Here is the relevant info for the IRC savvy.
- Server = chat.freenode.net
- Channel = #fanart.tv
1. Download Pidgin for your platform. When it's installed and open, you will have 2 windows:
- Buddy List
- Conversation Window (title of window changes depending on what tab is open)
- In the Buddy List window, go to..
- Accounts > Manage Accounts > Add
- Select IRC from the Protocol Dropdown
- Input the username you want
- Input chat.freenode.net as the server
- Save and close
- In the Buddy List window, go to..
- Buddies > Add Chat
- Select the freenode account you just created (if not already selected)
- Insert #fanart.tv as the channel
- Optional – Enable Autojoin when account connects
- Click Add Button (Now this channel will be added to your Buddy List)
- Double Click on the fanart.tv favorite you just made in your Buddy List or…
- Buddies > Join a Chat in the Buddy List Window or Conversation > Join a Chat in the Conversation Window.
- (Make sure to set the server to chat.freenode.net and the channel to #fanart.tv)
What's Next?
Well if you intend on joining often and don't want someone else to get your nickname, you should register with the server. This will protect your nickname for 90 days of inactivity. If you don't log in for more than 90 days, then the nickname becomes available for anyone to use.
To run commands in IRC, you talk to the IRC server. You type into the chat box as normal but you start the command with a special “switch” Most often this is the “/” or sometimes a “.“. So a simple command would look something like this:
Code: Select all
/nick mynickname
So to register your nick, follow the instructions here.
Well that's it for now.
Myself or someone else will be happy to help with further questions once you've made it to the channel. As promised, here is some further reading if you are new to IRC and want to learn more.
- IRC Help (This is pretty much the bible of all things IRC. Peek around or hit the Getting Started link)
If there is enough interest I will write another guide about configuring pidgin to automate some tasks like logging in with credentials, tips on usage, and masking your host.
Cheers