[Bangalore-pm] Getting on IRC, and why it is important!

Rohit Basu rohitbasu77 at gmail.com
Fri Jun 14 10:02:00 PDT 2013 

checking


On Fri, Jun 14, 2013 at 10:23 PM, MrPritishunix . <pritishunix at gmail.com>wrote:

> Thanks a ton rohit for your effort. Talk to you soon guys..
>
>
> On Fri, Jun 14, 2013 at 10:18 PM, Rohit Basu <rohitbasu77 at gmail.com>wrote:
>
>> Dear All Perl Mongers,
>>
>> To make the Bangalore PM alive and active again,i think we need to know
>> each other and start a discussion some where.
>> Yes need some of your time to start. Some of us think to plan a
>> introductory charting tomorrow afternoon by 1:00 PM (+5:30 GMT)
>> The channel is already active and created by Yaakov. We will use that
>> only to have our formal discussion.
>> The channel is http://perlcommunity.org/irc/bangalore.pm/
>>
>> Please make your input.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Jun 14, 2013 at 10:04 PM, Jagadeesh N. Malakannavar <
>> mnjagadeesh at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I do not see anyone on #bangalore.pm? is there any special settings
>>> needed for irssi?
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>>
>>> On Fri, Jun 14, 2013 at 4:40 PM, Ya'akov Sloman <
>>> yaakov at perlfoundation.org> wrote:
>>>
>>>> *In this email:*
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>    - Getting Started with IRC
>>>>    - IRC Clients
>>>>    - Basic IRC Command Reference
>>>>    - IRC Networks and Connection Details
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> *Hello, Indian Perl Mongers.*
>>>>
>>>> I wanted to take a moment to encourage you to join the #bangalore.pmIRC channel on the MagNet IRC network.  IRC is the most common way to
>>>> create a cohesive community in the Perl (and F/OSS) world.  It is
>>>> lightweight, immediate, and highly interactive. (The URI to access the
>>>> channel is irc://irc.perl.org/#bangalore.pm  If you have a handler
>>>> configured for the irc:// schema, clicking that link, or pasting it into
>>>> your browser might work automagically)
>>>>
>>>> Many of the people you have heard of in the perl community are
>>>> regularly available on IRC, and many of the projects you use and are
>>>> interested in have channels there.
>>>>
>>>> For a group like Bangalore.pm, IRC is an important way to keep the
>>>> enthusiasm going and coordinate activities.  It is also a very practical
>>>> source for help and a way to help others.
>>>>
>>>> There is a *bit* of a learning curve, but not much, really.  A little
>>>> effort and a little patience will get you great results.  Let me run down
>>>> the basics for you, and get you started
>>>>
>>>> *IRC Clients*
>>>> The IRC protocol allows groups and individuals to pass messages in
>>>> realtime.  It even allows direct client-to-client connections and file
>>>> transfer.  To use all this you need an IRC client.  There are several to
>>>> choose from, but I will only cover five options in this email to give an
>>>> idea of the range.  I can recommend any of these options at effective, and
>>>> with the exception of the quick-start web page I will talk about first, any
>>>> can be used as your "permanent" solution.
>>>>
>>>> IRC on the Web
>>>> There are several options for using IRC with your web browser, the one
>>>> I will discuss here is Mibbit (http://mibbit.com/).  This is because
>>>> Mibbit is quite good, and this email is already going to be long enough!
>>>>
>>>> *A Quick Start*
>>>> To help you get started quickly, I have set up a Mibbit applet
>>>> dedicated to connecting you properly.  You can find it at
>>>> http://perlcommunity.org/irc/bangalore.pm  This is certainly the
>>>> easiest way to connect if you are new to IRC.  When you visit the page, you
>>>> will see an iframe with the applet in it.  It will generate a random
>>>> nickname for you.  *Please replace this with a nickname that
>>>> identifies you.*
>>>>
>>>> Your nickname must be unique to the network.  You can use whatever
>>>> you'd like to identify yourself.  Your name, some combination of first and
>>>> last, some sort of autonym (self-given name).  This "nick" will be your
>>>> identity to the IRC world.  You can change it, but think about what you'd
>>>> like to be known as and try to stick to it.  It gets confusing to others if
>>>> you change your nick often.  If you forget, or want to change nicks while
>>>> connected, all IRC clients support the "nick" command in the input box.
