YC mIRC Guide

This tutorial will help you connect to IRC using mIRC, a popular client for Windows, as well as give you a basic understanding of how IRC works. First, visit the below link to download and install mIRC:

http://www.mirc.com/get.html

After the installation is complete, launch mIRC. You will be presented with a splash screen denoting that mIRC is shareware. Even though it has a 30-day trial, it will continue to function normally even after it expires. Close the dialog and the connect dialog will appear:

Your Full Name isn’t very important, but it will appear in your profile when people look you up. Email Address is used to generate an identifiable address for you called a hostmask. Nickname is what other users will see you as, and Alternative is what nick will be used when your primary nickname is being taken on the server. Proceed to fill out these four fields. Now, on the left-hand side of the dialog, go one place down to Servers.

Before you continue, you need to know that IRC is a medium that runs on several different networks. Each network contains channels, the rooms in which users chat. A channel on one network cannot be accessed in another network, so you need to connect to the right one. mIRC already comes with an extensive list of public IRC networks, but the one we want to join isn’t on there, so click Add, and fill out the fields like so:

After that, click Add, and the server will appear in the list. Click on it and choose Select. Now you have mIRC set to connect to Fractalcast-Networks, but you haven’t told it which channel to join. To do this, go to the left-hand side and select Options, listed right below Servers. You might want to check these boxes now: Connect on startup, Preserve nicknames. Then, click the Perform button to bring up this window:

Perform allows you to execute commands when you connect to an IRC server. Now, check the box to enable Perform, then click Add. Select Fractalcast-Networks from the list and click Ok. Under Perform commands, type in the following: /join #yc

Now that we have mIRC set to join a channel, click Ok, go back up to Connect, and choose Connect to server. If you followed this guide correctly, mIRC should enter #yc, after which you can go ahead and start chatting! Before you do too much else, I highly recommend you register your name using NickServ, a services bot. Doing this will grant you many benefits, such as nickname protection, recovery from lost connections, and the right to special channel privileges. To register, go to your status window (the button is located along the top, named Fractalcast-Networks), and in the edit box at the bottom, type this in:

/nickserv register [password] [email]

Replace [password] and [email] with your own password and e-mail address, respectively. If successful, you should be promoted to registered status for the current session. Next time you connect, you will need to identify by entering the following:

/nickserv identify [password]

This will allow NickServ to recognize you as a registered user again. To automate the process, you can even put it on a new line in the Perform dialog. To learn all of the commands you can use with NickServ, enter this in, and you will receive a comprehensive listing of every feature available to you:

/nickserv help

Some things you should know about using mIRC, and IRC in general:

• A forward-slash at the beginning always denotes a command (EG. /server). Most commands have various parameters, each of which are separated by a space except for the last one, which is allowed to contain spaces inside itself. There are various commands for you to use, and mIRC has documentation on most all of them. Some basic commands include:

• /join #channel

Attempts to join #channel. This will fail if the channel you are trying to enter is invite-only, or you are banned from it.

• /part #channel [reason]

Leaves #channel and displays [reason] (optional) as a message for why you left.

• /quit [reason]

Disconnects you from the current server, displaying [reason] (optional) as a message for why you quit.

• /me [text]

Makes you perform an action with [text], rather than speaking it. For example, /me eats a pie would come out as: * Yoshi eats a pie. Often used for roleplay sessions.

• /nick [newnick]

Changes your nick to [newnick]. Using it too many times in a row may aggravate those in charge of the channel.

• /query [nick] [text]

Sends a private message to [nick] with the message [text]. If the user replies, a new window should pop up along the top that you can switch to. You can then talk to them in this new window without having to use /query.

• /whois [nick]

Gives you information about the user [nick], such as real name, hostmask, channels the user is on, etc. If the user has just left, use /whowas instead.

• /list

Displays a list of all public channels on the network. By double-clicking one in the list, you will join it.

• Do not enter anything containing /write, /raw, /quote, or $decode unless you know exactly what it will do. Many scammers try to trick people with this into infecting their systems with a Trojan Horse. Don’t take their advice unless you want to suffer the consequences. Remember, you can ignore the user at any time with the built-in ignore list function.
• mIRC has a wide variety of options you can toggle, so look around! You can adjust things like general IRC behavior, user colors, sounds, and highlights (makes a beep when someone says a certain phrase in a channel).
• In the userlist on the right, there are nicks with certain symbols by them. These denote the level of privileges they have. + means the user is voiced (typically done after the user is registered), @ means operator (can kick/ban people and adjust channel modes), % means half-operator (can kick but not set modes), & means super operator (has extended control over the channel) and ~ means channel founder (total control). It is wise to listen to the directions of any operator in the room. If you’re breaking the rules, an operator will usually tell you to stop. You should obey them or else action will be taken against you.
• As I mentioned before, all channels have special modes that can be set by operators at any time. These can be seen in the titlebar, and will usually look something like this: +fGnrt. Each letter designates a single channel mode. For example, +f will kick anyone attempting to flood the room with too many lines. For a full list of modes, go here. Scroll down to the Chmodes heading and you should be able to find the meanings of every mode.
• For some fun, try using: /xyzzy
• mIRC includes a simple but extensive scripting language that can be used to create custom commands, automate tasks, and even create your own IRC bots (don’t abuse it, however). There are many resources out there that can help you learn the language, and the manual should tell you just about everything you need to know.

That should cover the basics. For those curious about what my mIRC client looks like, go here. And if you ever need help, you can contact me through the network with: /query Blitzzoshi

Happy chatting!