The Official THF IRC Server

10:58 AM

Connecting to the THF IRC Server

Step 1: Choosing your client

The first thing you need to connect to an irc server/channel is a working IRC client. Some browsers (like opera) even have built in irc clients, so you don't have to download anything if that's what you are using. If you've never heard of irc, take your pick from the list below. If you are familiar with irc, you realize that there are hundreds of great clients out there, and you've probably already made your choice, just move on to step 2.

Windows:
mIRC (what I recommend)

Pidgin

XChat (what I recommend)

XChat-WDK (FREE VERSION OF XCHAT FOR WINDOWS) (what I recommend)

Chatzilla (Firefox addon)

Mac:
Colloquy

XChat Aqua (what I recommend)

Linkinus

Pidgin

Chatzilla (Firefox addon)

Adium (Have not tried this, but some say it's good)

Linux:
Pidgin

XChat (what I recommend)

Chatzilla (Firefox addon)

If you like dat command line, irssi is nice as well.

Keep in mind, these are only suggestions and if you don't like the way these work, you are free to find your own using whatever search method you desire. My personal favorite is mirc on windows, xchat aqua on mac, and irssi on linux.

Step 2: Connecting to the Server and Channel

Now that you have your client, you can connect to the Halo 3 Forum server. I will use pidgin and mIRC as my example clients, but as I mentioned, you can use whatever client you feel comfortable with.

For those who already know how to connect, here is the info.

Server: irc.bjornhd.com
Port: 6667
SSL Port: 6697

ONE CLICK CONNECT:http://irc.bjornhd.com

For those of you new to irc, here is how to connect using any client.

This is a universal command that should work in any irc client. When the client starts up type

Code:

/server irc.bjornhd.com

If there is no text input box available, then you will most likely have to choose your server through your GUI. Here is how to do it with mIRC.

First, choose your nick (nickname)

I would suggest choosing something similar (if not identical) to your THF username so that you are easily identifiable.

Next you have to choose your server/network. Under mIRC options click Servers in the Connect category. Click add and add the Halo3Forum Server.

Now you can finally hit connect and join the server.

To join the THF channel type /join #thf or to list all available channels type /list. You should really familiarize yourself with the basics of irc before joining though, so you feel somewhat comfortable. Here's a good place to start: http://www.ircbeginner.com/ircinfo/ircc-commands.html

XChat Specific Instructions:

The first step is to add the server to the network list.

Navigate to XChat, Network List

Then Click Add to add a new network. Name it THF or whatever you want, that doesn't really matter. Also change your nick to something that resembles your THF username so you can be easily identified. Mine is Bjorn in this screenshot.

Select THF and click edit. The screen should look like this.

You can now close that and hit connect in the bottom right.

It's as easy as that. You probably want to add the main channel #thf to your favorites in the THF network settings so that you automatically connect to them, and if you've registered your nickname, you can also set up automatic identification on that same screen.

Mac Instructions:

I've tried out a few irc clients for mac, and have come to the conclusion that xchat aqua is the best one. Colloquy is actually pretty bad, by my taste. The instructions to connect are basically the same as xchat. If you have any questions setting that up, feel free to post in the thread. I might make separate tutorial for that, but I didn't to avoid redundancy.

Mibbit Specific Instructions (written by Colostomizer)

This is a tutorial for getting set up real nice with IRC in Mibbit. The first step is to register an account at Mibbit (with a unique, random password, for your own sake).

http://mibbit.com/signup.html

Once you're signed into your new Mibbit account, it's time to set up an IRC account for THF (this will automatically identify you when you join the server). Click on Account in the top right. Under My IRC accounts, put

"irc.bjornhd.com:+6697" for Server (this will use SSL, for security);
your THF user name for Nick (so people know who you are);
a password of your choosing for Pass (again, unique and random, for your own sake; keep this handy, you'll need it later);
"NickServ" for Auth Method;
and "UTF-8" for Charset.

Click Save changes. Next step is setting it up to auto-join channels when you log in. Click on Channels in the top right. Under My Channels, put

"irc.bjornhd.com:+6697" for Server (same as before);
"#thf" for Channels;
and make sure Auto connect is checked.

