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KongisKing.net's
Chat
Server
IRC
FAQ
Version
1.00 Q) What is IRC? IRC stands for "Internet Relay Chat". IRC is a multi-user chat system, where people gather on a server to talk in "channels" - also commonly referred to as "rooms". This chat occurs in realtime, it's just like having a conversation with a group of people - except in text. You could say that it is very similar to, but much more international than the chatrooms on AOL. Since starting in Finland in 1988, IRC has become one of the most popular forms of instant chatting in the world. Q) What channels are available on KongisKing.net?Currently KongisKing.net offers only one chatroom for the purpose of talking King Kong, it is called, oddly enough, #kongisking.net Other available rooms are:
You need an IRC client to chat on an IRC server. There are several options. First - and possibly easiest - you can use our Java IRC chat (also known as jirc). This operates within your browser and should work on any type of operating system. If you're slightly more experienced - or want to chat regularly - you should try a dedicated IRC client such as mIRC, our own TORnIRC or Trillian (all only for Windows) - XChat, ChatZilla, Blackened, Irssi, BitchX (for multiple platforms) - and IRCLE, Snak, AkwaIRC or AthenaIRC for the Macintosh. Q) What are the advantages of a dedicated IRC client?Well, Java IRC is fantastic if you want to test the chatting waters, but for those chatting on a regular basis, a dedicated IRC client offers greater reliability and flexibility. Just a few of the distinct benefits over Java IRC include:
For Java IRC (using your normal web browser without the need to install additional software), go to KongisKing Java Chat page, select the channel you want to connect to, type in a nickname and hit connect. You will be logged in automatically and can begin chatting immediately. For detailed instructions on connecting via a dedicated IRC client, go to our Instructions Page. If you are an advanced user with concerns about privacy, you may wish to investigate TheOneRing.net's SSL connectivity options. Q) Who are the people with the @ things?They are channel operators, affectionately called Ops, (also called moderators). They help run the various registered channels (those listed above) - making sure people abide by KongisKing.net's chatting guidelines. They will also help you with any problems you have running your IRC client and try and answer questions that aren't answered here. A list of the current op complement can be seen on the TheOneRing.net Staff Roster and similar pages. Q) What is Lumpy?One of the things that you'll immediately note when you enter our registered channels, is the presence of a chatter named "Lumpy". Except he's not actually a person, but a "bot" - program designed to help run KongisKing.net's official chat channels. Lumpy is designed to monitor languange in the channel, and will warn and eject those who swear. Three offenses will result in a ban of 10 minutes. A fourth offense results in a 48 hour ban. Repeat offenders may be banned permanently. Extreme cursing usually results in an instant ban. Channel operators will also kick and ban disruptive chatters at their discretion. Q)
No-one
is
talking?!! People often chat and do other things at the same time. They might even be chatting in other channels. Be patient. If you hang around, someone will greet you eventually. Or you can try another channel on the server, which may be busier - although #KongisKing.net is usually busiest and has conversation pretty much 24 hours a day. Alternatively, simply come back a bit later on. Q) What do all these abbreviations mean?IRC has a rich history dating back to 1988, and an appropriately diverse array of jargon. Here's a brief table of the most common acronyms and abbreviations that are common usage on the server. Whilst capitalised here, these terms are often used in lower case for convenience (and to make them look less like shouting).
All
IRC
servers
have
to
send
a
PING
token
to
their
users
every
few
minutes
(every
120
seconds
on
our
server)
so
as
to
detect
when
users'
connections
have
silently
disappeared
in
to
the
void,
typically
due
to
their
computer
or
internet
connection
crashing.
If
the
server
didn't
do
this,
the
user's
ghost
would
persist
on
the
server
indefinitely
until
the
server
next
tried
to
send
something
to
them
(e.g.
relaying
a
new
line
of
text
from
a
channel).
