From: "Michael P. Nagel" Subject: IRC Stuff John, Here's the IRC article you requested. I'm not exactly sure if this is what you wanted, as it's rather lengthy (not quite a note to put at the top of a VWHQ topic. -- Mike -------------------------------- What is Internet Relay Chat (IRC?). Quite simply, it's a utility available to many — if not most — people who have access to the Internet to hold live discussions through their computers. In many ways, the process is similar to the use of ham-radios. One person sets up a discussion group — called a "channel" — providing a topic and description. Others who log into IRC can scan for topics of interest, or automatically "tune-in" to a channel which has a regular schedule. Once tuned into the channel, IRC users can see who else is in the channel and exchange messages typed into their computers. All the messages are transmitted to the other members of the channel and replies are entered and posted. And so it goes. All that's missing, perhaps thankfully, is "Breaker-breaker good buddy!" The IRC process opens up new realms of gaming potential, especially for those who suffer a dearth of opponents. By using IRC, players can set up games and play them in real time, instead of through e-mail or snail-mail. Utilities available through several of the IRC systems provide dice-rollers to those who don't trust each other enough to use the honor system. Players need only work out the logistical details of game complexity if necessary and supply their own pretzels. So how do you access IRC? Well, first of all you have to find out if you have access to the utility. If your internet provider offers point-to-point protocol (PPP) accounts, odds are that you have access to IRC. If you're not sure, check with your service provider. Next, you need an IRC "Client" which is a fancy name for a program which handles your IRC discussions. If your provider does not have one built in to its services (I believe that America On Line and CompuServe do, but I'm not 100% sure of this) you'll need to download a utility from the ‘net. Links are included in the VWHQ to do this: mIRC for IBM compatible users and [insert MAC utility here] for MAC compantible users. I'm a mIRC user so my examples will follow its usage. Regardless of which type of hardware you use, you should read the documentation which comes with the IRC Client software. Like the old Citizen-Band (CB) Radio craze of the 70s, when using IRC, you get to create a nickname by which you are known on the net. This can be anything from your name (no spaces and limited to ten characters) to something more bizarre. Note that only one person on the net can use a unique nickname, so you want to select something original. I go by the nickname "_DarkEye_" with the underscores (which I added because "DarkEye" is often used by somebody else). The Client software will keep track of your favorite nicknames, and will automatically select one that is available. Once you've installed the Client software, you're ready to roll. All you need is a Server connection. The Server is the hub through which all of your messages are sent. The Server you select may well be the most important decision you make when using IRC. The Internet is a massive network of interconnected servers. When sending messages, the closer you are to the other people in your channel, the faster your messages arrive. Therefore, it is very desirable — but not wholly necessary — that all the members of your channel be on the same Server. Another reason to be on the same server is the fact that the connections between the servers is not guaranteed, and unless you're on the same server, you run the risk of your Server being isolated from the rest of the net, thereby losing communication with others in the channel (a nasty network phenomenon called a "net split"). Below is a listing of DALnet servers (DALnet is one of several IRC networks) in alphabetical order. You will need to provide your Client software with the Server name, and one of the Port numbers. Server Ports Location Cin.dal.net 6667,7000 Illinois, US Davis.dal.net 6666,6667,7000 California, US Dragon.dal.net 6667,6668,7000 Utah, US Glass.dal.net 6667,7000 Ohio, US Groucho.dal.net 6667,7000 California, US Igc.dal.net 6665,6666,6667,7000 Florida, US Liberator.dal.net 6668,7000 Bristol, England MegaSoft.dal.net 6667,7000 Washington, US Mindijari.dal.net 6668,6669,7000 California, US Mis.dal.net 6667,7000 Kentucky, US Ohana.dal.net 6667,7000 Hawaii, US Phoenix.dal.net 6665,6666,6667,6668,6669,7000 Texas, US Rutgers.dal.net 6667,6668,6669,7000 New Jersey, US Skypoint.dal.net 6667,6668,7000 Minnesota, US Toronto.dal.net 7000 Ontario, Canada Uncc.dal.net 6667,7000 North Carolina, US Usd.dal.net 6667,7000 South Dakota, US Xyw.dal.net 6668,7000 Espoo, Finland Once you've logged into an IRC server, you just need to specify the name of the channel you wish to join, a word which is prefaced by a pound (#) symbol. Once you've selected a channel, you can start chatting with those already in it, or wait for others to arrive. That's it! The Virtual Wargamer's Headquarters IRC Channel: ConSim-IRC In an effort to ease the transition into wargame play via IRC, I've created a channel called #ConSim-IRC on the DALnet IRC network. This channel has been registered with this service and, assuming that the DALnet IRC utilities are up an running properly, it will always be available for use. IRC users can log into this channel to discuss various ConSim issues. The one thing which should not occur on the #ConSim-IRC channel is actual game play — you and your opponent(s) should set up your own channel for this. It is strongly advised that you use the Phoenix.dal.net server as listed above. Even though the channel is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the "official schedule" for the chat group is Wednesday nights from 9pm to 12am EST. I should be there to provide support and answer any questions you may have (and by way of a cheap endorsement, I'll also be in the HP Lovecraft channel: #Cthulhu if you're into the works of the master of horror fiction). Wargame Play through IRC For those willing to jump right into wargame play via IRC, here is the basic procedure to get set up (dealing with rules idiosyncracies notwithstanding): 1) Decide on a channel name for your game. If you want to play Krieg, for instance, you might want to call the channel "#KriegGame." 2) Each player should log into a mutually agreed upon Server from the list above. 3) Each player should join the selected channel (which will be automatically created with the first player attempts to log into it. 4) One of the players should "invite" the die-rolling utility (a "robot" called "nopps") to the channel by entering the following command: /invite nopps #channelname. Once nopps has arrived in your channel, a die can be rolled simply by entering a die type: 1d6, 1d10, 1d100, etc. Nopps will preface the resulting roll with the nickname of the person requesting the roll. 5) Play on! That's about all it takes to get playing on line. If you have any questions, please feel free to drop me a note. I hope to see you all on #ConSim-IRC! -- Mike Nagel (aka _DarkEye_) mpnagel@pluto.njcc.com