IRC

Internet Relay Chat, or IRC for short, is a protocol used for real-time chat. The main focus lies on group communications, but private chat is also possible. In order to use IRC, you need to use an IRC client (software) to connect to a specific IRC server; for example the GBAtemp IRC server, with address irc.gbatemp.net. You will always need to connect to a specific port, like 4500 for the GBAtemp server. The port is added behind the server address, separated by a colon or slash. For example, the full address of the GBAtemp IRC server is irc.gbatemp.net:4500.

IRC Rules and Operators

The rules for IRC can be found in the MOTD (Message of the day), which you should see when connecting to the IRC server (or when using the /motd command). The GBAtemp IRC rules can also be found on this page).

Rules on an IRC server are enforced by the IRC Operators (IRCops). These are special operators on the irc server itself, and should not be confused by channel operators (who manage a channel). An IRCop can force disconnect people from the server (kill) as well as ban them (k-line). Some IRCops may also have the rights to manage modes on all channels without being in them.

Getting Started

A startup guide can be found in the IRC Guide.

To post a reply in a channel or query (see below), you just have to type the message in your IRC client and press Enter. In most clients, a message will appear like this:

<yourname> message

Commands

To enter a Command, simply start your reply with a single / (slash). Every command has a different effect. Many commands are handled by the IRC Client, but can also be sent to the server if the Command is not recognized.

Example commands

Some common commands on IRC. Everything between [ ] needs to be replaced by what it says. Channel names should include the preceding # (eg. #gbatemp.net)

Command	What it does
/join [channelname]	Lets you join a specific channel.
/leave [channelname]	Leave a channel.
/quit	Disconnect from the current server.
/nick [new nickname]	Changes your nickname.
/msg [nickname] [message]	Start a new query (private conversation) with <nickname>.
/me [action]	"/me" will be replaced by your nickname, allowing you to express an action (example: /me is bored). No < > brackets will be added around your name.
/whois [nickname]	Shows some information about [nickname], like their host, idle time, etc.
/mode [...]	Very powerful command. Changes the mode of a user or channel. Many modes exist and all serve different purposes. You can find extended lists online.
/list	Get a list with all (non-hidden) channels.

Channels

A channel is a place where people come together on an IRC server. Each channel has an unique name on the IRC Network. Most names start with a # symbol (eg. #gbatemp.net). A channel usually also has a topic.

After you connected to a server, you can join a specific channel with the following command (replace [channelname] by the name of the channel, including the # symbol!):

/join [channelname]

The Main GBAtemp channel on the GBAtemp IRC server is #gbatemp.net. To get a list with all channels, type:

/list

People in a channel have different access levels. These levels are associated with specific channel modes, and will indicated by a prefix before the user's name.

Level	Prefix	Mode	Meaning
0	(none)	(none)	Regular users. No additional rights.
3	+	+v	Voice. Has the ability to bypass bans, but no operator rights over the channel.
4	%	+h	Half Operator. Has basic operator rights like kicking and banning users.
5	@	+o	Channel Operator. More extended operator rights and can promote others to operator.
10	&	+a	Channel Admin. Can do everything an operator can, and can change channel modes without being an operator.
infinite	~	+q	Channel Owner. These people have the highest rights on a channel. Usually reserved for the person who registered the channel.

Other channel modes exist. Some of the more common modes are:

Mode	Meaning
b	Channel ban. A ban prevents certain users from joining the channel. Does not kick people that are already in the channel; these need to be kicked manually.
k	Channel key. A password must be entered to enter the channel. Not the same as the owner password.
n	No external messages. Prevents people from using /msg on a channel, which otherwise lets you talk without joining the channel.
r	Channel is registered with services (see below).
t	Only channel operators can change the topic of the channel.

Registering channels

The first user to join an empty channel will automatically be given operator rights. This user may then give operator status to other users if desired. Operator status need to be given anew each time the channel is joined. Thus, if everyone leaves, the first next person to join will be made the operator.

Sometimes this is not desired, and only certain people should have operator rights in a channel. In this case, an operator can register the channel with the services. To register a channel, the following command is used:

/msg ChanServ register [channel] [password] [description]

The password is used only to identify members with Owner level access. As such, this password should only be shared with people who need full control over the channel. Other access levels are managed trough the access list of the channel. More info on how to manage this list can be viewed by using the command:

/msg ChanServ help access

Once registered, people on the access list will be given operator status automatically when joining the channel. Other users will no longer get operator status if they are the first to join.

Private messages

Also called queries. These are semi-direct communications between 2 people. Messages will still be sent to the server, but they will only be forwarded to the specified person. On most clients, a separate tab will open for the conversation.

To start a query with someone, use one of the following commands:

/msg [name] [message]
/query [name] [message]

In many IRC clients, you can also (double) click the nickname of a user.

External links

IRC Guide by Antoligy
GBAtemp IRC Rules

IRC

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