Supreme Commander Universe

Supreme Commander Universe Internet Relay Chat @ #supcom on irc.gnug.org

What server do I join?

We are located at #supcom on irc.gnug.org. You can join by clicking that link if you have a client installed, or by using our Web-based CGI IRC.

What's IRC?

IRC - Internet Relay Chat - is a tried-and-tested interactive chat system for talking to Internet users on a (practically) real-time basis. You may have seen references to DALNet, EFNet, QuakeNet and so on -- these are the enormous servers which hold tens of thousands of users at a time. SupComUniverse links to a much smaller, but similarly-functioning system with all the features of these major networks and more.

So how do I start chatting?

You've got a few options. SupComUniverse has its own web-based client that you can start with. Alternatively, you could use something like MouseLike's IRC (http://www.mouselike.org/) to connect. However, by far the best way is to download and install a dedicated client on your own computer. This allows you to interact with the IRC server's extra features, exist on multiple channels simultaneously, and of course, set up your own private chat channels.

Dedicated client? What's that?

A client is a piece of software installed on your computer that connects directly to an IRC server. We have always recommended mIRC (http://www.mirc.com/) for our PC users, although BersIRC and Trillian's integrated client are preferred by some. Do a Google search for IRC clients and pick your own, if you are so inclined. However, the following instructions are tailored for mIRC specifically.

How do I install mIRC?

Download it from the site specified above, first of all. Then it's simply a case of following the instructions of the installer program. After it's installed, open it up. You'll need to do the following:

Click File > Options. You'll see a window to select a server -- click the 'Add' button. The only important detail to add is in the 'Server:' textbox. Type irc.gnug.org into it, and add your own description. You'll need to choose a nickname, as well -- type what you want to appear as into the 'Nickname:' textbox. This completes the server setup, so click the big button labelled 'Connect to IRC Server'. With an open Internet connection, you should now connect to the server.
If you successfully connect, the channels box should appear. The defaults are of no use on our server, so you can drag-select and delete them all if you wish.
In the channels box, add the channels that you'll join on a regular basis. Click the 'Add' button, and in the 'Channel:' text box, enter #supcom. You can add a description if you like. We also recommend you do the same for the #Gnug and #TAUniverse channels, as these two are where the most conversation goes on. Make sure you read the #Gnug rules before joining #Gnug.
Select the channels you want to join and click the 'Join' button.

Who are ChanServ and NickServ?

To keep hold of your identity on our server, it's wise to register your nickname so that no-one else can assume your identity, and also because the privileges you receive in your channel(s) depend on it. Think of it as registering on the Forum. That, in a nutshell, is what NickServ is for. ChanServ keeps your channels going even if there's no-one there, in addition to providing security features and providing privileges to users you designate. Both these services are running all the time on the server to help keep things in order.

Registering your identity with NickServ

First of all, make sure your current nickname is the one you want to register. Then it's a simple case of typing /msg nickserv REGISTER *password you want* *your email address* filling the asterisked parameters with appropriate values. Be sure, of course, to remember your password. It isn't easily retrieved like your Forum password.

Identifying to NickServ in the future, and other housekeeping commands

Identifying to NickServ should be the first thing you do upon logging on, assuming you want to use the nickname you registered in the last step. By far the easiest way to do this is to set it up in the Perform box in mIRC. Whenever you join a server, the commands you enter in here will be run.

Go into File > Options to bring up mIRC's global preferences again. Under the IRC node in the left column, there will be an option labelled Perform. Clicking on this should bring up a large box for you to enter the following commands:

/msg nickserv ghost *your registered nickname* *your password you registered with*
/nick *your registered nickname*
/msg nickserv identify *your password you registered with*

The first of these commands helps remove your 'ghost' if you lose connectivity with our server (eventually ghosts will disappear on their own, but having this command to remove them helps if they still exist).
The second of these commands changes you to your registered nickname.
The last command transmits your identity to the server, and authorises it.

NOTE: The first two commands aren't necessary, but they do help prevent nickname problems and save you time typing them manually.

Registering a channel with ChanServ

You can also make your own channels for private or public purposes. To make a temporary one, just type /join #*channel name you want*. However, the channel will disappear once everyone in it leaves. Additionally, you will lose your operator privileges if you leave and rejoin.

ChanServ solves this problem by registering your channels in a secure database. You can set it to automatically give operator privileges to certain people when they join the channel (they will always be given to the person who registers it), to ban certain people from entering, permanently, and set security options to ensure that your authority is maintained. Registering a channel is done by entering the following command in this syntax - /msg chanserv register #*channel to be registered* *password* *description of the channel*.

