Introduction to
Internet Relay Chat (IRC)
on America Online

For more help..try pointing your Web browser in the direction of:

http://members.aol.com/cmmoon12/irc.htm

Internet Relay Chat - What it is...
Internet Relay Chat (usually called IRC) is a way to chat on the Internet, similar to AOL chat rooms. It allows people from all over the world to chat on the same channel.
BEFORE YOU TRY IRC
Your experience in IRC -WILL- be very unpleasant if you don't understand that IRC is NOT AOL, and the rules are much different. Here are some of the ways IRC is -different- from AOL chat.
  1. There are no Guides to call
  2. There is no TOS
  3. There are no profiles
  4. IRC users know a more about what they are doing than you
  5. You can be on more than one channel at the same time
  6. They are channels, not rooms
What you need to use IRC on AOL
Well, to start with, you need Windows (or Win95). If you're using a Macintosh, read no further. Complain to AOL.

The next thing you need is the version 2.5 of America Online (or later, preferrably 3.0!!). You can make sure that you have the current version by clicking on Help, then About from the Menu bar. If you have version 2.0 (or earlier), go to keyword UPGRADE and download AND INSTALL the 3.0 version.

After you have version 2.5 (or later) of AOL for Windows, you need AOL's Winsock.dll file. (Trumpet Winsock.dll will NOT work for this). Go to keyword (Control K) WINSOCK. Read the instructions carefully, and install as directed. (If you are using windows95, be sure to read the information about windows95 at keyword WINSOCK also).

Now that you have a current Version of Waol, and winsock.dll is correctly installed, you now need a WINSOCK-compatible IRC Client. The AOL software library (keyword SOFTWARE) has several. The best choice is mIRC. It is shareware, but doesn't expire. Version 5.0 is the current version.
If you have Win95, get the 16 bit issue!! The 32 bit mIRC issue won't run on the 16 bit AOL winsock on Win95.
You can also download mIRC from the WWW at:
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Park/6000
Be sure to download the mIRC FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) file also.

The final thing you need to use IRC is the name of an IRC server. The IRC server is the entry point for using IRC. Your IRC client must connect to an IRC server to begin the chat.

The way AOL has arranged IRC, you -MUST- connect to one of their IRC servers - NOT to someone else's servers.

Two of AOL's IRC servers are named:

  1. irc01.irc.aol.com (Undernet)
  2. irc02.irc.aol.com (EFnet)
There are a lot of DALnet servers now, too.

  1. spider.ca.us.dal.net:7000
  2. ohara.hi.us.dal.net:7000
  3. stlouis.mo.us.dal.net:7000
  4. nether.mi.us.dal.net:7000
  5. kechara.ma.us.dal.net:7000
  6. dragon.ut.us.dal.net:7000
  7. dreamscape.ny.us.DAL.net:7000
  8. cin.il.us.DAL.net:7000
  9. skypoint.mn.us.dal.net:7000
  10. mindijari.ca.us.DAL.net:7000
  11. farside.tx.us.dal.net:7000
  12. toronto.on.ca.dal.net:7000
  13. firehouse.tx.us.dal.net:7000
  14. toast.ne.us.DAL.net:7000
  15. opus.il.us.DAL.net:7000
  16. bielefeld.de.DAL.net:7000
  17. hades.se.DAL.net:7000
  18. xgw.fi.dal.net:7000
  19. davis.ca.us.dal.net:7000
Undernet vs. EFnet
One of the first decisions you'll need to make is which IRC you wish to use. Yes, there is more than one IRC. The two main IRC networks are quite different and you should choose the one that seems most to your liking. There are other IRC networks which are not easily accessible from AOL.
EFNet is the "original" IRC. It has a large number of servers and a large number of users. People from all around the world use EFNet. If your interest is talking to people in other countries and you like occasional chaos, EFNet is your place.
Undernet was designed to be the "new and improved" IRC. Some changes were made to the IRC server software to improve reliability of the network. The Undernet Server operators all know each other, and try much harder to keep Undernet a pleasant experience. Channels seem to be more friendly, and less concerned with turf battles.
Configuring mIRC
Once you have downloaded and installed mIRC, you will need to configure it for use on AOL. Double click on the mirc.exe file (do -NOT- try to use mirc32.exe, even if you have win95; the 32 bit mIRC wont run on the 16 bit AOL winsock!). When mIRC starts, the setup window should open. If not, hold the ALT key and press E, or click on the third button from the left on the toolbar. (Yellow file folder)
In Real Name, put your real name, or an alias if you are not comfortable with people knowing your real name.
In E-Mail, put your AOL Email address (for example [email protected]).
Under Nickname, choose a name others will know you by on IRC. This name must be unique among all users around the world, so don't be surprised to find out that someone else is already using the name you thought up. Choose a second Nickname, and type it into Alternate, in case your first choice is already in use. Once you find a nickname, and an alternate nickname, you should register the names..so they will be YOURS and YOURS ALONE!
To register your nickname, in any window, type:
/msg nickserv register *password* (without the **)
Replacing with a safe password that will be easy for you to remember and hard for other's to figure out.
Don't forget your password!!

