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********** An Easy Introduction to mIRC *************
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*************** Table of Contents **********************
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A} Introduction
B} The Unspoken Rules of IRC
1} What are these @'s in front of the names about?
1A} More About Modes.
1B} Channel Modes
2} How do I change and register my nick name?
2A} Using /perform
3} How do I make actions and join other channels?
3A} More Simple Commands
4} How can I send and receive memos?
5} Who is chanserv, and why won't he talk to me?
6} How do I create and manage my very own channel?
6A} The Access List
6B} Channel Commands You Will Need
7} What is an irc server? What is irc.axenet.org?
8} How can I learn more commands?
9} What is mIRC? Where can I get a mIRC script?
9A} Using Copy/Paste and Nick Completion
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{A}************** Introduction ***************************************
This simple reference was written for the typical person who just
wants to chat. I will assume that you are using Windows and that
you have a mIRC script or that you are using a java applet. This
file will tell you where to get a mIRC script, and how to use its
advantages. If you are using a different chat client these commands
are still very relevant to you. I learned the commands here over time,
mainly by asking other chatters. This reference will simply speed up
that process and make the strange world of mIRC a bit more friendly.
{B}******** The unspoken rules of IRC *******************************
Use common sense, do not swear excessively, flood or use color codes.
(You may notice that I have not included color codes here) Those are
general ways to make people dislike you. Each channel has unique rules;
advertising is one of the fastest ways to get yourself banned.
Cybering in public channels is also a good one. "Know the rules so
that you may break them properly." (The Hackers Ethic) Basically before
you do anything questionable get to know your way around and learn
what is acceptable.
{1}****** What are these @'s in front of the names about ? **************
The little characters you see in front of the names are a sort of
status system, referred to as modes.
@ Means (op) operator, this is the highest status. The purpose of an
operator/moderator is to police the channel. They are usually given
this status by the channel owner or by another operator. They have the
ability to kick and ban people who cause problems in the channel such
as flooding, and profanity.
% Means (half op), This status has no special privileges but half ops
like ops, can kick people of lower status, they can also talk in
moderated channels.
+ Means (voice) This status simply allows the user to talk in a
moderated channel. Most channels are not moderated.
{1A}-------More about modes-----------------------------------------------
Modes are not much use to you unless you have operator or half op
status. All modes are represented by a letter. The modes of a channel
are listed beside its name in the channel list and at the top of the
window next to the name. Like this [ntr]
You will see a statement like X sets mode +o Mr_Anderson
X is bot, if X sets a mode, that most likely means this has been
programmed by the channel owner, or another operator in the channel.
If you are an operator, and you would like to give Mr_Anderson operator
status you would type
/mode +o #antisocial Mr_Anderson
All channels are marked with the # symbol in front of the name as seen
above. Simply replace Mr_Anderson with the name of the person you would
like to op and replace #antisocial with the name of the channel you
wish.
To give someone half op status simply repeat the above and replace the
+o with +h and if you would like to voice them +v
To revoke status simply type the above but change the + to - Its that
simple.
Here is a list of some other modes and their purpose.
+a Means protected. A Protected user cannot be banned or kicked from
the channel.
+oa Means protected operator. You will see this often. Other modes can
also be combined like this.
+q Means founder status. The owner of the channel has this status;
they are automatically protected and given ops. Anyone with the
channel password can have this status.
+b Means banned. A user set at +b cannot join the channel
+e Means excluded or exception. you can put a user (yourself included)
or a group of users at +e mode. This means they cannot be banned from
a channel. However, any other operator can revoke that by simply
setting mode -e
{1B}------------Channel Modes------------------------------------------
Channel modes can be set by operators. To change a channel mode you
type
/mode +m #antisocial
+m Means moderated. That means only users with +v status or above can
talk.
+s Means Secret. This makes a channel so that it does not appear on
the channel list.
+k Means locked. This makes a channel so that no one can enter without
the key (the password).
+i Is invite only. This means you cannot join a channel unless an
operator on that channel invites you.
Notice that there are many more channel modes, I have simply listed
some of the most commonly used. Also realize that modes +S (color strip) and
+s (secret) are two very different modes.
{2}********* How do I change and register my nick name? ******************
To change your nick name type
/nick Guest1234
Replace Guest1234 with the name of your choice
To register you nick name so that no one else can use it type
/msg nickserv register password Email
Replace password and Email with your password and your Email and don't
forget your password.
It will be necessary to identify your nick name the next time you
connect or nickserv will change your nick to Guest.
To identify your nick type
/msg nickserv identify password
Replace password with your password.
If your name is Guest1234 you must use the /nick command to change to
your registered name before you identify your nick.
If you think identifying your password every time you connect is too
much trouble please read the next section.
