help-old.squat.net/ irc

IRC (Internet Relay Chat) is a useful way to keep in touch with people in different places and to spread information.

There are different nodes and we hang out on the Indymedia node.

If you wanted to have a tech question answered or to give us squat-related news, of course you can email, but you could also visit the squat chatroom. This guide will explain how to do that.

Quick login

The fastest way to get onto the Indymedia IRC node is to go to https://irc.indymedia.nl/. You can select a nickname (the odder the better) and choose to join the squat channel. Click connect and you are in. Simples! Then you can go ahead and type your question or news. People are not checking the channel 24/7 but hopefully someone will reply in good time. You will remain in the channel as long as you keep the window open.

Although it may appear strange at first, IRC is easy to navigate and there are lots of guides online, for example this one.

Normal login

Usually people would use an IRC client or connect via a terminal. Guides for this are easily found, for example http://docs.indymedia.org/view/Sysadmin/IrcHowTo.

To join the squat chatroom type:

/join #squat

Using Screen/IRSSI

If you have shell access, you can use Screen as a persistent shell to stay logged in permanently on IRC. This means that you can turn your computer off and come back later to IRC, but still be able to follow conversations people are having. Obviously this can be quite handy.

Registering your nickname

If you plan to use Screen and stay on IRC long term, it would be a good idea to register your nickname, then no-one else can impersonate you. This is easily done, unless someone is already using your nick, in which case you will have to choose another name.

When in IRC, type:

/msg Nickserv REGISTER <password> <email>

Now your nickname is registered to you and the next time you login you can verify your identity by typing:

/msg NickServ IDENTIFY <password>

References