>>>>  Just type:
>>>>
>>>> /nick <your chosen nickname>
>>>>
>>>> and hit enter.  The client will notify the server to change your nick.
>>>>  If it is already in use, you will be notified.  On the MagNet network,
>>>> where we have our channel, you cannot "register" a nickname, so you might
>>>> accidentally use a nick someone else uses.
>>>>
>>>> If you get a private message saying "hey you are using my nick", please
>>>> be polite and choose a new one.  If you show up one day and find someone
>>>> else is using yours, please politely ask if it is their regular nick, and
>>>> if not, if they would mind changing.
>>>>
>>>> On a network like freenode (irc.freenode.com) the server allows
>>>> registration of nicknames and this isn't a problem. On MagNet, it is a
>>>> matter of polite convention.  The technical solution is to create a *persistent
>>>> connection* which is important for other reasons, and which I will
>>>> mention below.
>>>>
>>>> *Using Mibbit Long-term*
>>>> Some people like Mibbit as a permanent solution.  Visit
>>>> http://mibbit.com/ and sign up for an account.  This will allow
>>>> persistent configuration and make using it easier.  The full Mibbit client
>>>> is better than the applet above.  The weakest link is the lack of a
>>>> persistent connection to IRC, but that can be handled by a proxy.  (If you
>>>> are interested in proxies, contact me directly and I will help.)
>>>>
>>>> Mibbit is quite complete as an IRC client and is popular.  However, the
>>>> advantages of a dedicated client over a web-based one make me suggest that
>>>> Mibbit is not the ideal option for most people.
>>>>
>>>> GUI Clients
>>>> Dedicated Clients offering graphical front ends can help make starting
>>>> with IRC easier.  In the Perl community, command line clients are quite
>>>> prevalent but there is no reason to make it more difficult if you find GUIs
>>>> more comfortable
>>>>
>>>> *mIRC for Windows*
>>>> If you are running Windows, mIRC (http://www.mirc.com/) is the obvious
>>>> choice for a GUI client. (If you are *not* running Windows, or prefer
>>>> a F/OSS solution, skip this section.) mIRC is *very* mature, having
>>>> been around for more than a decade.  It is very full-featured and widely
>>>> popular.  For this reason, there are many resources about getting started
>>>> using mIRC on the web.  I am not sure of the current pricing model for
>>>> mIRC, but you can download it free to try it in any case.  The important
>>>> facts to help you get started are:
>>>>
>>>> Network: MagNet
>>>> Server: irc.perl.org
>>>> Channel: bangalore.pm
>>>>
>>>> Windows users should have little trouble using mIRC once you've
>>>> untangled the IRC-specific bits of configuration.  mIRC is highly
>>>> scriptable, though in a proprietary language.  I personally used mIRC for
>>>> more than a decade before switching the the Irssi command line client (
>>>> *see below*) so I have no problem recommending it.
>>>>
>>>> *To maintain a persistent connection, you will need a proxy or a
>>>> machine that is always online.*
>>>>
>>>> *XChat (Multiplatform)*
>>>> XChat (http://xchat.org/) is a very popular client that started off as
>>>> a Linux-targeted X-Window client.  At this point, it will run under Windows
>>>> as well as pretty much any Linux/UNIX variant.  It is highly scriptable,
>>>> and does use Perl as a scripting language.  It's a bit harder to get
>>>> started with than mIRC, but users who prefer XChat to mIRC have strong
>>>> opinions about it.  The same details are needed to get you started:
>>>>
>>>> Network: MagNet
>>>> Server: irc.perl.org
>>>> Channel: bangalore.pm
>>>>
>>>> You can find help with XChat very easily, on the web and on IRC itself.