{2A}----------- Using /perform -----------------------------------------
/perform is a rather self explanatory thing
It will perform all the commands it contains when you connect to a
server. If you are using a java applet you will not be able to use
/perform. Most mIRC scripts have /perform. You can put commands in it
by going to file, options, perform. I highly suggest that you spend
some time looking around in options and/or preferences on your script.
If you can not seem to find perform or a little box that says
"Perform these commands on connect." than try typing
/perform on
You should see a msg in your status window that says
Perform is on.
If you see this that means you do indeed have /perform and I suggest
that you keep looking for it. Please realize if you want to go on
another server you may want to type /perform off before you connect
so that you will not end up joining a bunch of channels that don't
really exist there.
Here is an example of what most people put in /perform
/msg nickserv identify mypassword
/join #social
/msg chanserv identify #social mychanpassword
/join #chatbox
/list
All of the commands here are explained in this document. The only
things you need to remember about /perform are, the passwords here
are not secure and it would be very easy for someone to get them if
they wished to.
Do not put more than one command per line and always do the identify
commands first, otherwise nickserv may change your name. The commands
are performed from the top of the list to the bottom. Other than that
you can put any commands in here you wish.
{3}******** How do I make actions and join other channels? *****************
To make an action type
/me hugs X
You will see on your screen Guest1234 hugs X
Guest1234 is your name "hugs X" is whatever action you would like
to do. Replace "hugs X" with the action of your choice.
To join another channel you simply type
/join #paragon
Replace #paragon with the channel of your choice
To see a list of the channels type
/list
To leave a channel type
/part
{3A}--------------More Simple Commands---------------------------------------
To send a private message abbreviated msg type
/msg semi Hi, how are you?
Replace semi with the name of the user you would like to msg and
"Hi how are you?" with what you would like to say.
This will open a new window when they respond, you can also open this
window by clicking on the user's name from the list in some cases.
To kick someone of lower status then yourself from a channel type
/kick #antisocial synakal You are so synakal!
Replace synakal with that persons nick name and realize capital letters
and other characters are necessary. The nick must match exactly. Replace
#antisocial with the channel of your choice. It is good to supply a reason
for the kick.
To set your status as away or afk (away from keyboard) type
/away dinner
Replace dinner with the reason why you are away. You may not need to
specify a reason.
To return from away status simply type
/away
All the channels on which you are present will see the away message. Another
common way to show that you are away is to change you nick name (using the
/nick command ) to something like: Guest1234|away or trin{a}. If you have an
a in your name like angel you may change your name to [a]ngel.
{4}************** How can I send and receive memos? **************************
/msg memoserv send morph346 How are you? I haven't seen you online much.
Memos must not exceed a certain character limit and memos can be sent to
users who are offline.
To list all memos you have received type
/msg memoserv list
To read a memo type
/msg memoserv read 1
Replace 1 with the number assigned to that memo on the list. The list
will also display who sent you the memo and when.
For more memoserv commands type
/msg memoserv help
{5}************* Who is chanserv, and why won't he talk to me? ***********
Chanserv, also called channel serve, is a bot. A bot is a script or
rather a program that obeys commands by the users. X is another name
for chanserv. Bots are very common on Mirc, most servers have
chanserv or a similar bot to manage channels. There are other kinds
of bots like Trivia that run simple games or greet users.
For a list of some chanserv commands type
/msg chanserv help
{6}********* How do I create and manage my very own channel? ***************
To create your own channel you first must have a registered nickname.
To create a channel type
/join #social
To register your channel type
/msg chanserv register #social password "Welcome to my chat channel"
Replace #social with the name of your channel. You must have the #
symbol. Also, you cannot have a channel that has already been registered
by someone else. Channel names may contain almost any character, but no
spaces. If you feel the need for a space use the underscore.
Replace password with the password of your choice, and replace "Welcome
to my chat channel" with your room topic. Try to think of something clever.
Now you have your very own channel. Each time you join your channel you
must type
/msg chanserv identify #social password
Chanserv will then set your mode to +q (founder status)
There are many settings you now have control over. Your channel will need
an access list if you would like to have any operators other than yourself.
You also must realize that if no one on the access list joins your channel
in two weeks the channel will be dropped. If your nick name is not used
for one month your channel will also be dropped unless you have set a
successor. In that event the successor will be given the password and
permanent founder status of your channel.
To set a successor type
/msg chanserv set #social successor thewhiteball
It is not necessary to set a successor.
{6A}----------The Access List----------------------------------------------
The access list is an easy way to manage and control your channel when you
are not online.
To delete a user from your access list type
/msg chanserv access #social del Blouz
Replace #social with the name of your channel and Blouz with the nick of the
user to be deleted.