Click on the Add Button.

Now add one (or more) of the above listed servers:

Under Description, put a name for the new server address. (ie: "AOL DalNet Spider" for spider.ca.us.dal.net)
Under IRC Server, put one of the addresses from above list.
Under Port, put 7000 (AOL ONLY uses port 7000)

Click on Add, then OK to close the setup window.

The configuration is complete. Now click on File, then Connect, or on the first button from the left (the lightening bolt) and you should connect to AOL's IRC server if you've done everything correctly.

Commands in IRC
To get IRC to do something, you must issue IRC commands.

ALL IRC commands begin with the slash key ( / ). The first command you will want to use is the /LIST command. /LIST tells you the channels that are currently available for use. Since there are often 1000's of channels active on IRC, you will probably want to restrict the search of channels you want to consider.
The /LIST command has several optional parameters. Using -min will only list channels that have a minimum number of people on a channel. -max limits the channel list to show channels that only have smaller channels.
Example:
/LIST -min 5 -max 20
Will show only those channels which have at least 5 people online, but not more that 20 people.

Another way of using the /LIST command is to search by topic.
Example:
/LIST (without the brackets)
This will show a list of channels that include the topic you have chosen in the Channel Topic.

If the /LIST command is working correctly, eventually channel names will start showing up in the Channel List window. (Sometimes, AOL's servers disconnect you before the channel list completes - if this happens, just connect again, or use another server. Some servers see a List of Channels as a flood, and will disconnect you.). IRC channel names always begin with the pound sign ( # ). If you see a channel you would like to participate on, use your mouse and double click on a channel name.

JOINING A CHANNEL
If everything is working correctly, a Channel Window has now opened. Along the right side is the list of people who are on the channel. You'll probably notice that the first names in the list begin with @. Names that begin with @ are -channel operators-, or channel ops for short. More on channel ops later.

Well, now you're here. You've joined a channel. What now? Well, first of all, Don't Panic.

Someone may say Hello to you. Say Hello back. Look around for a little while before saying anything else. Figure out what is going on and who seems to be in charge. Some channels have existed for a long time and have a group of "regulars". If you want to hang around on a channel, be nice to them.

You may get an error message (error messages show up in the Status Window) back saying that you are banned from the channel you tried to enter. Since this is your first time on IRC, it should be clear that it isn't you who is banned, but the channel ops (for reasons they only know) have decided to ban everyone from AOL. Move on and find another channel.

WHAT NEXT?
Well, that's kind of up to you. Experiment, and play..that is what the IRC applications are there for! In mIRC, you can use the RIGHT mouse button to perform actions in IRC or on the channel, but don't try anything there until you understand what they do.

You could try using with the /me command. This command lets you do things to yourself or others, not just Say things. For instance, if your nickname is JohnDoe, the command
/me put his umbrella on the floor.
the other people on the channel will see:
*JohnDoe* put his umbrella on the floor.
Lines which show up in black in your chat window were done by using the /me command (/action does the same thing)

Private Chat
If you want to start a conversation with another IRC user so that it can only be seen by the two of you (similar to an Instant Message (IM) in AOL), there are two methods. The older method is to use the /query command. The Query command is already configured for you in mIRC. Right-click on a screen nickname, and a list of choices will pop up. Below the /whois command, you'll see Query. Selecting that will open a Query window, which is similar to an IM. (/whois will tell you some basic information about the person in the nickname list that is highlighted. The response will show up in the status window).
A more secure way of doing a private chat is called DCC Chat. DCC (Direct Client to Client) Chat sets up a chat between the two of you directly, without using the IRC network at all. DCC Chat is much more secure and generally is much faster. However, not all Clients support it. mIRC does support DCC Chat. DCC also supports a send command, which allows you to send files back and forth. Some people like to send a picture of themselves to others they are chatting with so they have a feeling about who they are talking with. Do NOT accept any .exe, .bat, or .com files - from people you do not know AND trust. They could be programs which will damage your computer, or that contain viruses. You'll find both DCC Chat and DCC Send under the right mouse button in the names list.

