- This guide uses screenshots from the Linux build of XChat 2.8.4. The program may look slightly different on your computer.
XChat is a popular IRC client for many different operating systems, including Microsoft Windows and most Linux distributions. It is also available for Mac OS X as "XChat-Aqua", but is out-of-date -- Mac users should look into a different client.
Download and installation[]
Linux users only have one choice -- the official version. They should get XChat through their preferred means of installation.
Windows users have two choices: they can install a free, but unofficial copy of XChat or pay US$20 for the official version. XChat is open source software, licensed under the GNU General Public License. This software license ensures that the source code is available to all, but does not restrict software from being sold for a price. The developers of XChat decided to charge for the Windows version, citing the extra time and difficulties they ran into in order to maintain a Windows version. However, since the source code was publicly available, other developers have since compiled their own "builds" of XChat. Using an unofficial version of XChat is not akin to pirating software; the source code to XChat is freely available to the public. Please take note that this guide will work for all current versions of XChat.
Now, Step 1: Download and install either an official or unofficial build of XChat.
Setup[]
If you ran into an trouble during installation, it is beyond the scope of this guide. Please refer to either the XChat documentation or the XChat forum for help.
Step 2:[]
- Click XChat --> Network List, should the Network List not automatically open.
- This will bring up the window you see on the right; fill it in with the proper information.
- "Nick name" is how you will appear to others in the chat; think of it as a screen name or a user name. This is commonly referred to as simply a "nick".
- It is recommended, but not required, that you use the name in the chat as you do on the wiki or the forums.
- "Nick name" is how you will appear to others in the chat; think of it as a screen name or a user name. This is commonly referred to as simply a "nick".
- "Second choice" and "Third choice" are backups in case your nick is in use. This happens sometimes if you disconnect and reconnect to the server quickly, before it notices you have disconnected.
- "User name" is slightly more complicated. When you join an IRC channel, the channel will announce Nick (~User_name@hostmask) has joined the channel. Using the example information, the channel would announce vincent (~vincent@123.456.789.0) has joined the channel. You can enter anything you want here.
- If you are worried about your IP address being exposed, we'll cover how to hide it later on.
- "Real name" is an optional field that will only appear should a user preform a "whois" on you. Unless you are comfortable with strangers knowing your full name, either leave it blank or enter bogus information here.
- If you'd like, check the button near the bottom of the window that is marked "Skip network list on startup" to prevent seeing this window every time you open XChat.
Get Connected[]
If Gamesurge is already on your network list, you can move on to the next section.
Step 3:[]
- To add Gamesurge (the IRC server that Lostpedia's chat is located on) to XChat's network list, click the "Add" button. If this confuses you, please look at this screen shot.
- Name the new server Gamesurge.
- Select your newly created Gamesurge and then hit the "Edit" button to it's right, underneath the "Add" button. The window to the right will open.
- Once again, click the "Add" button.
- Replace "newserver/6667" with irc.gamesurge.net.
- Optionally, check "Auto connect to this network at startup".
- This will cause XChat to automatically connect to Gamesurge when the program is opened.
- Optionally, enter #lostpedia in the box titled "Channels to join".
- This will have the Lostpedia channel automatically open whenever you connect to Gamesurge.
Welcome![]
That's all there is to it! Get acquainted by reading through the general chat help. Information on basic IRC commands and more advanced things, such as hiding your IP address are covered there. Should you require help with something mentioned in this guide, please leave a message on this talk page. Optionally, you can continue on with the Automation guide.
Automation[]
Dedicated IRC clients like XChat offer the ability to automatically run commands when they connect to a server. An example would be the authentication command. Rather than typing /authserv auth nick password every time you open XChat, you can automate it.
Refer to the screenshots above should you require a visual aid.
Step 4:[]
- Open the window from Step 3 (XChat --> Network List --> [Gamesurge] --> Edit)
- In the box labeled "Connect Command", enter the command you wish to automate on join, without the preceding slash. If you wanted to automate the command /say Hello, World!, simply enter say Hello, World!
- Need to enter more than one command to be automated? Create a text file with one command per line, including the preceding slash. In the "Connect Command" box, enter LOAD -e C:\path\to\my_file.txt. An example file that would authenticate and then mask your IP would be:
/authserv auth nick password /mode nick +x
Of course, replace the credentials with your own.