Using Juice IRC Live Chat

Since the Live Chat is starting to pick up, I thought I'd post a basic guide on using IRC. I have been using IRC for nearly 10 years now and gained a lot of knowledge from the many help channels. It's an excellent resource and a great place to network with other users and engineers.

IRC Primer

IRC is a chat protocol that's been around since 1988. It uses a relay system that makes it possible to combine many servers to form a single network. There are hundreds of available networks and on each network anyone can form a channel otherwise known as a room.

Channels are rooms that are created for specific categories and are community based. For example, the Juice channel is for Altiris help and advice supported by Altiris customers and engineers. A channel on an IRC network starts with the # character.

The Juice IRC Live Chat resides on the network Freenode at irc.freenode.net in channel #Altiris. It was created to gather together Altiris users and engineers to help each other. Since it's start, it's become a daily hangout for Juice regulars ready to greet and help.

To connect to an IRC network and join a channel, you will need an IRC client. Currently, Juice links to a service called Mibbit, which is a web based IRC client. It uses it's own servers to connect a client to a network. This helps users behind corporate firewalls that are blocking IRC traffic. If you want to use a standalone IRC client there are some choices:

• Mirc - Windows
• XChat - Windows/Linux
• Chatzilla addon for Firefox
• Snak - Mac OSX

For a more complete list and comparison chart of IRC clients look here.

IRC usually uses port 6667. If you are behind a firewall that blocks this port you cannot use a standalone client. Other ports are commonly used that fall anywhere between the 6660-6669 range.

IRC Network Basics

IRC networks have different configurations, but most are relatively the same. Once you are on the network you can join an unlimited number of channels. There are usually helper services that are on the network that can complete various tasks and automate procedures. Since #altiris is on Freenode, there are two services to keep in mind, Nickserv and Chanserv.

Nickserv, as it's name implies, helps with nickname features. Nicknames are unique to the network. If someone on the network already has a nickname in use, you cannot use it. You can register a nickname with Nickserv to ensure no one else can use it. Registering is not required, but I suggest you do if you want to keep the nickname. If someone on the network is using a nickname you registered, you can message Nickserv to change their name.

Chanserv is used for channel moderation and maintenance. Most users will never rely on Chanserv unless they are a channel moderator or operator. Chanserv registers channels and applies permissions for users. It can be used to identify a channel owner or a channel operator. It can also be used for things like channel moderation, bans, and automated channel actions.

IRC Channel Basics

When you join a channel you will notice the user list on the right side of the client. Some users will have a "@" or a colored dot in front of their nickname. This denotes that they are a channel "Operator". You will see this often shortened to "OP". An Operators job is to moderate the channel. They can kick, ban, lift ban, silence room, or Op other users. These are volunteers and not affiliated with the network. A good group of operators can keep a room relevant and cut down the spam and trolling.

Click to view.

The Altiris channel using the web client from Mibbit Mibbit uses a star icon to label the channel Ops.

IRC Commands

IRC has a long list of available commands you can use. All commands begin with a forward slash "/". I will only go over some basic commands to get you started:

/nick nickname - Changes your nickname to nickname. Example: /nick Kinetic

/msg nickname message - Sends message privately to nickname Example: /msg Kinetic Are you ever going to get your ACE certs?

/me action - Sends a custom emote to the channel. Example: /me passes all of his ACE certs. would show up in the room as: *Kinetic passes all of his ACE certs

/join channel - Joins you to a new channel called channel. Remember all IRC channels must start with "#". Example: /join #Altiris. You can be in multiple channels at the same time.

/away & /back - Sets your status as away or available, respectively. Each will notify the room of your status and the color of your nickname will change.

/topic - View the current channel topic

/ignore nickname 3 - Ignore a user. Unfortunately, there are times when someone will just spam a channel or harass another user. You can silence them with this command.

/help - View a list of IRC commands

/stats p - Lists the current On-Call Freenode staffers. If you need help using the IRC Freenode or need to report a problem, feel free to message anyone on that list.

NickServ commands:

/msg NickServ HELP - Sends a message to Nickserv and replies back with a list of available commands. You can get specific help for each command by typing /msg Nickserv HELP command.

/msg NickServ REGISTER password - Registers your nickname on the network and sets password

/msg NickServ IDENTIFY password - Authenticates your nickname with the password you set when you registered. This identifies you on the network as the owner of that nickname.

Someone stole your nickname? If you've registered, you can log in with different nickname and message Nickserv to claim it back.

IRC Netiquette

IRC has stayed around for a number of reasons. It's stable, open, scalable, flexible and can be accessed by just about any front end you can think of. But just like anything else, a room is only as good as it's community. It's important to know the tools to use and keep some points in mind to help get the most out of the channel:

1. Do not spam the channel. This seems obvious, but it's really important in a help channel like #Altiris. People are trying to read their answers and someone flooding the room makes it nearly impossible. If your question is not answered right away, wait a few minutes before asking it again.
2. Be patient - If you ask a question in the channel, it might take a minute or two for someone to answer. Don't leave right away if you don't immediately get a response. Everyone in the channel has a day job and they are probably just looking away. The beauty of IRC is it can be both passive and active chat. There are a lot of people who idle in the room and check it periodically. You might log off right as they are replying to you.
3. Search first - Check the Altiris KB, Juice and do a good ol' Google search before asking your question in the room. Alot of questions can be answered faster by a search than it takes to ask the same question in the channel and someone to type back the answer. When all else fails or you just can't seem to find what you are looking for, #Altiris is there to try and help.
4. Pastebin is your friend - When posting code to the channel, use a service like Pastebin. Copy and paste your code into pastebin and it will generate a url for you. Post that url to the channel so others can click to see your code. Posting code directly into the channel will quickly flood it.
5. Imagebin is your friend - If you want to show a screenshot you can use Imagebin. It's the same concept as pastebin. Upload your image and copy the URL to the channel. The image will stay on the site for a short time and there is no registration.
6. Log everything - The standalone clients all have an option to log to text files. Make sure you turn it on! There is a lot of good information posted to the room during the day. It helps to be able to search through logs at a later date to find an answer you are looking for.
7. Idle - If you are able to, try and stay awhile. Even if you don't have anything to say, you might come across other conversations that are relevant to your work. Idling also helps attract more users. People are more likely to hang out in a room that is full.
8. Be careful - There are some downsides to IRC. People will use spambots to private message users in channels across the network. Do not click on any links sent to you in a private message! Do not copy and paste any command strings they send you! Freenode is very very good at keeping the network spambot free, but they do sneak in from time to time. If you see a message that you suspect is from a bot, /join #help and report it to a Freenode administrator.
9. Help out! - The room is completely on a volunteer basis. #Altiris can only get better with a growing community of people willing to exchange knowledge. Imagine a place where all of your Altiris dreams come true. (Well ok, maybe not all of them)

For a complete FAQ list, check out the Freenode website.

Hope this helps. Stop by and let's get this room going strong!

Thanks goes to Juicemaster and the current room for all the work!