Relay Chat Never Dies

Posted on: October 12th, 2011 by No Comments

IRC is a chat program that supports private chats or public chat channels, and it has millions of users. There are several different IRC servers available to choose from, you only require a client on your end. Many of these servers are connected creating a whole network with users from all over the world. You get to choose your server, choose your channels, choose your nickname, and you can even choose your client. IRC works on Windows, Mac, Linux, or Unix, and it is one of the oldest tried, tested, and true chat options available. If you are using Linux there are several different Internet Relay Chat clients to pick from, you might even want to try IRSSI from some command line IRC chat, my favorite.
IRSSI Screenshot


Common IRC Commands


Here are a few of the most common IRC commands that should work with most IRC clients. I will try to cover as much as possible.
/help command – Use this to get help with any command you are having trouble with.
/server irc.server.net – Use this command along with a server hostname to connect to any IRC server.
/nick nickname – This command will allow you to change your nickname, just add the new nickname.
/list – The list command will display a list of available chat channels on the current server. You will also see the channel message of the day, and how many users are now in the channel.
/list topic #channel - You can also use the list command to find channels containing the keyword or topic you specify. This is useful if the normal list is too long.
/list -min 10 #channel – To display a smaller channel list use this command, only channels with at least the stated number of users will be listed.
/names #channel – Use this to see all the users now in the selected channel. A list of names will be printed, -min -max can also be used.
/who #channel – See who is in the stated channel with this command.
/whois nickname – With this you can request information about a specific user.
/away message – Set an away message with this command.
/away – Use this command again to remove your away message.
/quit message – Quit IRC, and leave a goodbye message.
/me action – You can appear to perform an action with this command.
/leave #channel – The leave command will cause you to leave the channel specified or the current channel if no channel is specified.
/msg nickname text – Send a message to an individual person, just specify their nickname and add the text you wish to send.
/query nickname – This command will open a private conversation window for you and a friend.
/query – Use this to close the current private conversation window.
/topic #channel text – Use this to change to topic the specified channel, if you have permission.
/kick #channel nickname text – With this you can kick a user from the stated channel, add text to specify a reason for the kick.
/links – This will display all the servers connected to the current IRC network.
/admin – This will display the current server administrative details.
/motd – View the server message of the day.

Channel Modes


Each channel may function under different modes with different rules governing channel use. Channel modes are moderated by channel operators. By default when creating a new channel, the public mode will be used, this means that the channel can be viewed or visited by anyone.
/mode #channel – Use this to see what modes the current channel is using.
/mode #channel +p – Set private channel mode meaning the channel will not be displayed when users query for available channels. You can turn off private mode by using -p, all modes can be toggled off.
/mode #channel +s – Set secret channel mode, secret mode is similar to private mode.
/mode #channel +n – This is no external message mode, meaning you cannot mass spam messages to the whole channel using /msg #channel text which sends the text to everyone in the channel.
/mode #channel +o nickname – Use this to turn the specified user into a channel operator.
/mode #channel +m – This will make the channel moderated, meaning only channel operators, or users with the voice privilege will be able to chat publicly.
/mode #channel +i – Make the channel invite only.
/invite nickname #channel – Use this to invite someone to an invite only channel.
/mode #channel +l 100 – Use this to set a channel user limit.
/mode #channel +k password – Use this to add a channel password or keyword which is required for users to join.
/join #channel password – This will allow entry to password protected channels, just add the required password.
/mode #channel +b – This will display all the currently banned user hostnames.
/mode #channel -b user@hostname – Remove a user ban.

Sending And Receiving Files


/dcc send nickname filename – Send a file to the specified user with this command.
/dcc get nickname filename – Use this to accept a file someone has offered to send you.
/dcc close type nickname – If you do not wish to receive a file transfer use this command.
/dcc list – Use this to see current file transfers and their types, this works with the /dcc close command.
/dcc chat nickname – Start a direct client connection to chat with another user.

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