Re: [K12OSN] xchat?

[Bill Kendrick <nbs sonic net>]

On Tue, Dec 09, 2003 at 09:54:07AM -0500, Norbert wrote:
> Hi Eric,
>  At the risk of being obtuse, form where to I start to get onto the
> xchat ? (ie where is the server list? )

Yeah, I guess it's kind of non-obvious. :^)

Click the "X-Chat" menu in the menu bar.
Under there, you'll find "Server List..." as the first item.

First thing I do when I install X-Chat is delete all of the default
servers.  There are really only two or three I ever bother going to
(Freenode, and a local, Davis Calif. one)


So let's assume there are none listed in your X-Chat for some reason,
or that Freenode isn't there.  Hit "New Server" button at the bottom
of the "Server List" window.  An "Edit Entry" window will pop up.

Enter a name for the entry (e.g., "Freenode"), enter the server
("irc.freenode.net"), leave the port as-is (6667).

X-Chat can auto-join certain channels when you connect to a server.
So enter something like "#ltsp,#tux4kids,#osef,#debian" in the
"Channels" field.

Click "auto-connect" to have this server connected-to
(and these channels auto-joined) when you launch X-Chat.
(So all you need to do is click the big shiny "X-Chat" icon in
the future. :^) )

Finally, pick a an IRC nickname, like "Norbert" or "norb123" or
whatever.


Now, Freenode runs some 'bots' that manage channels and user
nicknames.

For example, my IRC channel on Freenode, "#lugod" (for my Linux User Group)
is 'owned' by me, and there are a few people from the club who can manage
the channel (kick people, set the topic, etc.)

Also, my nickname on Freenode, "kendrick", is owned by me.  If anyone else
tries to use it, I can have them 'kicked' from the server, so that they're
forced to use something else that doesn't conflict.  (Like "kend2" or
"gkendrick" or "kendrick-foo")


When you first connect to Freenode, send a private message to
"NickServ", it's the 'bot' that handles nickname services.

  /msg nickserv help

It'll respond with all sorts of info. on how to register your nickname,
and other commands.


I have in my X-Chat server list, one additional item filled out in the
Freenode entry...  "Connect Cmd".

I have that set to:

  /msg nickserv identify ########

(where "#######" is the password I set so that I can identify myself to
NickServ.)

When I first log in, along with joining dozens of channels, I get a
message from NickServ that says:

  -NickServ- This nickname is owned by someone else
  -NickServ- If this is your nickname, type /msg NickServ IDENTIFY <password>


Which, since I have that "Connect Cmd" to do it already set up, is
pretty much immediately followed by:

  -NickServ- Password accepted - you are now recognized
  --- services. sets mode +e kendrick
  -MemoServ- You have no new memos



Now, setting up a password-protected nickname isn't a _MUST_, but it can
be useful.  It helps in creating 'official' channels which you can then
manage (keep people from 'stealing' the channel, etc.)


Anyway, good luck and enjoy!  What a long-winded answer to your question!
I haven't even had my coffee yet today! ;)

-bill!
bill newbreedsoftware com                           Got kids?  Get Tux Paint! 
http://newbreedsoftware.com/bill/       http://newbreedsoftware.com/tuxpaint/