>>>>
>>>> *To maintain a persistent connection, you will need a proxy or a
>>>> machine that is always online.*
>>>>
>>>> *Irssi (Multiplatform)*
>>>> Irssi is the client I use.  It is a CLI (Command Line Interface,
>>>> text-based) client. I use it on a VPS under screen, and with some shell
>>>> scripting magic, whenever I open my MacBook Air, the sessions are restored.
>>>>  Irssi is without a doubt the client with the steepest learning curve here.
>>>>  On the other hand, once you've learned it, it's fast and easy.  There are
>>>> other CLI clients, and if you find the text environment to your liking, you
>>>> can look around for other options.
>>>>
>>>> Because using Irssi with screen (or tmux) for persistence is fairly
>>>> technical, I will just run down the basics for people who already have some
>>>> familiarity with using the *nix shell environment.  Screen is a program
>>>> that allows you to have a program run, then "detach" from it and have it
>>>> continue running.  Later, you can "reattach" and continue your session as
>>>> if you never left.  All of the content will be there.  The basic invocation
>>>> is:
>>>>
>>>> screen -S <session name>
>>>>
>>>> This provides a screen session with a name (making reattachment
>>>> easier).  You will see a new shell prompt where you will start Irssi:
>>>>
>>>> irssi -c irc.perl.org -n <your nick>
>>>>
>>>> Irssi will connect and set your nickname.  At the Irssi prompt:
>>>>
>>>> /join #bangalore.pm
>>>>
>>>> And you are in!  At this point you can either explicitly detach your
>>>> session using CTRL + A then D (CTRL + A is the screen command key) or
>>>> simply disconnect (intentionally or unintentionally).  Later if you want to
>>>> reattach, just ssh to your shell and execute:
>>>>
>>>> screen -X <session name>
>>>>
>>>> Using the -X flag means that you can have multiple connections at the
>>>> same time, which is convenient if you have more than one machine and want
>>>> to connect from more than one of them.
>>>>
>>>> As I said, Irssi is the most difficult of these options to get started
>>>> with, but in my opinion, it is worth the trouble.  It's a different view of
>>>> how to get things done than the GUI clients, and you might think of it as
>>>> the vim (or emacs!) or IRC clients.
>>>>
>>>> *Basic Command Reference*
>>>> To get started with IRC you only need a few commands.  All the clients
>>>> support typing these commands into the input box.  Practice makes perfect.
>>>>
>>>> *Changing your Nick: /nick <nick>*
>>>> Different networks have different limits on length of nickname.  If
>>>> your nick doesn't change, check the status window of your client.  You may
>>>> find that it is too long or contains an illegal character ("erroneous
>>>> nickname").  The other possibility is someone else is already using it.
>>>>
>>>> *Joining a Channel: /join #<channel name>*
>>>> The pound sign/hash (#) is part of the IRC convention.  Some clients
>>>> will assume it, and put it in for you, but you can be sure by including it.
>>>>  Channels are like "rooms" but don't call them that.  They are channels.
>>>>  Channels can be "invite only" in which case someone in the channel must
>>>> use /invite <your nick> to allow you to join.  You might also be banned
>>>> from a channel.  This can be in error, or because a ban mask (e.g.:
>>>> *!*@*.in) was made very broad.  Don't take it personally.  If you can find
>>>> someone to help you who is on the channel, that's good.  But, keep in mind,
>>>> IRC is not *always* the friendliest place.  People are like people
>>>> everywhere, different from each other.  Of course, you will *always* be
>>>> welcome on #bangalore.pm (unless you act like one of those other
>>>> people!).
>>>>
>>>> *Sending a Private Message: /msg <nick>*
>>>> This command allows you to send a message that only a single user can
>>>> see.  In some clients it will open a new window for the conversation.  Be
>>>> careful to make sure if you *think* you are speaking privately you
>>>> really are, and to the right person!