Channels: Operators, Control, and Wars
The first person to create a channel automatically becomes the Channel Founder. Channel Founders have special powers to manage the channel. Anyone who is a Channel Founder can give Channel Operator powers to any other user. Anyone on IRC can create a channel, as long as the channel name is not already in use and their nicknames must be registered on some networks. (EFNet, and the other networks handle this differently) If you want your channel to be yours to keep you need to register it.
To Register a channel:

  1. Join the channel.
  2. Type: /msg chanserv register #channelname *password* *description*
  3. Replace #channelname, with the name you want to give your channel.
  4. Replace *password* with a safe password, that is easy for you to remember and hard for others to figure out. Don't forget it, write it down if you must! Don't use the ** in the password.
  5. Replace *description* with a short few word description of what the channel is for. Don't use the ** in the description either.
  6. Hit Enter and watch your Status Window for the results. Error messages will usually tell you what the problem is.

In your mIRC menu, if you right-click on a nickname, you'll see a list of choices under Control. These are only useful when you are a channel op. Channel ops have the ability to /kick someone out of a channel (temporary) or /ban them (stays in effect as long as the channel stays active)

If you double-click on the chat area with the left mouse button, a list of things which channel ops can do to the channel will pop up.

Ignoring people
Sooner or later, someone will come along who is a creep or a pest. In AOL, you had an ignore function in chat, and if they tried IM's, you could send a message to $im_off to turn off IM's.

If someone becomes a problem on IRC, type /ignore nickname (where nickname is their nickname)... In most cases, this will permanently ignore them. If they leave the channel, and come back, they're still on ignore (unlike AOL). If they log off and log back on, they're still on ignore. If they have multiple accounts on different companies (which creeps often do), just /ignore them again. They want you to get upset. Just /ignore them. Don't argue with them or tell them to go away (other than perhaps the first time). Eventually they'll run out of accounts, and that's that.

General -warnings-
There are many of the same issues to deal with on IRC as you had in AOL Chat. Most are common sense, but since this is new to you, extra caution is the order of the day, at least for the first few weeks:

Be even very cautious about disclosing personal information in IRC like you were on AOL until you're really sure you want someone to be your "friend". Also, NEVER give out your password!! No one from the administration will EVER ask you for your password..they will already have access to it, and know it..so they don't need to ask. If someone asks you for your password, report it. Most of the networks have one channel set up to go to if you are having severe problems on that particular network. (ie: DalNet's Admin channel is called #dragonrealm)

Do NOT execute commands because someone suggests it, unless you know what the command does. One of the favorite "newbie" pranks is to suggest that you /sign the guest registry for the channel. The /sign command disconnects you from IRC! :) This is just an initiation thing, but there are other commands which might be more serious which can compromise your computer system.

Do NOT set up mIRC remotes until you understand what they do. This especially applies to the Do command (which is specifically warned about in the FAQ) which could then allow someone to take control of your PC.

Do NOT accept DCC file transfers unless you requested something, and do NOT run any programs that someone DCC sends you until AFTER you do a virus scan on it. Virus problems are widespread. They may not even know they just gave you one.

Do NOT do Age/Sex checks. They're annoying, and will get you kicked on most channels.

Additional Reading
If you have access to the World Wide Web (keyword WWW on AOL), visit the following pages for additional information about IRC:

  1. IRC Primer
    http://mistral.enst.fr/~pioch/IRC/IRCprimer/IRCprimer1.1/IRCprimer1.1.htm
  2. Frank FAQ
    http://www.sar.usf.edu/~paulino/html/ircstart.htm
  3. IRC FAQ
    http://www.kei.com/irc.htm
  4. Undernet Info
    http://www.undernet.org/
Have Fun and Be Careful! :)
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