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General Nazarene IRC Information
Nazarene IRC Rules
Nazarene IRC Ops Tips
General Nazarene IRC Information
What is Nazarene IRC?
Internet Relay Chat is real time, keyboard to keyboard chat. There are thousands of IRC channels, covering as many topics. We are using an IRC network called StarLink-IRC which seems to be family friendly, not allowing some of the trash that is found on other IRC networks. Nazarene IRC is a channel set aside for the fellowship of members and friends of the Church of the Nazarene. A related mode of real time communications is ICQ ("I seek you") which has a growing Nazarene presence. You can find out more about ICQ by clicking here.
Who is in charge of Nazarene IRC?
While the registered owner of Nazarene IRC is G.R. "Scott" Cundiff , a steering committee of three individuals handles the day to day operation, including dealing with any problems on the channel, and sets channel policy. These good folks serve on an annual basis, from August through July. They are:
This committee does for Nazarene IRC what the Forum moderators do for NazNet. They are assisted by other volunteers who have ops status.
When Will I Find Activity On Nazarene IRC?
There are regularly scheduled "Afterglows" on Wednesday and Sunday evenings around 9:00 Central Time. However, it never hurts to check out Nazarene IRC during the evening, as often folks "hang out" there looking for a friendly chat. Note: if you go to Nazarene IRC and find someone there named "cstar" that is our channel robot...cstar won't talk to you but it keeps our channel open and available.
Also, there is a special IRC each Saturday at 9:00 a.m. Central time. The idea is to have a time when people from literally around the world can meet for fellowship, as the regular afterglow times are difficult for people, especially in Europe. Also, note, the times given above change for some as different parts of the world move from local Standard Time to Daylight Savings Time. Use the link to "Current World Times" on NazNet Central to verify what time 9:00 a.m. U.S. Central Time is for you.
What Do I Need To Get On Nazarene IRC?
First, you need an IRC program for your computer. Instructions for setting up the most popular one, mIRC is given here. If you need general information on IRC in general or how to download programs and install them on your computer, visit the mIRC Home Page. You can find TONS of IRC information at that site, so there is no need to repeat it here. As I mentioned, there is also a "newby" page on that site which explains such things as how to download programs via the internet and step by step instructions on extracting the program so you can use it. I suggest you read that page before asking for help if you are having problems or unsure as to what to do.
 mIRC for Nazarene IRC
There are several IRC clients but the favorite is mIRC. This shareware program can be downloaded from the mIRC Home Page. Also, note: if you run a Mac computer, check out the Macintosh IRC Clients Site. You will have to pick and choose from the instructions below, but the general idea is the same.
Once I Get mIRC How Do I Get On Nazarene IRC?
These instructions are for mIRC 5.7. If you download a newer version, the concepts listed here will still apply, but may not match exactly, step-by-step.
- Start mIRC
- Check off the box in the lower left hand corner of the "about mIRC box"
- Click the X on the "about mIRC box"
- When the "mIRC Options" box pops up, click on the drop down box and select: Starlink-irc
- The next box will automatically pick StarLink-irc: Random Server-- leave it like that, however note that you can use any other available StarLink-irc servers as well
- Put your name, e-mail address in the proper boxes
- Choose two nicknames -- if you want to use your name for the first one that is okay, or if you want you can choose a fancy nickname!
- Check off "Invisible mode"
- Click on OK
- Click on "File" then "Options"
- Click on "Options" -- a sub category of "Connect"
- Click on "Connect on Startup", click off "pop up connect dialog on startup"
- Click on the "+" next to IRC
- Click on "Perform"
- Check the box that says "On Connect Perform these commands"
- In the box type this: /join #nazarene
- Click OK
- Click on the little "lightening bolt" near the upper left corner of the screen
- Once the connect is made, a box named "mIRC Channels Folder will pop up, uncheck the "pop up folder on connect" option, then X click on "Okay"
- You should be connected to Nazarene IRC! If the internet is especially busy, you may have trouble connecting, if so, go back to File, Setup, IRC Server and pick out another StarLink-irc Server and try it.
- There is a LOT to learn about mIRC and IRC, but you are ready to start enjoying Nazarene IRC!
How do I use MSN TV (WebTV) on Nazarene IRC?
(Thanks to Mary DeMart for this information)
- GO to community
- Click on Chat
- Click on go to in the upper right hand corner.
- Where it asks for server type in: houston.tx.us.starlink-irc.org
- Leave port set at 6667
- Where it asks for room type in: #nazarene
- Then click Connect
How do I customize my mIRC screen?
Internet Relay Chat offers literally dozens of commands. Using them, you can customize how your program looks, how it responds to various events, and even set up favorite lines of text that you use often. The purpose of this page is not to give a full listing of these commands, but to help with some of the more important ones, as well as point you in the right direction to find the help you need. However, you don't even have to be on line to get lots of help on mIRC. Right at the top of the screen is a Help command. Click on it and there are several help files available. There is even a file that lists every mIRC command, it is named "Mirccmds.txt." Print that one out and you have them all! Beyond that, there is a way to ask for help on one thing. For instance, to get help on fonts, type: /help fonts -- and you will be taken to a page that has fonts information on it.
Who is Cstar and who won't she talk to me?
The best time to find people on Nazarene IRC is during the regularly scheduled "Afterglows" on Sunday and Wednesday evenings at 9:00 Central Time. However, there are often folks just "hanging out" on Nazarene IRC during the evening hours, so check it out, you may find someone looking for a friendly chat!