To add a user to the access list type
/msg chanserv access #social add Yawgmoth 10
This will add Yawgmoth to your access list. Replace #social with the name
of your channel. Replace 10 with the level of your choice, positive levels
range from 1-9999
Levels are a way of specifying the user's mode and status. The higher the
level the higher the status. If you have set Yawgmoth's level to 10
chanserv will set mode +o Yawgmoth whenever that user joins your channel.
You must understand user modes, if you do not then please read or reread
the section about modes before continuing.
Levels 1-2 equal +v That means the user will be voiced automatically
upon joining your channel.
Levels 3-4 equal +h That means the user will be given half-op status.
Levels 5-14 equal +o That means the user will be given operator status.
Levels 15-9999 equal +oa That means the user will be given protected
operator status.
The levels listed above may be different on your server. You can change
the numbers associated with certain privileges or levels. Most people do
not and it is unwise to change the default settings before you are
comfortable with the commands. I have listed all the positive levels
and I do not suggest the use of negative ones.
To see a list of the current levels settings type
/msg chanserv levels #social list
To view your access list type
/msg chanserv access #social list
{6B}----------Channel Commands You Will Need----------------------------------
To invite a user to your channel type
/invite #social thewhiteball
If you would like to be invited to an invite only channel type
/knock #keepout
One of two things will happen. The users on the channel will see your
request or you will see a message in your status window saying that this
channel is +K, meaning no knocks are allowed. You should probably find
another channel to join; #keepout obviously does not wish to be disturbed.
For a list of some channel commands type
/msg chanserv help set
{7}********* What is an irc server, and what is Axenet? *******************
"<@Morph346> So Ron where is this server thing, under you bed?"
Hehe, for the record, he was not serious. But I totally understand the
logic there. You can't help but wonder what the server "looks like".
Well an IRC server is just that, a server; a computer that is always
online to allow people like you and I to access what it has to share.
Your IRC server is probably not just one server. Like the internet it
is a network. Unlike the internet the servers are usually connected
to a central hub (think hub as in the center of a wheel with all the
little spokes being lines to other servers). You may already realize
this; if I am on axenet I cannot talk to someone who is on dalnet
because obviously irc.axenet.org and irc.dalnet.org are not linked. Yet
you know that axenet is made up of lots of servers; I can be on
nova.axenet.org and you can be on toaster.axenet.org and we can still
talk because these servers are linked. To see how these servers are
linked type /map in your status window.
Servers are often run from shell accounts. A shell account is where you
have access to a server, just like it were your own computer, but shell
accounts can be expensive; servers are run on stable operating systems
(not windows). Please realize that the people that run IRC (Internet
Relay Chat) servers do not get paid. They probably are paying for the use
of a shell account, so don't harass them!
{8}************ How can I learn more commands? ******************************
To start you can type /help
That may not work. You can also type
/helpop ? This should bring you a list of topics. You can then type
/helpop ?chmodes
That will give you help on channel modes. Replace chmodes with the topic
on the list of your choice, there should be instructions.
If you would like help from an operator you can type
/helpop !(your question here) I've never actually used this command or
seen it used, so I would suggest if you want help join a help channel,
but you can use his command as a last resort.
You can visit www.axenet.org and read the help files supplied there. They
will give you a good understanding of all the commands, unlike this file
which only teaches you those more commonly used. This file is simply
meant to give you the basics. Once you learn a few commands, they start
to look alike. There is logic behind that!
{9}********** What is mIRC? Where can I get a mIRC script? ***************
"Definition: Undoubtedly the most popular IRC client, mIRC was first
written by Khaled Mardam-Bey in 1995." (this quote from the following
link)
http://www.nip.nl/mirc/ (The official mIRC page. Please check out some
of the links here.)
http://www.nip.nl/mirc/mirc.html (A few commands you may like to play
with, some information on mIRC and even a page of Script downloads.)
9A}---------Using Copy/Paste and Nick Completion-------------------------
These are very simple functions that almost all mIRC scripts have but,
there are usually no instructions regarding the use of them! To
copy text from a chat simply highlight the text with your mouse.
Next click where you would like to paste; right click and select paste.
You never need to select copy, highlighted text is automatically copied.
Please be careful when pasting large amounts of text into a chat
room because you may activate someone's flood protection and find
yourself banned. (Flooding is filling up a chat room with unwanted text.
Normally flooding is done with timers sending the same statement over
and over; because flooding is so common on IRC (Internet Relay Chat)
flood protection is often over sensitive.
In order to use nick completion simply type the first few letters of a
nick name then press tab and check to be sure that the name displayed is
the one you intended.
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If you have any further questions that you would like answered here or if
you find any misstatements or even a spelling error:Email
trinity@axenet.org I assure you I will respond.
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