[[PageOutline]] This page describes how you can connect to a GENI channel (chat room) for real-time conversation and help about GENI. Currently we are using the Freenode IRC network (`irc.freenode.net`) to communicate. = Connecting to IRC = In order to connect to a channel you need to follow these steps: == 1. Download an IRC client == Most multiprotocol IM clients support IRC natively. GPO staffers have experience with [http://adium.im/ Adium] for MacOSX, [http://pidgin.im/ Pidgin] for Windows/Linux/MacOSX, and [http://irssi.org/ Irssi] for Linux. You can find a long list of IRC clients [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Internet_Relay_Chat_clients on wikipedia]. If you are new to IRC, see the [#UsingIRC Using IRC] section. There's also a web interface to Freenode IRC at http://webchat.freenode.net/ if you don't want to download a client. == 2. Connect to the freenode IRC network == Using your client, connect to `irc.freenode.net` with the nickname you would prefer to use. Help on connecting is available [http://freenode.net/using_the_network.shtml here]. You don't need to register your nickname in order to use freenode, but it ensures that you can use the same nickname every time you connect. Per [http://freenode.net/faq.shtml#nicksetup], the one-time process to permanently register your current nickname is: {{{ /msg nickserv register }}} Use a valid e-mail address, since freenode will send a confirmation message to the address you list. (Note: this sends a private message to nickserv; it will not be displayed on the channel you are looking at.) Once you have a registered nickname, on subsequent logins, send: {{{ /msg nickserv identify }}} At present, GENI discussion channels are open, that is, you do not need a registered freenode account to join a channel. == 3. Join a channel == In IRC, join a channel using: {{{ /join }}} The primary GENI discussion channel on freenode is named `#geni`. = Active GENI channels = The following IRC channels are in active use by GENI: * `#geni`: General discussion not covered by any other channel * `#geni-openflow`: Discussion of OpenFlow experimentation and operations in GENI * `#geni-monitoring`: Discussion of operational monitoring in GENI * `#geni-stitching`: Discussion of stitching changes/issues = Using IRC = Your IRC client should have a box into which you can type text. Most things you type will appear in the active channel or conversation window you are looking at. The `/` character is special in IRC. If you type a line starting with `/`, most IRC clients will interpret it as a command, and either execute that command or pass it along to the IRC server to which you are connected. Here are a few IRC commands which may be helpful. Some IRC clients may not interpret these commands in this way, but most will. || '''Command''' || '''What it does''' || || `/join ` || Join an IRC channel. Your client will probably open a new window or tab for the new channel || || `/msg ` || Send a private message to a user. This will not open a new window or tab, but the message you send will go to the user you name, not to the channel which is visible in your client at the time. || || `/query ` || Open a new window or tab for a private conversation with a user. This does not actually send the user a message, but simply tells your client to open a window. || || `/topic ` || Change the topic on your active channel (if you have appropriate privileges) || || `/help` || Learn about available commands not covered here || || `/msg nickserv help` || Learn about nickname registration commands provided by the freenode nickname server ||