Other IRC Functions

Emote -- tells the channel what you're doing. For example, typing /me is going out will produce * xxx is going out. It's wise IRC etiquette not to overuse this feature.
Colors -- pressing CTRL-K will open a colour box in mIRC, allowing you to choose the text colour. However, colors are generally seen as annoying and should be used sparingly or not at all.
Quitting in style -- a regular IRC-goer always has a quit message, often a funny or accidentally embarrassing quote from someone else. Type /quit *your message* to do so.
Query -- opens a private, one-on-one channel to someone. The quickest way in most IRC clients to open a query is to double click on the nickname from the list on the right.
DCC Chat -- does the same thing as a query, but is more secure and direct. It is also maintained if the IRC server has a technical fault. However, the receiver has to accept the DCC link before you can chat. To open one, right click on the nickname on the rightmost list, go down to DCC, then Chat. (A firewall, if you use one, can cause this not to work.)
Send Files -- sends a file directly to someone. You pick the files from a standard Windows file box, and the other person must accept them. To send a file to someone, right click on their nickname from the rightmost box, go down to DCC, then Send. (A firewall, if you use one, can cause this not to work.)
Getting help -- most IRC clients ship with their own help files. However, you can get online help for ChanServ and NickServ as well. Just type /msg chanserv help commands or /msg nickserv help commands depending on your preference.

Rules

These are the general server rules. They apply to everyone and every channel on the network:

No warez at all.
No fserves or xdcc at all.
No channels explicitly for pornography and no pornography in channels that prohibit it.
No war scripts and no trojans and no DCCing of any viruses or trojans.
No ban evasion.
No nick stealing or impersonating others.
No flaming of others.
No nuking and no clones.

The server bot policy is:

We aren't against the usage of bots in general. However, please check with an IRCOp before bringing one onto the server. As a general guideline, no bots should be put in a channel without first getting approval from the channel owner/operators.

In addition, many channels also have their own, independent rule sets. The use of colored text for decoration (or anything) is a ban-able offence on some. Hassling or being abusive towards the staff (server admins and channel operators) may also get you thrown out. And it goes without saying that worthless spamming or flooding will receive a harsh punishment.

Your IRCOperators for the irc.gnug.org server are Gnug615, JJ and Matt. If you have any issues with the server in general, please contact one of them via email or via a private query window on IRC. The IRCOperators are not responsible for the enforcement of any channel rules, but simply for server rules in general. The rules for the server can be viewed by typing "/rules" and will be displayed in your status window. The server rules apply to all channels located on the server.

Here is a basic set of rules to adhere to while chatting in the #SupCom channel. Please use common sense.

Chat in the channel as if your mother or young sister were reading what you were typing.
Excessive profanity can be an offense worthy of a ban. Please try to limit your cursing.
No pornography of any kind. This includes pasting URL's to porn sites.
No warez. None. Zero. Zilch. Warez in a public channel on the IRC server can lead to a ban from the server.
A healthy debate is welcome, but please limit a debate with just two people to a private window or another channel. This is looked more upon as an argument.
No spamming. This means several lines typed as simple "lol" or "hehe" type text. Pasting several lines of text is not looked upon as spam if it has meaning to a current conversation or as a conversation starter. You should all know the difference between spam and a large paste, if you do not the operators will be more than glad to sort it out for you.
The designated operators of the #SupCom channel have the final say. Deal with it. They will adhere to the rules of the room and enforce them. If you are kicked or kick banned by a paticular operator, do not complain to another operator about it or beg to be unbanned by another operator. Just "do your time" and try to learn from your mistakes.
No flame wars. You know what a flame is, sometimes one will slip out and go unrecognized, but do not repeatedly flame a single person or group of persons and expect to go unpunished.
The use of colors is allowed in a small degree. Please do not make a habit of using colors to type with, the same goes for bold and underlined text. Excessive use of the "/me" command is also frowned upon. Again, just use common sense and be decent and you'll be fine.

The operators of #SupCom do not like to rule with a iron fist, so try your hardest to follow the rules and you will do just fine. The operators of the channel have been selected very carefully and will do their best to make your stay a pleasent one. Should you feel the need to discuss a "issue" with someone higher up, feel free to contact Nexus at nexus@tauniverse.com and voice your opinion. Any Operator found to be out of line will face the same discipline as any other user, they are not above the law.