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How to…

Quick start

Grab a IRC client and connect to irc.velatus.net, port 6697. Some IRC clients, like mIRC (Windows), require a plus sign (+) before the port (+6697), to use IRCS (TLS/SSL) capabilities. Refer to specific client’s documentation, to add networks/servers, configure nicknames etc.

IRC commands are universal, however some IRC clients may add their own, that are specific to the client and are affecting only the software. Commands always start with “/” prefix (/command). We strongly recommend entering all the sensitive commands, that contain passwords or other private information in the status window of the IRC client. Avoid such commands on channels and even in private message windows. One of such important commands are /ns identify <password> (after you have registered your nickname), which identifies you to the Network Service NickServ. You can either use alias /ns or /msg NickServ identify <password> or to make sure, that you are messaging the official Network Service, not some Network Services impersonator, that is trying to steal users passwords – /msg NickServ@services.velatus.net identify <password>.

Connection to the server is usually made by entering /server <server address> <port> 
So to connect to Velatus server you would enter /server irc.velatus.net 6697
On most popular Windows client mIRC, you enter /server irc.velatus.net +6697

Once you’re connected, you can use /join #channelname to join a channel. To get a list of available channels, use /list, but you can make your own, if it does not exist.

On channel, you will see a list of users. Some of those users will have special characters, like “@”, “%” or “+” in front of their nicknames. Those are channel operators, channel half-operators and voiced users. Channel operators can change channel topics, chage channel modes and kick and ban other users on channel. Voiced users (voices) are trusted users, who have a say about channel doings, but they cannot kick or ban anyone. They are also able to speak in channel, when mode  +m/+M (moderated) is set on a channel or they are banned, while still on channel.

You do not have to join a channel though. You can just use /msg (alias for /privmsg) to send a private message to someone, who is also connected to Velatus.

To change your nickname, type /nick <newnick>. If you are a channel operator, you can use /kick <nickname> and channel mode commands, like /mode +b <hostmask> to ban, multiple modes used in ome command, like /mode #channelname +nt (no external messages from outside the channel without joining it and only operators may change the channel topic).

In addition to channel modes, there are also user modes. For an example, you can set a mode +i on yourself (/mode <your nickname> +i) to stay invisible on server. It means, if users do not know your exact nickname, they will not see that you are connected to the server, while using /who and /names commands outside the channel. However, they will obviously see you, if they are on same channel as you. This mode is on automatically, upon connecting to server.

You can unset all modes by entering /mode <#channel> -<mode> or /mode <your nickname> -<mode>

One of the most important user modes on Velatus is +x, which masks your real hostname/IP. Every Velatus user has this mode also turned on automatically, upon connecting to server. However, if you feel confident, adventurous or just want to show off your fancy host, you can unset the usermode x by /mode <your nickname> -x

To just display currently active user or channel modes, use /mode <nickname> or /mode <#channelname> .

List of IRC commands is available below.

IRC clients

irssi (Text based, macOS, *nix, Windows (Cygwin))

WeeChat (Text based, Linux, BSD, OS X, GNU Hurd, Windows (Cygwin) )

Quassel IRC (GUI, macOS, *nix, Windows)

HexChat (GUI, Linux, Windows)

mIRC (GUI, Nagware, Windows)

Or use our WebIRC, which is web-based and can be used via your browser.

IRC commands

/admin  shows information about the server administration/staff
/away  sets or removes your away status
/credits  displays server or software credits
/cycle  parts and immediately rejoins a channel
/dccallow  manages who is allowed to send you dcc requests
/invite  invites a user to join a channel
/ison  checks whether specific nicknames are online
/join  joins a channel
/kick  removes a user from a channel
/knock  requests an invite to a locked channel
/license  displays the server or software license
/links  lists all servers linked to the network
/list  shows a list of available channels
/lusers  displays statistics about users and servers on the network
/map  shows a map of the server network
/mode  changes or displays user or channel modes
/module  shows or manages server modules
/motd  displays the message of the day
/names  lists users in a channel
/nick  changes your nickname
/notice  sends a notice message to a user or channel
/part  leaves a channel
/ping  checks connection latency with a server or user
/pong  replies to a ping request
/privmsg  sends a private message to a user or channel
/quit  disconnects you from the server
/rules  displays the server rules
/setname  changes your realname/gecos field
/silence  blocks messages from specified users
/stats  shows server statistics
/time  displays the server’s local time
/topic  views or changes a channel’s topic
/userhost  returns information about a user’s hostmask
/userip  returns the ip address of a user
/version  shows the server software version
/vhost  requests or activates a virtual host
/watch  monitors when specific users connect or disconnect
/who  lists users matching a pattern
/whois  shows detailed information about a user
/whowas  shows information about a nickname that recently quit