Click Save changes. Next step is registering your nick. Click on Account again in the top right. Under My IRC accounts, next to the entry you set up previously, click the link that says Connect now. This will open a tab titled TheHaloForum in the top left, which you should click on. In the text input box at the bottom, type "/ns register password email" (where password is the same as what you used when setting up the IRC account and email is whatever email address you want to use).

Look through the rest of the options in Prefs at the top right and make changes to your liking. If you're using Google Chrome, you can enable desktop notifications, which are very handy. Click on Logout in the top right and then log back in. After a couple seconds, you should see TheHaloForum tab open up again (there should be a message from NickServ at the bottom of this tab that says, "Password accepted - you are now recognized."), and then another tab titled #thf (click on this one to start chatting).

In the latest versions of Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome, you can right click on your Mibbit tab and pin it. This will minimize the tab down to just the icon, prevent you from accidentally closing it, and automatically open it whenever you open your browser. If you also tell Mibbit to remember you when logging in, the entire process will be automated for you. Just open your browser, and you'll find yourself in your THF IRC channels, identified and ready to chat. Let me know if you have any problems with this tutorial.

Step 3: Registering you nickname (optional)

Once you join the server, I recommend registering your nickname so that it is secure, this way, nobody else will be able to use it. If there is an issue concerning nickname registration you can post it in the thread, PM me, or send me a message over aim and I will take care of it. It's pretty simple, but not required to chat. Just type

Code:

/msg nickserv register password email

When you connect from now on, you have to identify with nickserv, you can do this easily with aliases in mIRC or with buddy pounces on pidgin. You can even write scripts to identify yourself if you are so inclined. All you have to do is type

Code:

/msg nickserv identify password

and you should be set.

Configuring Highlights:

You want to make sure that you have notifications properly configured, so if someone is trying to get your attention they can just say your nick, or whatever custom word you choose (I chose bjorn for example), and you will be notified. It's different for each program, but look into it. It's a must have for irc.

SSL Update:

The server now supports ssl. In short, it allows you to connect securely using encryption, so if anyone tries to sniff those packets, they will be thwarted

. In XChat you can just connect on port 6697 and check the Use SSL box, as well as accepting invalid certificates. If you want to use ssl for another client, you are probably already familiar with what it is and I won't go into detail with setting it up. Google can also be your friend. Enjoy the security

.

Hostmasks: On most irc servers (like freenode) your IP is publicly available to anyone who wants to /whois you, or even in your join/part messages in channels. On my server I have automatic host masking enabled, but I can take it a step further. All mods can have the vhost Moderator@TheHaloForum.com, admins have Admin@TheHaloForum.com, and Exclusive have Exclusive@TheHaloForum.com. If members want a neat hostmask they can have Member@TheHaloForum.com as well. All you have to do is type !vhost in your respective channel (main chat, exclusive chat, staff chat) and you'll get the command to type to get your vhost.

GuiltySpark: GuiltySpark is an irc bot I wrote in perl. He really only does a few things right now. He can set your vhost (as explained above) or he can show you the ten most recent posts on the forum with the !new command. If you specify a number after !new, that's how many recent posts he'll show instead of 10. Can be from 1-10.

The purpose of this IRC server is to serve as a place where people can talk to staff immediately if they you have any questions, get to know people better, and have fun. Right now the server is my domain, but if Z or h2admin can make it so that irc.thehaloforum.com resolves to that IP then you could type that into your client instead, for now, this is it. Enjoy!

My current policy for giving voice/ops is that I give voice to all ex members (they even have their own private channel) and ops to all mods (they have access to all channels, can ban, etc). If you want voice or ops and are an ex/mod you need to register your nick before I can do anything. See you on the server =).

IMPORTANT EDIT: I'm not sure if I can get Z to update the dns a second time, so just use irc.bjornhd.com to connect instead of irc.thehaloforum.com. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Server Costs: Currently the server costs me $7/month. It really isn't that much, but if you would like to donate you can do so via paypal to bjorn_248@yahoo.com. You'll get voice in the #thf channel for donating and I will give you a custom vhost. Thanks. Click here to donate.

IRC was so confusing for me the first time I used it.

But then I learned. And it was better.

Waaaaaaaaayyyyyy confusing.

sticky icky icky

It's OFFICIAL.

There should be more details for people,like me, that never heard of this.

07:45 AM

Just stick with it guys, it really isn't as confusing as it comes across as the first time you use it. I already used mIRC before, being a loner in the channel right now having a nice chat to the bot.