v0.4 7 January, 2005
| Revision History | ||
|---|---|---|
| Revision 0.4 | 2005-01-07 | Revised by: fredlwm |
| Fifth revision. | ||
This document is still WIP, and should be treated as such. I'll do my best to keep it updated and accurate.
The following bibles shouldn't be ignored:
RFC 1459 by Jarkko Oikarinen and Darren Reed was the first about the Internet Relay Chat Protocol - http://ftp.isi.edu/in-notes/rfc1459.txt
RFC 2810 by Christophe Kalt updates RFC 1459 and describes the Architecture of the Internet Relay Chat - http://ftp.isi.edu/in-notes/rfc2810.txt
RFC 2811 by Christophe Kalt updates RFC 1459 and describes the Channel Management of the Internet Relay Chat - http://ftp.isi.edu/in-notes/rfc2811.txt
RFC 2812 by Christophe Kalt updates RFC 1459 and describes the Client Protocol of the Internet Relay Chat - http://ftp.isi.edu/in-notes/rfc2812.txt
RFC 2813 by Christophe Kalt updates RFC 1459 and describes the Server Protocol of the Internet Relay Chat - http://ftp.isi.edu/in-notes/rfc2813.txt
Also be sure to check the following links:
Among others, the objectives of this mini-HOWTO are:
Link important resources about IRC;
Avoid common misuses of IRC by writing an IRC Etiquette;
List popular clients, servers, bots, and bouncers, along with their maintainers, #channel, small description, download location, home page, and hints;
List IRC tools available in the latest release of all major distributions.
The latest version of this document is available at http://www.pervalidus.net/documentation/IRC-mini-HOWTO/
A WIP of the next draft may be available at http://www.pervalidus.net/documentation/IRC-mini-HOWTO/WIP/
All drafts are archived at http://www.pervalidus.net/documentation/IRC-mini-HOWTO/old/
Everything may be mirrored at http://www2.pervalidus.net/documentation/IRC-mini-HOWTO/
You can e-mail me (in English, French, or Portuguese) with suggestions about the mini-HOWTO. I know this is far from finished, but hope you find it useful. Just try to avoid asking me to add your application, distribution, or site. Most likely I won't, but you can try to persuade me. Also don't ask for technical support. I have no time to help everyone.
BTW, someone to work on the protocol and server sides would be very welcome.
Frédéric L. W. Meunier - http://www.pervalidus.net/contact.html
Excerpt from RFC2810:
The IRC (Internet Relay Chat) protocol is for use with text based conferencing. It has been developed since 1989 when it was originally implemented as a mean for users on a BBS to chat amongst themselves.
First formally documented in May 1993 by RFC 1459 [IRC], the protocol has kept evolving.
The IRC Protocol is based on the client-server model, and is well suited to running on many machines in a distributed fashion. A typical setup involves a single process (the server) forming a central point for clients (or other servers) to connect to, performing the required message delivery/multiplexing and other functions.
This distributed model, which requires each server to have a copy of the global state information, is still the most flagrant problem of the protocol as it is a serious handicap, which limits the maximum size a network can reach. If the existing networks have been able keep growing at an incredible pace, we must thank hardware manufacturers for giving us ever more powerful systems.
The first IRC daemon was written in the summer of 1998 by Jarkko "WiZ" Oikarinen of the University of Oulu, Finland. Originally intended as a BBS-style replacement for Talk, IRC quickly spread; first through Scandinavian, and then throughout the rest of the world. Within a year there were over 40 servers linked up.
At this stage there was only one network, and so a name unnecessary - it was simply 'IRC'; but as the size of the network grew, disagreements began to form. IRC was a pretty chaotic medium with netsplits, nick collisions, and channel takeovers all commonplace; and it was inevitable that at some stage users would split off to form their own networks.
One of the first major splits was in 1992, when Wildthang created the Undernet network. Originally intended as a test network, Undernet quickly grew, gaining a reputation as a friendly network due to it's introduction of services to protect users and channels.
Two years later, Undernet itself forked, the new networking becoming DALnet. DALnet's founder, dalvenjah, took Undernet's concept of services to a new level, introducing support for nick registration, G-lines, and a host of other features.
Meanwhile on IRCnet (as the original IRC network was now known), feelings where running high. IRCnet was opposed to the concept of channel/nick 'ownership' which Undernet and DALnet had introduced, but clearly something had to be done about the constant channel takeovers that were occuring. Two alternative ideas were proposed: nick/channel delay, and timestamping (see http://www.irc-help.org for information), but there was bitter dispute over which to implement.