There is one "person" who is almost always on the channel: Cstar. Cstar is our channel robot. cstar keeps the channel open and available for us. It also holds the settings of the channel. The primary setting we use is "secret." That means that, while the channel is always available to anyone who wants to use it, it does not show up in the general channel listings. It is kind of like having an unlisted phone number -- people who know it have no restrictions on calling the number, but if they don't know the number, it will be impossible for them to find it in the regular listings. There are a few unpleasant folks on IRC and keeping the channel unlisted makes it difficult, if not impossible, for them to find Nazarene IRC.
What is a netsplit?
A network like StarLink-irc uses multiple servers. Some people connect through a server at Houston, others through a server in Rochester, etc. Generally speaking, the servers around the world are linked together like a chain. A netsplit occurs when two of the servers along the chain lose contact with one another.
When this happens the two parts of the network become smaller networks of their own. If people are on a chat channel when a netsplit happens, suddenly to all the participants some people will disappear. Those on each side of the netsplit will find themselves on a channel with the same name, but with less people.
Depending on the server they use, someone logging onto IRC will find themselves with one group or the other.
Often IRC networks have technology to "mend" themselves, and even if they don't, the server that went down will generally come back up shortly.
People who visit Nazarene IRC often use the HoustonStarLink-irc server, which means, for them, a netsplit will leave them on the channel with the majority of the Nazarene IRC users. However, for those who use the javachat applet, no choice of servers is offered. This is one of the disadvantages of that method of participation. Still, since it is easy to use, and netsplits are fairly uncommon and short in duration, the javachat applet is a good way for people to try IRC before downloading and installing a program like mIRC.
Nazarene IRC Rules
What are the Nazarene IRC Rules?
The Nazarene IRC rules are based on the NazNet rules:
- No profanity.
- No personal attacks.
- Be courteous.
- Grace and sensitivity are strongly encouraged.
- Ops have authority on the channel and have the right to do what is necessary to keep #nazarene IRC a place for friendly, Christian fellowship.
- Those with ops authority are expected to cooperate in maintaining #nazarene IRC.
What does it mean to be courteous, gracious and sensitive on #nazarene IRC?
#nazarene IRC is a "Nazarene-friendly" place on the internet. The channel is for members and friends of the Church of the Nazarene. All participation is to reflect this. The purpose of the channel is to provide a place for fellowship, not to foster debate and argument. That does not mean that participants never disagree or hold strong opinions. It does mean that those who participate are required to maintain an attitude of respect for others, to behave with kindness, and in a spirit of fellowship. Sexually oriented, profane, obnoxious, taunting participation is not welcome. Although it is the rule on some IRC channels, "in your face," unfriendly actions are not acceptable on #nazarene IRC. Those who insist on participating in that style will be warned by an OP, and subsequent refusal to cooperate will result in being kicked or banned from the channel.
I received an uncomplimentary email (or other private communication) related to my participation on #nazarene IRC, what are the Ops going to do about it?
Unfortunately, things like this happen. However, #nazarene IRC is not responsible for, and has no control over, what people say to one another via email or other private communications, even if the conversation started on the #nazarene IRC channel. Beyond that, the Ops do not wish to receive copies of such emails and will not serve as referees in such disputes. Also, please do not copy such emails to the channel. Jesus details how we are to deal with conflicts in Matthew 18:15-17, and a person involved in an online conflict will do well to review and follow our Lord's direction in such matters.
Nazarene IRC Ops Tips
What does it mean to "have ops"
Ops are people who are designated as moderators for a specific IRC channel. It's easy to tell who they are because they will have a "@" in front of their name. Basically they have authority over who can participate in an IRC channel and are able to kick and ban a specific person from the chat session.
How do I get Cstar to give me ops?
If you are a channel op, here is the information on authorizing yourself to CStar and getting channel ops:
type /msg cstar auth #nazarene your-nick your-password
You can put this command in your IRC "perform file" and you will be given ops automatically whenever you enter #nazarene. Here is how to do that with mIRC:
- Click on File, Options, IRC, Perform
- If you are set up to automatically join #nazarene, you already have a command listed in the box
- Under that type:
/msg cstar auth #nazarene your-nick your-password
- Click on Okay
- The next time you come to #nazarene, you will automatically go to #nazarene and be given ops
Cstar is missing, how do I get her back?
Sometimes we lose CStar. If that happens, whoever gets on the channel first is automatically given ops. If you are that person, you can set the channel paramaters that CStar usually keeps for us. Type this:
/mode #nazarene +stn
You can also invite CStar to come back with this command:
/msg CStar join #nazarene
Note: CStar operates from one of the IRC servers, and is sometimes not available. If you send this command, and nothing happens, CStar is probably off line.
How do I change the chanel topic?
You can also set the topic on a channel like this:
/topic #nazarene Nazarene Growth Groups
What do I do about problem people?
If you have ops and someone is creating a problem (very rare for our group, by the way) you can remove them from the channel like this:
/kick #nazarene their_user_name (optional reason)
If they come back and continue to cause trouble, you can ban them from the channel like this:
/ban #nazarene their_user_name
Please remember that we have a steering committee that deals with long term, repeating problems. If a person insists on causing trouble on Nazarene IRC, you should discuss longer term solutions with the committee.
Last Page Update: August 1, 2002
This page is maintained by G.R. "Scott" Cundiff
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