If
you
don't
like
seeing
the
Just like any community, KongisKing.net's IRC server has developed its own guidelines and etiquette of behaviour. Some key points about this are outlined below. They will help you avoid irritating the channel moderators and your fellow chatters. Q) Why can't I use capital letters LIKE THIS all the time?Firstly, it's annoying and rude. It's the internet equivalent of shouting, and is thus frowned upon in IRC. After all, we're here to chat, not shout at each other. And imagine if everyone did it. You don't need to use capital letters to get your point across, and we would prefer if you didn't. Thanks. Q) Why can't I swear?We get a huge range of people and cultures on our IRC server - it really is an international site. Therefore, to provide everyone with a pleasant chatting environment, we are obliged to stick to the lowest common denominator. We also see a lot of young kids coming on, and as an organisation, we want to set a good example - and not annoy their parents who might be a little disturbed to see potty languange littering a chat. Finally, it's simply more enjoyable to have an IRC server to go to where people aren't swearing every second word. What constitutes swearing? Because Lumpy is a robot, he has a very strict rulebook to go by. To give you an idea, he will issue warnings for words such as "damn" and "crap". If you have any question in your mind as to whether a word might be considered obscene or offensive, then you should almost certainly consider rephrasing your thoughts less crassly. Extreme forms of swearing can - and most likely will - result in an instant ban. All we ask is that you abide by this when you're on the KongisKing.net IRC server. If you disagree, and don't think you can avoid swearing in channel, perhaps you should find another place to chat. Q) Why can't I use scripts in the main channel?It's not so much that you can't, but that they get used excessively. People also often use very large scripts, and it disrupts the flow of the chat for others. If you want to test out and play with scripts, we ask that you use #mordor. Usually the moderators will ask nicely before kicking you out. More information can be found about KongisKing.net sanctioned scripts below. Q) Why can't I have my own bot?Only official bots are permitted on the server. Badly configured bots pose a security risk to the server and therefore we make no exceptions. Q) What do you mean by "no innuendo"?Because we basically run a family channel, innuendo and sex-talk isn’t permitted. We will warn, kick, and ban as appropriate to discourage such behaviour. Q) Politics, religious discussion, etc.Discussion revolving around politics, religion, etc. is generally okay — as long as people don't get upset. Unfortunately, this seems to happen in 95% of the time. So, if you're asked to stop by one of the moderators, please do so immediately. Q) What is flooding?Flooding is the practice of sending large quantities of text to a channel or person - usually with the sole purpose of disrupting normal chatting. It also encompasses asking the same question over and over. The main point is that it ruins everyone's enjoyment of the channel. It also puts unneeded stress on the server and wastes bandwidth. Lumpy has in-built flood protection and will kick flooders. This is one reason why we recommend people wanting to use large scripts go to #mordor. Q) What do you mean by no advertising?We generally regard advertising as blatantly promoting a commercial site such as: "Buy my stuff at www.buymystuff.com !!". Generally a guaranteed way to annoy the moderators. Pasting links to your own private website or something King Kong related is okay, as long as it's within the context of the current channel conversation - and it's not done over and over again. Joining the chat solely to plug a URL (or similar) is guaranteed to result in your discreet removal from the server. Section 3: "How do I?"Q) How do I do actions? (the text that's coloured differently) You
can
create
actions
by
typing:
For
example:
Note that all IRC commands are preceded by a slash and you must use that to make them work. Q) How do I join a channel?You
can
join
a
channel
by
typing:
So,
if
I
wanted
to
join
#thehalloffire,
I'd
type
If
you
want
to
change
your
nickname
whilst
chatting
on
the
server,
type:
You
can
leave
the
server
at
any
time
either
by
closing
the
program
with
which
you're
chatting
-
or
by
using
the
If you want to open a private window, and just chat to one person, you select their name on the chat list and doubleclick. This should open a dedicated window through which you can chat to them directly in a manner very similar to any instant messaging system such as AIM, ICQ or MSN. Q) How do I register my nickname?Registering a nickname allows you to reserve a nickname for your own exclusive use. This is invaluable for maintaining your identity on the IRC server. To do this, choose the nickname you want to be use, and change to it. Then mentally choose a password. Note that passwords are case sensitive! Then
type:
However,
you
must
swap
your
chosen
password
for
For
example,
I
might
want
to
register
the
nickname
Now,
to
ensure
that
your
e-mail
address
is
valid,
you'll
receive
a
message
containing
a
nine-digit
authorization
code
at
the
E-mail
address
you
gave.
You
then
type:
If you follow these steps, your chosen nickname should now be properly and completely registered. This authorisation process is a once-only thing that you do not need to repeat unless your nickname becomes unregistered for some reason. Also, should you choose to register other nicknames, you will have to do this for them as well. Q)
Why
do
you
insist
on
me
providing
a
valid
e-mail
address? The software that we use to power our IRC Services (IRCServices v5) requires that all registered users submit a valid e-mail address in order that very useful and exciting functionality such as memo-forwarding and password-retrieval can be used. If you do not wish to submit an e-mail address, you have no obligation for you to register your nickname. Needless to say, KongisKing.net treats all the private data of its users (e-mail addresses, memos, etc.) with the utmost privacy and respect - we will not disclose your e-mail address to outside entities. Q) How do I identify my nick once I've logged on?You must identify each time you log onto the IRC server and tell NickServ that it is really you rather than somebody trying to steal your nick. You
do
this
by
typing:
Again,
you
would
substitute
your
password
for
password.
So
if
I
were
If you've set kill protection on your nickname, you'll need to do it quickly - usually within one minute of logging on - or nickserv will forcibly change your nick. N.B.
