Changes between Version 1 and Version 2 of internal/joining-irc

Timestamp:

08/11/08 00:10:05 (2 years ago)

Author:

mosttw

Comment:

Filled in content

internal/joining-irc

@@ -1 +1 @@
 = Joining IRC =
 
+''A guide to joining #rhrt on irc.freenode.net using the Pidgin instant messaging client.''
+
+== Install Pidgin ==
+
+We'll be installing Pidgin, a lightweight and open-source instant messaging client.  If you're running Windows go to [http://pidgin.im/] to download it, then step through the installer (the defaults should be fine).
+
+[[Image(screenshot1.png)]]
+
+Under Ubuntu Linux enter `sudo apt-get install pidgin` into a terminal to install.
+
+[[Image(screenshot2.png)]]
+
+== Setup ==
+
+When you first run Pidgin it will prompt you to add instant messaging accounts.  Hit Add.
+
+[[Image(screenshot3.png)]]
+
+The "Add Account" dialog will appear.  In the Protocol dropdown select "IRC".
+
+[[Image(screenshot4.png)]]
+
+Enter a username in the appropriate box.  Note that IRC usernames cannot contain spaces.  You don't have a password yet; we'll come back here once you do.  Hit the save button.
+
+At this point two new windows should appear, titled "freenode-connect" and "Buddy List".  The former is the IRC server; it indicates that you have successfully connected but doesn't display anything useful because you haven't yet joined any ''channels'' -- IRC's name for chat rooms.
+
+[[Image(screenshot6.png)]]
+
+Now we're going to join #rhrt, the Robotics Team's channel.  To do this, type "/join #rhrt" into the "freenode-connect" box and hit Enter.  A new tab will appear, titled #rhrt.  Select it.  You are now in our IRC channel!
+
+[[Image(screenshot7.png)]]
+
+At this point you are technically done.  However, it is also important that you register your username (your "nick", in IRC terms) with Freenode.  And it is also recommended that you set up Pidgin to automatically join #rhrt whenever it is open -- an IRC channel isn't much use if nobody's there!
+
+== Registering your nick ==
+
+On Freenode a nick can be registered by associating a password with it.  The person that holds the password for a nick can kick anyone else who steals their nick and also shows up as a registered user, meaning that other users can be (relatively) sure of the user's identity.
+
+First, go back to the "freenode-connect" tab -- you don't want to risk typing this into #rhrt by accident.  Next type `/msg NickServ REGISTER password email` substituting your information for "password" and "email".  Your password probably shouldn't be one you use for anything else -- IRC is not encrypted, so it would be easy for someone to steal your password by sniffing the local network.
+
+[[Image(screenshot8.png)]]
+
+Now you'll get a message from NickServ, the Freenode IRC bot responsible for nick registrations.  Copy and paste the activation command from the e-mail it mentions into a Pidgin chat tab and hit Enter.  You'll get a message from NickServ thanking you for verifying.
+
+Now that you have a nickname, return to the Pidgin Accounts window, select your IRC account, and hit Modify.  Enter the password you entered earlier, check Remember Password, and press Save.  Now Pidgin will automatically log you in when it connects.  (If you ever need to log in at another time -- ''identify'' in IRC terms -- type `/msg NickServ IDENTIFY your-password`.)
+
+== Automatic Login ==
+
+Now we'll set up Pidgin to automatically join #rhrt when it is started.  This is a pretty simple process.  In the Buddy List, go to ''Buddies -> Add Chat...''  Make sure the selected account is your Freenode IRC account.  For Channel, type #rhrt.  Select a group if you like -- I put IRC channels in a group called Channels (a group will be created if you type it here).  Be sure to check "Autojoin when account becomes online".  Now hit Add.
+
+[[Image(screenshot11.png)]]
+
+Pidgin will now automatically join #rhrt.