How2IRC

So you may be wondering how to manage all the things going on in IRC. It's a little confusing at first as it's all command based so here's a quick primer on how to do it.

Usernames or "nicks":

A help list of any nick based command can be found by typing "/ns help" or "/msg nickserv help", "/ns" is a less verbose version of the latter so I recommend using that. Depending on your client this can either show up in your current window or the server status window. Here's a good list of ones that you should know and make use of:

• "/nick nickname" will set your nick to whatever you want. Keep in mind that nicknames are limited in what punctuation you can use and don't have an unlimited length. Generally you can only use a-z A-Z | [ ] { } - _ 0-9. That's not an exhaustive list but the majority of punctuation won't work. Also you can't have spaces.
• "/ns register password email". This registers the nickname you're currently using. You'll get an email after using it with a command you need to enter to finish the process. Once done you need to authenticate that nickname when you join the server or switch to it.
• "/ns identify password". This authenticates the nickname you're currently using so the server doesn't boot you off it.
• "/ns recover nickname password". This will kill any handle currently holding on to your nickname, whether it be an imposter or more usually a crashed IRC client.
• "/ns release nickname password". Similar to the above. Recover holds on to your nickname for an additional minute after use. If you still can't change back to it use release to kill any hold on it.

There's some more options like being able to turn the auto protect on your nickname off so you don't always have to identify but most of the advanced options can be found in "/ns help". As a tip any nickserv based commands where you type your password are best off done in the server status window so you don't accidentally reveal your password if you miss off the forward slash.

General stuff:

Here's some general commands that will come in handy.

• "/me text". Will perform an action. This is typically something along the lines of "Odin gives you a cookie"* and is shown in a different colour and formatted differently to normal chat.
• "/msg nickname". Sends a private message to a nickname and opens a private chat window with them.
• "/server servername" or "/s servername" joins a different IRC network. Note: If you use this it will kill your current connection. To open the network on a new connection put "-m" between "/s" and the network name. To join a specific channel upon connection add "-j channelnameI".
• "/join channelname" or "/j channelname" will join a specific channel. Unlike "/s" this will always open the channel in a new window.
• "/whois nickname" will give you more detailed info about a user.

* Note: Chances I will give you a cookie are slim to none.

At any rate this is by no means an exhaustive list but should help in getting started on IRC at the very least.

Getting to #whitenoise

There are two routes to #whitenoise. Through a web client or a local IRC client. I recommend using a local client as they tend to be a bit more robust but the web clients are great for getting to a channel while at work or on a public computer.

Things to keep in mind for either route:

As a courtesy please use the same name you use for your Gizmodo commenter account or a similar enough variant. This isn't something we plan on enforcing but it'd be nice to be able to identify other users with little hassle. Registering your nickname is helpful but not required. For how to do that as well as a bunch of other basic stuff on IRC check out the following:

http://ircwhitenoise.blogspot.com/2010/03/how2irc.html

Web client:

http://webchat.irchighway.net/

Enter your name and the channel (#whitenoise) and away you go.

Local client:

Download and install a client (e.g. www.mirc.com) and then there's a few ways to get in to the channel:

• Use the server browser to select the correct server (irc.irchighway.net) and then type "/j #whitenoise" and hit enter.
• On the server window type: "/s irc.highway.net -j #whitenoise".
• Click the following link and select the appropriate program to open it: irc://irc.irchighway.net/whitenoise

Rules of the Realm (UPDATED AGAIN)

Rules are mostly a formality, we hope we won't have to enforce them but we will to prevent the place from descending into anarchy. They'll be updated as and when needed.

First off a disclaimer:

This channel and by extension this blog are entirely unofficial and not endorsed in any capacity by Gizmodo, the Gawker blog network or any of its employees. Mostly what this means is that for any problems related to the channel you should not attempt to contact Gizmodo, Gawker, or any of its employees. For a start you won't find any help and you'll only cause problems for the rest of us.

Now for the rules.

The usual suspects:

1) No flaming.

Try and keep it civil please, we won't have any qualms removing users who choose to harass others with personal attacks.

2) No trolling.

Don't say anything to deliberately piss people off. This doesn't mean you can't express your opinion though. Stuff like: "I don't like A because of B" is fine but saying "C sucks and anyone that likes it is a/an D" is not.

3) No spamming.

Repeated linking, Picard face palms (or any other image macros) or just generally flooding people with wasteful text will earn you a trip out the door.

4) No spoilers.

Whether it's for games, films, TV or books. Try to avoid slipping out major spoilers. A level of leniency will be allowed for current discussions but try and keep away from big plot points. Spoilers do have an expiration date though, no one is going to have any sympathy if someone spoils FF7 for you.

General:

1) No impersonating others.

This most of all includes Gizmodo editors as well as other users. Even in jest I don't want to see anyone with the name Jesus or JesusDiaz etc. Unless of course it actually happens to be Jesus.

2) Please no harassing Rosa.

Yes Rosa does stop by from time to time. Yes she is pretty cool. But that doesn't mean you should beg her for a star. Be cool, treat her with respect like you would anyone else in the channel. Remember if she tells you to stop then stop. Her banhammer is just as strong here as it is on Gizmodo.

Moderation:

1) Respect the mods.

This is a no brainer. You should be respecting them as you would any other member of the channel in the first place. If a mod asks you to stop something though or tone it down then please comply, they're giving you fair warning. Mods have the symbols: %, @ and ! before their names.

2) Keep us in line.

We know those in power are never perfect and sometimes such power gets abused. If you have a problem with a mod go to another mod with it. But most importantly don't whine. If you have a problem then be prepared to give reasons why and offer evidence to the fact (chat logs etc). Baseless claims will make us less sympathetic to your case, not more.

3) Don't ask to be a mod.

There only needs to be as many mods as is needed to keep an eye on the channel throughout the day. If more is needed then we'll come to you rather than the other way around.

Links:

1) NSFW is fine buuuut...

NSFW links aren't banned but must be clearly marked as such. Anyone posting an untagged link will get a prompt boot as a warning. While these links aren't outlawed they must follow rules 2, 3 and 4. This applies at all hours of the day as we have visitors from numerous time zones who work different hours.

2) ...that doesn't mean you can just link porn...

Keep it relatively tasteful. Funny links that happen to be non work safe are okay but you shouldn't abuse rule 1 to try and link your favourite amateur site.

3) ...or anything offensive...

That means no racist, especially disgusting or anything that could generally be considered as such. It's hard to clarify what exactly would be classed as offensive so use your better judgement here. This list does include the usual disgusting suspects though, no 2 girls 1 cup, no goatse, no tubgirl or any of their ilk.

4) ...or anything illegal.

No links to illegal pornography or pirated materials or anything else against the law. Discussion of piracy is acceptable to an extent though. We're not one of those "ignore the elephant in the corner" establishments but nor will we endorse anyone showing people how to ride the elephant. Talking about it is fine, linking to pirated materials, offering links to said materials or explaining how to go about pirating* is not.

* Note that instructions or help with processes such as jailbreaking do not fall under this. Just because it can be used for piracy doesn't mean it will. The responsibility lies with the user and not the tool.