Team Chevelle Chat

Internet Relay Chat
IRC allows you to 'chat' via your keyboard over the internet using most any basic computer and most all modem speeds provide acceptable performance.
You will require an IRC Program (not a web browser) in order to use this popular service. mIRC is a popular program.

To connect use the following information:
IRC SERVER: chat.chevelles.com
Port number is:6667
Once connected you should join the channel #teamchevelle by merely filling in the box that says 'Join Channel'. If anyone is there you will see a list of names.

Do not try to go to the address with your web browser, it will not work. It only works with an IRC client (see above for software).

Special Thanks to TC Member Matt Smith for operating the IRC Server
Once connected you should add the channel #teamchevelle by merely filling in the box that says 'Join Channel'. If anyone is there you will see a list of names.

About this nickname thing:
You may log on with most any nickname you choose and to get started we recommend not being concerned with a 'cool handle'. First things first, find your way in and check it out, then after you are familiar with the system choose your permanent 'nickname'. Once you do have a permanent nickname you will have to verify it when you log in. After logging in all you have to do is type /ns register . Your password is what you chose when you registered your nick with nickserv. If your nick isn't registered, you won't have to identify, but then you will be unable to use some of the more advanced services. No big deal at first, but as you become familiar with IRC, you may have more use for them.
Having trouble registering a nickname? Click here and follow the on screen instructions.
For people to log on to the channel, once they're on irc.webmaster.com they simply type /join #teamchevelle

Logging on :

The setup menu also has several other items such as entering your chosen nickname and your real name (if you so choose).
*Note: It makes it easier for other people on the list to know who they're talking to if you enter your real name here.

Joining the Team Chevelle channel:
Once you're on chat.chevelles.com, simply type: "/join #teamchevelle" (leave out the quotation marks)
This will bring you straight to the channel. If you pull a list of channels, (below), and you don't see #teamchevelle on that list, don't worry, you can still join the channel. You'll be the only one there, but if you stick around for a little while, someone else may join. You can pull a list and chat somewhere else while you're waiting. There's a button at the top of the mIRC screen for tiling the windows so you can watch more than one channel at a time.
Getting a list of other channels:
To get a list of all channels, just type: "/list" be warned, it's a BIG list and use caution if you are new at this. Some channels may not be suitable for anyone.
"It seems to take forever for people to answer me."
You or them may be lagging. That means that it's taking a while for what you type to get to them because of "bottlenecking" or whatever reason. An easy way to find out if someone is lagging is to "ping" them. You just type: "/ping ". For example if It's taking a while to get answers from Bud, I'll type "/ping Bud". (No quotation marks or period). Then I'll get a "ping response" in my status window. It will tell me, in seconds, how long it takes for a signal to go from me to Bud and back again.
If it seems like everyone's lagging, it's probably just me. I can ping the entire channel: "/ping #Chevelle" and this will give me response times on everyone. I find that sometimes it helps if I'm lagging to log off and try another server.