In July of 1996, IRCnet split, with most of the North American servers leaving to form EFnet, leaving IRCnet as a mostly European network.
Since then, hundreds of other smaller networks have formed, most using modified versions of either DALnet, EFnet, IRCnet, or Undernet's ircd.
The standard IRC client is the original ircII. It's part of most Linux distributions, and most other text-based IRC clients (notably BitchX and EPIC) are derived from it.
It's easy to use ircII. Let's say you want to connect to irc.freenode.net as mini-HOWTO.
At the command line, type:
$ irc mini-HOWTO irc.freenode.net
You can also export variables, so you won't need to use them at the command line. For bash and zsh users:
$ export IRCNICK=mini-HOWTO IRCSERVER=irc.freenode.net
For csh and tcsh users, replace export with setenv.
Add them to your shell profile (e.g. ~/.bash_profile or ~/.zprofile) when you're done.
Other common variables are IRCNAME and IRCUSER, to respectively set the ircname part of a /whois and username as seen at the first line 'mini-HOWTO is ~username@hostname (ircname)'. Keep in mind that IRCUSER won't work if you run an ident daemon (default on most distributions). If you still need to change your username (not recommended, and I hope you're not using IRC logged as root !), install oidentd from http://ojnk.sourceforge.net/ . To configure, read the oidentd.conf man page. Finally run '/usr/local/sbin/oidentd -g nobody -u nobody'. Add this to your startup scripts (e.g. /etc/rc.d/rc.local) when you're done.
If not set, IRCNICK, IRCUSER, and IRCNAME will be retrieved from /etc/passwd .
Use /help to get a list on all available commands (/help help is a good start). Replace nick by any IRCNICK.
First, /set NOVICE off
/nick IRC-mini-HOWTO changes your IRCNICK to IRC-mini-HOWTO
/set realname The Linux IRC mini-HOWTO changes your IRCNAME to The Linux IRC mini-HOWTO (doesn't change on the same connection)
/j #mini-HOWTO joins channel #mini-HOWTO
/j #unmaintained-HOWTO joins channel#unmaintained-HOWTO
/j #mini-HOWTO changes the active current channel to #mini-HOWTO
/msg nick Hi. sends a private message to nick containing Hi.
/notice nick (or #mini-HOWTO) Hi. sends a notice to nick (or #mini-HOWTO) containing Hi.
/query nick starts a private conversation with nick. /query ends the private conversation
/me uses Linux. sends an action to the current channel or query containing IRC-mini-HOWTO loves Linux.
/dcc chat nick starts a chat with nick. Use /msg =nick (notice the =) to send messages over the chat
/dcc send nick /etc/HOSTNAME sends the given file to nick
/dcc get nick receives the file offered by nick
/part leaves the active current channel
/part #unmaintained-HOWTO leaves channel #unmaintained-HOWTO
/discon disconnects from current IRCSERVER
/server irc.oftc.net connects to IRCSERVER irc.oftc.net
/quit Bye. quits your IRC session with a reason Bye.
Most of the above commands (including the use of environmental variables) will also work in other console-based clients.
WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING
Never use IRC logged as root or any user with excessive privileges. Bad things may happen sooner or later. You were warned. It's highly recommended you create an user only to use IRC.
$ man adduser
On Linux channels you shouldn't:
Act as an idiot. If you want to be respected, then first respect each other.
Use colors (^C). Most Linux users don't tolerate such mIRC crazes, and ircII doesn't really support them. The same should apply for ANSI.
Use full CAPS, bold (^B), reverse (^V), underline (^_), blink (^F), and bell (^G). The first 4 are here to emphasize words, not the whole text. The last 2 are just very annoying.
Ask if you can ask a question. Just ask, but first read all documentation available on the subject. Start looking at /usr/doc/ (on some systems it may be /usr/doc/, otherwise go to http://www.tldp.org/ or http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/docs/ . And don't repeat your question immediately. Wait at least 10 minutes. If you don't get any answer it's because nobody knows or wants to help. Respect their choice, they're not your personal assistant. Also never send mass private messages. It's like spam.
Maintainer: ircII project
IRC Channel: #ircII (official channel ?) on EFNet http://www.efnet.org/?module=servers
Originally written by Michael Sandrof, ircII comes with most Linux distributions. It uses termcap and shouldn't be a choice for most users, but is a standard. Mathusalem and other gurus will use it. Less ventured will regret to have it installed.
