Introduction

IRC stands for “Internet Relay Chat”. It was originally written by Jarkko Oikarinen in 1988. Since starting in Finland, it has been used in over 60 countries around the world. IRC is a multi-user chat system, where people meet on “channels” (rooms, virtual places, usually with a certain topic of conversation) to talk in groups, or privately. There is no restriction to the number of people that can participate in a given discussion, or the number of channels that can be formed on IRC.

To connect to IRC4Fun, you need an IRC client. Regardless of your operating system, chances are there is at least one IRC client for it. For more information about the wide variety of software you can use to access IRC4Fun, see http://home.irc4fun.org/docs/clients. If you can’t download an IRC client but would like to chat on IRC4Fun, click here to use our Web Chat client available for public use or you can visit http://www.mibbit.com.

IRC4Fun is different from other IRC networks in a variety of ways.  We have reliable and customized services, a personable and a trustworthy staff, and most importantly; we’re here for our users.  We do not intervene in channel matters, hierarchy, bans, etc.  (Unless there is verifiable AUP violations occuring)  Channels and Nicknames are managed by our users, our Staff is just here to help!

Connect to an IRC server

/server server:port

(example: /server irc.irc4fun.net:6667)

Quit IRC with “message”

/quit message
(example: /quit Bye everyone!)

Enters the specified channel

/join #channel
(example: /join #Help)

Leaves the specified channel

/part #channel message
(example: /part #Help Thanks for the help!)

Performs an action – * YourNick does something

/me action to perform
(example: /me waves to everyone in the channel)

Lists channels matching *subject*

/list *subject*

(example: /list *help*)

It might be worthwhile to note that all IRC commands can be typed into the commandline of your IRC client, though some have “popups” or similar menu features. For help using your IRC client, try a channel with the same name (e.g. #mIRC for mIRC, #pIRCh for pIRCh) or you can try /help in your IRC client.

One of the most frequently asked questions by new users is how to register a nickname or a channel. This information can be found through http://home.irc4fun.org/docs/services/n-help/ and http://home.irc4fun.org/docs/services/x-help/.  You should also check out the Services FAQs.

IRC4Fun has a large number of help channels that deal with a variety of different topics, not all of them necessarily IRC related. Therefore, the first step to finding help is to determine the nature of your problem.

For IRC related problems, it’s important to know if it’s a IRC4Fun related question or not. We do not help with problems on other networks (getting banned, identd problems, server downtime, etc.). For IRC4Fun related questions it’s a good idea to visit #IRC4Fun, #Help, #sunnydale or #vortex.

An IRC4Fun IRC Operator assists his or her admin in server maintenance as assigned and helps maintain network stability. IRCops assist users in becoming oriented to the IRC4Fun network, Services and help with problems or concerns where they can. They may also participate in various committees as they desire.

Persons with the @ symbol in front of their nicknames are considered channel operators, who can change some channel settings and keep order. Channel Operators are indicated with a @ symbol in front of their nickname.  Channel Voices (Voiced Users) are indicated with a + in front of their nickname.

They have the ability to forcefully remove someone from a channel, among other things. IRC4Fun does not take part in how any channel is managed, that is up to the channel’s ops, and ultimately, the channel’s founder. Most ops behave responsibly, but if there are any problems, you should contact the channel’s founder. The founder has the final say in how their channel is run. You can find out who is the founder of a channel with any of the following commands:

/cs info #channel

/msg X@IRC4Fun.Services info #channel

When using IRC, you should be especially cautious about security. In order to prevent the spread of viruses and trojans; do NOT accept files from anyone that you do not know and trust.  Also, never share your nickname or channel passwords with anyone. IRC4Fun Staff will never ask you for your password, so never give it out to someone claiming to be IRC4Fun staff.

The IRC4Fun network offers everything you need to have an enjoyable chatting experience.  Should you need assistance with any issues, please /join #Help or contact an IRC4Fun IRC Operator.