Connecting to IRC
From Linux & Open Source @ NUS
linuxNUS maintains an IRC (Internet Relay Chat) channel on the FreeNode network (#linuxnus on irc.freenode.net)
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Benefits of IRC
If you're looking to contact people from linuxNUS, it's often easier to do so over IRC. IRC channels are chatrooms in which people can respond in real time, and you'll often get responses much faster there, than over email or other forms of instant messaging (IM).
Detailed IRC commands help
Refer to http://www.irchelp.org/irchelp/irctutorial.html
Connecting to IRC
There's a wide choice of IRC clients for various operating systems.
You could use an application to do so.There's Pidgin for both Windows and Linux, Colloquy for Mac users and many others.
Alternatively, you can also connect to #linuxnus by using web based IRC services.
Here are a few tips on getting connected to IRC:
Web based services
PJIRC
PJIRC is a irc client java applet using port. So the only requirement is a web browser and Sun Java Runtime Environment (JRE). Install JRE via your distro's package manager(recommended) or download binaries from Sun's website. After installation, test if java is working correctly.
The applet is available at http://irc2go.com/pjirc/?net=freenode&room=linuxnus. Just key in a nickname. To use PJIRC to access more channels and servers, use the search function at http://irc.netsplit.de/
The applet is also available near the bottom of http://linuxNUS.org
For troubleshooting, use the test to see if JRE is the latest version. If you get the following error msg then refer to the 2 links below "Unable to connect : java.net.SocketException : Software caused connection abort: Connect." Basically, you need to disable the irc port on your firewall and antivirus.[1][2]
Mibbit
Mibbit is a web based irc client using port 80. #linuxnus is accesible via http://www.mibbit.com/?server=irc.freenode.net&nick=put_ur_name&pass=&channel=%23linuxnus
Alternatively, a login is also available at the top of linuxNUS forums.
To access non freenode channels, select the desired server using the list field. The default selection is "Mibbit webirc". If the server is not in the listing or has SSL, click "Server" to the right of the list and type in the server address.
Applications
Pidgin
Pidgin works on both Windows and Linux, so you can probably follow instructions for both. Here, I'll be using Pidgin on Linux.
First, you'll need to add a new account for IRC. Make your way to the Accounts dialogue box (It's at Accounts -> Manage Accounts, from the Pidgin contact list window. Otherwise, just hit Ctrl-A when the Pidgin window is active).
Click "Add" to begin adding a new account, then fill in the details as shown below in the dialogue box that pops up. The password field is not necessary and is only needed if you have a registered nickname on the FreeNode IRC network. If you don't, leave the field blank.
Click "Save", and you're done! Now simply activate the newly created IRC account in the Manage Accounts dialogue to get connected.
Now, you'll want to be able to join us in #linuxnus (that's our channel).
Select "Add a chat" from the "Buddies" menu from the Pidgin contact list window.
Again, fill in the details as shown below, and remember to select your newly created IRC account in the Account field.
Hit "Add" once you're done to save the chat. You should then see #linuxnus appear in your Pidgin contact list. Double click to join the channel.
Opera
Chatzilla FF extension
IRC Resources
For more information about IRC, please refer to http://www.irchelp.org/