You can get the latest version of ircII from ftp://ircii.warped.com/pub/ircII/ . Homepage at http://www.eterna.com.au/ircii/
Maintainer: EPIC Software Labs
IRC Channel: #EPIC on EFNet
Based on ircII, EPIC (Enhanced Programmable ircII Client) is meant for real scripters and users searching freedom. When you start it for the first time you'll notice that you should really learn the basics of scripting.
You can get the latest version of EPIC from http://prbh.org/?page=ftp . Homepage at http://www.epicsol.org/
Maintainer: Colten Edwards
IRC Channel: #BitchX on EFNet
Originally a script for ircII, BitchX is a popular client intended to reduce the need for scripting by including a huge array of features in the client itself (too many features for even experienced users to remember). Many consider BitchX bloatware (not necessarily a bad thing), but it is very popular amongst users and opers alike.
You can get the latest version of BitchX from http://www.bitchx.org/download.php . Homepage at http://www.bitchx.org/
Maintainer: Timo Sirainen
IRC Channel: #irssi on freenode - http://freenode.net/irc_servers.shtml and IRCnet - http://www.ircnet.org/
Timo released yagIRC in 1997. It was a GUI client using the GTK+ toolkit. The army called on him a year later, and the new maintainers wouldn't do the job. yagIRC passed away and he started irssi as a replacement. It used GTK+. GNOME and curses versions would appear later. As of 0.7.90 it's only a modular text mode client. Supports Perl scripting.
You can get the latest version of irssi from http://irssi.org/?page=download . Homepage at http://irssi.org/
There are a few others ircII based clients.
Blackened - ftp://ftp.blackened.com/pub/irc/blackened/
Ninja - ftp://qoop.org/ninja/
ScrollZ - http://www.scrollz.com/
Maintainer: Lindsay F. Marshall
IRC Channel: None ?
Written in Tcl/Tk, uses the native network communications of Tcl.
You can get the latest version of Zircon from ftp://catless.ncl.ac.uk/pub/ . Homepage at http://catless.ncl.ac.uk/Programs/Zircon/
Maintainer: Szymon Stefanek
IRC Channel: #KVIrc on freenode
Also written with the Qt toolkit, KVIrc is a beast. Supports DCC Voice, built-in scripting language, and plugins.
You can get the latest version of KVIrc from http://www.kvirc.net/?id=download . Homepage at http://www.kvirc.net/
Maintainer: Peter Zelezny
IRC Channel: #Linux on ChatJunkies - http://www.chatjunkies.org/servers.php
Using GTK+ and optionally GNOME, supports Perl and Python scripting.
You can get the latest version of X-Chat from http://xchat.org/download/ . Homepage at http://xchat.org/
Maintainer: Patrick Earl
IRC Channel: #QuIRC on DALnet - http://www.dal.net/servers/index.php3
Using Tk, supports Tcl for scripting.
You can get the latest version of QuIRC from his Homepage at http://quirc.org/
Maintainer: ircd developers
IRC Channel: #ircd on IRCnet
The original IRC daemon, mainly used by IRCnet. Recent versions have attempted to improve on channel security through the introduction of additional channel types (eg !linux), and channel modes.
You can get the latest version of IRCD from ftp://ftp.irc.org/irc/server/. Homepage at http://www.irc.org/
Maintainer:
IRC Channel: None ?
Mainly used by EFNet. Hybrid's focus is on speed and efficiency, since it lacks many of the services offered by other networks. In keeping with EFnet's ethos that opers should not be concerned with channel matters, Hybrid doesn't allow opers to set modes on channels, or join channels from which they are banned. It is only relatively recently that Hybrid offered the ability for a service bot to reop an opless channel.
You can get the latest version of IRCD-Hybrid from http://ftp1.sourceforge.net/ircd-hybrid/ . Homepage at http://www.ircd-hybrid.org/
Maintainer: Undernet Coder Committee
IRC Channel: #ircu on Undernet - http://www.undernet.org/servers.php
Mainly used by Undernet. Following a series of DDoS attacks in 2001/2002, ircu has offered the ability for users and servers to hide their addresses. Many of the /stats commands have also (sadly) been removed from Undernet.
You can get the latest version of ircu from http://ftp1.sourceforge.net/undernet-ircu/ . Homepage at http://coder-com.undernet.org/
Maintainer: DALnet Coding Team
IRC Channel: #Bahamut on DALnet
Based on DreamForge and Hybrid, Bahamut is the DALnet server. Features include channel and nick registration, support for nicknames up to 15(?) characters, and a memo service.
You can get the latest version of Bahamut from http://bahamut.dal.net/download.php . Homepage at http://bahamut.dal.net/
Maintainer:
IRC Channel: #eggdrop on Undernet
Generally considered to be the IRC bot, Eggdrop offers robust channel protection, and is highly customisable through the use of Tcl scripting.