>>>>
>>>> *Creating a Private Channel: /query <nick>*
>>>> This command creates a new tab or window with a session for private
>>>> chat.  It is otherwise like /msg, just intended to be persistent.  The same
>>>> warnings about being certain your private talk is private and to the person
>>>> you think apply.
>>>>
>>>> *Finding out about a Person: /whois <nick>*
>>>> This will give you some information about the connection from the
>>>> specified nick.  It can be helpful but also may not be.  It might appear in
>>>> the channel window, the status window, or somewhere else depending on the
>>>> client.
>>>>
>>>> There are many other commands which you can learn as you need them.
>>>>  These will get you started.  In GUI clients, right-clicking on something
>>>> will get you some of these options, or there may be menus to access them.
>>>>  Under the hood, these options are doing what is described above.
>>>>
>>>> *IRC Networks*
>>>> There are *many* IRC networks.  Each has it's own strengths and
>>>> weaknesses.  A network is one or more servers running the IRC daemon, and
>>>> linked together.  Any channels created are shared among the servers.
>>>>  Connecting to the generic server name (e.g.: irc.perl.org) will
>>>> provide you with one of the several servers in a round-robin fashion.  I
>>>> will only mention three networks, but you will see in the clients that
>>>> there are dozens.  These three should be more than enough unless you have
>>>> some special need.
>>>>
>>>> *MagNet*
>>>> MagNet (irc.perl.org) is the closest thing the Perl community has to
>>>> an "official" IRC network.  Many projects on CPAN host IRC channels on the
>>>> network.  This is where I established the Bangalore.pm since it is a Perl
>>>> community group.  The channels of interest on this network are:
>>>>
>>>>    - #bangalore.pm
>>>>    - #perl-help A friendly help channel
>>>>    - #perl This is a "perl hackers' channel", it is *not* a help
>>>>    channel.  Join and read before talking!
>>>>    - #<cpan project> You might find your favorite module or framework
>>>>    here.
>>>>
>>>> *Freenode*
>>>> Freenode (irc.freenode.net) is a network dedicated to F/OSS projects.
>>>>  It is very popular, and the Perl channel on it is quite good.  It is worth
>>>> checking out.  All clients can now connect to multiple networks so once you
>>>> get used to MagNet, you can add Freenode.  The perl channel is #perl, and
>>>> it is "friendlier" than #perl on MagNet because it is a help channel.
>>>>
>>>> *OFTC*
>>>> OFTC (irc.oftc.net) was started as an alternative to Freenode.  Some
>>>> (non-perl) F/OSS projects and interesting vendors (e.g.: Linode VPS) are
>>>> hosted on it.  Try it out once you are more adept.
>>>>
>>>> So, get on IRC, today.  In fact, *now*!  It is a key part of most Perl
>>>> groups, and really helps to keep the communication and enthusiasm flowing.
>>>>  I am also here to help however I can.  I am very excited about Perl in
>>>> India today.  I see a lot of smart, enthusiastic people with a great
>>>> attitude.  Let's make India a center of Perl excellence and an example to
>>>> other regions about how to do Perl community right!
>>>>
>>>> Namaste,
>>>> Ya'akov
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Ya'akov Sloman
>>>> Community Advocate
>>>> The Perl Foundation
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>  _______________________________________________
>>>> Bangalore-pm mailing list
>>>> Bangalore-pm at pm.org
>>>> http://mail.pm.org/mailman/listinfo/bangalore-pm
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Jagadeesh N.Malakannavar
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Bangalore-pm mailing list
>>> Bangalore-pm at pm.org
>>> http://mail.pm.org/mailman/listinfo/bangalore-pm
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Regards
>> Rohit Basu
>> +919642907192
>> +919433248393
>> Coming together is a beginning.Keeping together is progress.Working
>> together is success
>>
>>
>


-- 
Regards
Rohit Basu
+919642907192
+919433248393
Coming together is a beginning.Keeping together is progress.Working
together is success
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