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Special IRC Guide Edition. Part 2


SFP Press is pleased to present a multi-part guide to using the IRC (Internet Relay Chat). This guide is written by the SFP's great proletarian Mario Brother, Captain Zhao Ji, eternal sentinel of #socialistfreedomparty and a true friend of the people.


Zhao Ji, supreme master of the art of disappearance


To speak to Zhao Ji in person, head on over to Rizon IRC at #socialistfreedomparty.



IRC 102, An Intermediary or: Much Ado About Clients

by Zhao Ji


Now that you've got the basics down and you've been talking around, you might think that you're some kind of hotshot. Well, you'd be wrong in thinking that because in fact, there is only one hotshot and his name is Han Solo. For everyone else there's only mediocrity.


If Han Solo played eRepublik, you know he'd join the SFP


So time to tackle the mighty question: What the hell is a client? It's a dedicated (in some cases) program that is specifically (again, not always) used to connect to IRC networks the world over, and let me tell you, it's a whole different ball game from the web client you've been using thus far.

So you're thinking, "Cap'n Zhao? Why would I want to get a program that's dedicated to IRC and stop using the excellent qchat web client you just gave me? It works great!" Well because, grasshopper, what works for you won't necessarily work well for everyone. Some people have trouble with web clients, especially Java based ones. So they need an actual program on their computer instead.

Now there are a few possibilities and the choice is yours:

mIRC: A Windows-only dedicated (rea😛 single platform. More on this below.) Developed by one Khaled Mardam-Bey. He's some kind of one man army. Click the link to go to the page and download it.

Once you install, fire it up. In the latest version, it might prompt you to fill out your name and some details. You don't have to do any of that and it will still work groovy. You'll get a splash screen or two telling you some info and asking you to register. That costs money. We're cheapo pirates. Ignore it, and soon enough it will go away. Leaving you with...! Stalling tactic...! A blank screen. "What?!" Cries you. Don't worry, that's normal.

See, unlike the web client, these installed programs take a bit of setting up, but all of the commands are virtually the same for every one. To connect directly to our channel, type into the main window (They're called status windows, by the way) "/server -m irc.rizon.net -i {your nick} -j #socialistfreedomparty" (Don't forget to fill in the brackets and remove the quotes, eh?) That should connect you into our channel. To identify type into that same box (Status window) "/ns identify {password goes here}" where password is the password you chose to use in the last guide.


But wait, there's more!



What? "Everything on Linux is free?" You're joking, right?

XChat: It runs on both Windows and Linux. (If you're running Linux, chances are you're already a hardcore technophile. In which case, what the hell are you reading this for?) But it is still an IRC dedicated program. All of the commands are the same, so it's like the IRC client all of the cool indie kids would use if IRC was a high school.


Those are the two main really good ones that will work 9 times out of 10. There's also a whole laundry list of others that you can pick and choose from. Just remember it's all the same once you plug them in. If you've used one, you've used them all.

"That's all well and good, Oh Wise One, but I'm not convinced." Ah, you must want a list of reasons, then. Very well.

Amongst higher chances of compatibility, you'll also get the option to keep logs of your conversations, maintain highlight and notify lists. (We'll talk about that last one when you're older.) Also, the ability to auto-connect and auto-identify, and all around more automation in general. If that doesn't sell it, well then you also get an online timer. (With mIRC anyway) So you can keep track of just how much time you've spent away from family as the memory of their warmth fades away to be replaced by cold despair and bitter regret.


That's all for now. Next time we'll learn to go to the bathroom all by ourselves. If you've got questions and suggestions, ask away. I'll make sure to try and cover them with unscrupulous edits and later issues.










New to the game? Hungry? Low Wellness? Need to get in out of the rain? Help is available. Contact the SFP's Rainy Day Food Reserve for assistance.


Looking for job at a fair wage? Check out the SFP Commune's collection of profit share Co-ops. Using a variety of methods to work together for a fair shake in the economic module, these companies are run by and for the workers: SFP Communal Grain II, Floating Monkey Grain, Harmonic Iron Works, Workers Weapons, Civil Food, Syndicalist Oil, and Ho Chi Minh Trailways.




It's Your Game. Rock the world: Join the Socialist Freedom Party today.


Friends and curiosity-seekers are welcome join us on our forum at socialistfreedom.org and on Rizon IRC at #socialistfreedomparty.


IRC Guide, Part 1