Multiple eggdrops can be linked together forming a botnet which can span multiple channels, or even networks. On networks without channel registration services, eggdrops are common feature in almost all large channels.
You can get the latest version of eggdrop from http://www.eggheads.org/downloads/ . Homepage at http://www.eggheads.org/
Maintainer: Proton
IRC Channel: None
Early versions of EnergyMech (or emech as it is frequently called), earned a reputation as something of a script kiddie's bot, through it's ability to run multiple bots from a single process (thus allowing less desirable users to load up hundreds of vhosted clones from a shell account). This is a reputation emech does not deserve, since it is really a rather good channel protection bot, and recent versions of emech have restricted this capacity (to max 4 bots). A popular alternative to Eggdrop.
You can get the latest version of EnergyMech from http://www.energymech.net/download.html . Homepage at http://www.energymech.net/
Maintainer: James Seter
IRC Channel: None ?
bnc is the original bouncer.
You can get the latest version of bnc from http://gotbnc.com/download.html . Homepage at http://gotbnc.com/
Maintainer: Sebastian Kienzl
IRC Channel: None ?
muh is a smart and versatile irc-bouncing tool that will also go on IRC as soon as it's launched, guarding or attempting to get your nick.
You can get the latest version of muh from http://ftp1.sourceforge.net/muh/ . Homepage at http://seb.riot.org/muh/
Maintainer: Murat Deligönül
IRC Channel: None ?
ezbounce's basic features include password protection, remote administration, logging and listening on multiple ports.
You can get the latest version of ezbounce from his Homepage at http://druglord.freelsd.org/ezbounce/
All popular clients use GNU Autoconf and GNU Automake, thus come with a configure script. Read the installation instructions after you unpack the sources. Be sure you have the required libraries in order to compile. Doing cd name_of_the_created_directory; ./configure --help; ./configure your_options_here; make; make install > ~/sources_install.log is the right procedure. Also note that for ircII, EPIC, and BitchX you should really edit include/config.h to suit your needs.
IRC Channel: #Debian on freenode (irc.debian.org -> irc.freenode.net)
Debian - http://www.debian.org/ includes too many IRC tools to list. You can find them at the following places:
Debian stable - http://ftp.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-i386/
Debian unstable (didn't receive enough testing) http://ftp.debian.org/debian/dists/unstable/main/binary-i386/
Also be sure to check the proposed updates - http://ftp.debian.org/debian/dists/proposed-updates/ . It may contain IRC clients as well.
IRC Channel: #RedHat on freenode (irc.redhat.com -> irc.freenode.net)
Fedora Core 3 includes the following clients:
EPIC4 1.0.1 - http://download.fedora.redhat.com/pub/fedora/linux/core/3/i386/os/Fedora/RPMS/epic-1.0.1-18.i386.rpm
KSirc from KDE Network 3.3.0 - http://download.fedora.redhat.com/pub/fedora/linux/core/3/i386/os/Fedora/RPMS/kdenetwork-3.3.0-5.i386.rpm
X-Chat 2.4.0 - http://download.fedora.redhat.com/pub/fedora/linux/core/3/i386/os/Fedora/RPMS/xchat-2.4.0-3.i386.rpm
Rawhide (current development)
http://download.fedora.redhat.com/pub/fedora/linux/core/development/ . Use at your own risk.
IRC Channel: #Slackware on freenode and OFTC - http://www.oftc.net/
Slackware - http://www.slackware.com/ 10.0 includes the following clients:
BitchX 1.1 - ftp://ftp.slackware.com/pub/slackware/slackware-10.0/slackware/n/bitchx-1.1-i486-1.tgz
EPIC4 2.0 - ftp://ftp.slackware.com/pub/slackware/slackware-10.0/slackware/n/epic4-2.0-i486-1.tgz
irssi 0.8.9 - ftp://ftp.slackware.com/pub/slackware/slackware-10.0/slackware/n/irssi-0.8.9-i486-3.tgz
KSirc from KDE Network 3.2.3 - ftp://ftp.slackware.com/pub/slackware/slackware-10.0/slackware/kde/kdenetwork-3.2.3-i486-1.tgz
X-Chat 2.0.9 - ftp://ftp.slackware.com/pub/slackware/slackware-10.0/slackware/gnome/xchat-2.0.9-i486-1.tgz
Slackware -current (current development)
ftp://ftp.slackware.com/pub/slackware/slackware-current/ . Use at your own risk.