Buttons at the top of the screen, left to right:
These are the buttons on mIRC version 5.02. If yours is an earlier version, the buttons may vary slightly, but they're basically the same. You can just point your mouse at any button and let it linger for a moment to see the name and/or function of the button.
"connect": This is to connect to the IRC server. I usually do this from the Setup window which opens when I open mIRC. I seldom use this one.
"disconnect": This one will disconnect me from the IRC server.
"setup": This is the setup menu which allows you to set up your software. I wouldn't recommend changing anything other than the IRC Servers menu. (The one with the servers and your nickname, etc.) mIRC will usually set up the rest of the parameters for you.
"general options": This one will allow you to custom program your mIRC to your own tastes. Items such as the URL catcher are nice. It will automatically log any URL that someone types in on IRC. You can set it up to where you double click on the URL in the URL window and it will open your browser and take it there.
"channels folder": This is so you can put your favorite channels in a folder to make it just a point and click to join the channels.
"list channels": This one allows you to pull up a list of channels from the Server with user specified parameters. For example: Channels with at least 3 but not more than 15 users.
"alias definitions": This allows you to perform long commands with just a few keystrokes. For example, I use this to identify myself to nickserv when I log on. (This is only necessary if your nick is registered) I simply type "/id" and it sends to the server: "/msg nickserv identify ". It saves alot of time and tired fingers.
"pop-up menus": This one allows you to make your own custom "pop ups" so you can execute different commands with just the use of your mouse. Some pop ups are pre programmed. Just right click in a channel window to see what they are. Programming your own is kind of advanced, so I wouldn't recommend playing with them right away.
"remote scripts": This one is also advanced. You'll know what they are by the time you're ready to write them.
"finger an address": This is to find out more about a user. You can finger them and it will give you more detailed info than a simple "/whois Bud"
"Online Timer": This just toggles your clock timer on and off so you can choose whether to keep track of your time on IRC or not.
"Colours": This one allows you to make custom screen colours, etc.
"DCC Send": DCC means "Direct Client to Client", which establishes a direct connection to the user of your choice. This will allow you to send files to other users from your computer. I use it to send pics of my Elky to other users.
"DCC Chat": This is useful when you want to have a private conversation with someone and you're lagged on normal IRC. It costs bandwidth, so some servers will only allow you to DCC Chat for a certain length of time.
"DCC Options": This is self explanatory when you open the window. CAUTION: Never set "auto accept" dcc chat or send requests. This can get you a virus, trojan, or worm from a cracker. Very dangerous setting. Don't accept any DCC from anyone whom you don't know and trust.
"Notify List": This is something that you can set up in "General Options" so it will let you know when one or more of your friends is already online or when they come online.
"URL List": This is where you double click to have your URL catcher open your browser. This list will contain any URL's that have come up in any part of your screen while you've been on IRC. It has to be programmed under "general options" also, so it will know where to find your browser.
"Tile Windows": Self explanatory. If you don't know what it does, click it. It's perfectly safe. It will let you watch as many channels as you can handle at one time.
"Cascade Windows": Stacks them on top of one another just as the button shows.
"Arrange Icons": Just what it says. I like 'em just the way they are.
"Help": It's a lifesaver! Just as the button shows. The later versions have a very good Help section. Try it when you have questions. It can usually answer them for you.
"About mIRC": It tells you what version you have, and tells you how to register the software and other useful information. Remember, mIRC is shareware. To pay for the development costs and further development, it's good to register it if you like it.
That's all the buttons at the top of my screen.
At the bottom of the screen are the buttons for any windows you have open and you'll see one pop up down there if someone sends you a message. Just click on it to see what it is.
To find out who a user is just type "/whois " For example, if I want to know who Bud really is and what other channels he's on I'll type: "/whois Bud" This will give me his name (if he put it in the setup), and where he's logged on from.

Additional comments by Matt on the new IRC Server
         As I'm sure most of you TC'ers know by now. I have put up an IRC server and opened it up to the TC community. Connection          information for the server is listed above. The following is a list of specific comments regarding the new server.
        Server rules and Message Of The Day (MOTD)
       The following is the MOTD and server rules for the new IRC server. PLEASE read and heed these        rules.   MINIMAL WARNINGS (usually 1) will be given for infractions before various forms of penalties are applied.
       The MOTD is current as of Sunday, June 29, 2003:
       1) Don't Annoy The OPs.
       2) If one of the ops catches anybody
           harassing others they will be subject to
           a kick or ban.
       3) Warez and/or file trading of any kind is
           strictly prohibited and leaves you
           subject to a channel and/or server ban.
          Also, please no porn or derogatory
          comments. The same penalty that is
          stated above applies to this as well.
       4) Please remember to Register with
          Nickserv!
          /msg Nickserv register <pass> <e-mail> Use the E-mail your ISP assigned you for this. Do not use a free account like Hotmail or          Yahoo for this becuase Nickserv will complain.
       5) Abuse of channel/server ops will NOT be
           tolerated AT ANY TIME. If I catch it
           occuring it will result in a prompt
           server ban.
      6) I must please ask people that they go
          through a server op if they want a
          new channel created. Having a server op
         create the channel will insure the
         safety and security of the users
         on the channel and server. Not following this rule will result
         in a local kill and possible server
         ban if infractions continue.
      7) Please ask a server op for permission
          if you wish to place a bot on any
         channel. Hostile bots are PROHIBITED.
         Failure to obtain permission from a
         server op or placing hostile bots on
         the server will result in a server ban
         for both you AND your bot.
         I will mention it again: PLEASE FOLLOW THESE RULES. I have already had to set 2 klines (not TC people) because of          serious rules infractions. I don't want the ban list getting any longer :).
Who the !@&^# is Ratbot?
       Ratbot is my server guard/logkeeper/entertainment bot. He's in the channel 24/7. He protects from excessive caps usage and various       forms of flooding. He also maintains detailed logs of every channel and provides some useful public commands. Here's the command list:
      !hangmanstart - starts a hangman game
      !seen <nick> - see if a particular user has been on the server
NickServ
      The server runs services (nickserv). This is used to ensure that only YOU can use your nick. There are 2 things you must do if       you are a new user: you must register your nick with Nickserv (see rule 4 in the MOTD) and you must identify to Nickserv. To do       this type in /msg nickserv identify <yourpass> Once you're registered with Nickserv you need only to perform the identify upon         connection to the IRC server.

      Well, I think that's it for right now. If there are any further questions you can either seek me out on IRC (ratman) or in the       forums.  You can also contact me via E-mail at ratman6@eartlink.net. This address is also in my forum profile. Have fun TC'ers.
Ratman - head server operator