On
most
IRC
clients
(e.g.
mIRC,
xchat)
the
phrase
Nicknames expire after 30 days of non use. After that, they become publically available once more and anyone may use and register them. Q)
How
do
I
change
my
password? After
you've
identified
yourself
to
NickServ
(see
above
question),
choose
a
new
password
and
then
type:
Now,
the
trick
is
that
you
replace
Again,
using
the
example
of
Catherine,
if
I
chose
to
change
my
password
to
When you first register, NickServ does not set a "kill" on your nickname. You must set this yourself. In this instance, a "kill" means that anyone who uses your nickname, but does not identify to NickServ within a certain time period (usually one minute) has their name forcibly changed to one of the form 'Guest1085141660' where 1085141660 is a randomly selected number. They are then subsequently forced to use a different nickname. You
can
enable
this
option
by
typing:
Note that if you are slow in identifying, it will also 'kill' you! NickServ makes no distinctions and will not know it is you until you identify! You will also notice that you cannot change back immediately iof you are nickchanged in this manner. This is because nickserv holds your nick under its protection for roughly 30-60 seconds before releasing it for re-use. Q) How do I connect securely (SSL) to the server? (and other privacy issues)In a normal IRC connection, your client talks over the internet to our server in what is known as 'plaintext' - completely unencrypted text. The server likewise relays your conversation in a channel to all the other users who are joined on that channel (or to whom you're talking in PM) as plaintext by default. This means that anyone with whom you share your internet connection can potentially eavesdrop undetectably on your conversations, steal your passwords, etc. Likewise, anyone with access to any network between your computer and irc.kongisking.net can eavesdrop. This concern is most relevant for those who chat from untrusted networks of any kind:
Currently, the only IRC clients which provide native support for SSL are mIRC (v6.15 and later), X-Chat (v1.5.6 and later), irssi (v0.8.6 and later), and BitchX-SSL (v1.0a1 and later). Of these, X-Chat, irssi and BitchX support SSL 'out of the box', whereas mIRC requires special installation. Instructions for installation and use are as follows:
N.B. Like all technology, SSL is not a perfect solution, and the security it provides is only as good as the commmon sense which is applying it. Specifically:
SSL is a new feature on irc.kongisking.net and should be considered an experimental trial - we would be interested to hear feedback from anyone using it at ircservices@theonering.net. Q) How do I send someone a memo?What's a memo, you ask? A memo is a message you can leave on the server for someone to pick up when they log onto the server. You can leave a memo for anyone who has a registered nickname as long as your nickname is also registered. You
can
do
this
by
typing:
Simply
replace
For
example,
I
could
send
Jincey
a
memo
like
this:
It
is
possible
to
tell
memoserv
to
automatically
forward
memos
to
the
e-mail
address
you
used
to
register.
When
this
is
set
to
To
turn
memo
forwarding
on,
type:
To
set
it
to
copy:
To
turn
it
off
entirely:
Note
that
even
if
you
set
The short answer is that you can't. The post is only by invitation from jincey. You must have a great deal of knowledge about how IRC works. You need to be a person who can provide help our guests with installing and using IRC clients. You need to be mature and get on well with people. You must be well known and trusted by the people who run the server.Very few people become ops; and they are only appointed as required. Please don't ask, as refusal often offends. Q) How do I find out when my friends were last on?There's
several
ways
you
can
try.
Firstly,
try:
Alternatively,
if
they
have
a
registered
nickname,
try:
Finally,
if
all
else
fails,
try:
A "ghost" is a when you're not actually connected, but the IRC server believes is still online for one reason or another. Typically, this happens if your computer crashes or your Internet or modem connection goes down while you're on IRC. To
terminate
your
ghost
type:
For
example,
if
I
was
disconnected
while
using
the
nickname
Catherine,
but
the
IRC
server
still
thought
my
ghost
was
still
online,
I'd
type:
If
you
want
Barliman
to
recognise
you,
so
that
others
can
run
Well, if you insist... The entire command reference for the current version of the IRC Services solution we run (IRCServices 5) can be read here - and likewise the reference manual for the current IRC server software (UnrealIRCd 3.2) can be read here. Be aware that much of these documents is only relevant to administrators and developers of the software rather than normal users. Section 4: "What do I do if?"Q) What do I do if I've forgotten my password? Firstly,
if
you've
registered
properly,
you
can
ask
NickServ
to
e-mail
it
to
you
at
the
e-mail
address
you
registered
with.
You
can
do
this
by
typing:
Simply
replace
the
nickname
with
your
registered
nickname.
An
e-mail
containing
your
password
should
then
show
up
in
your
inbox,
solving
your
problem.
Again,
for
example,
if
I've
forgotten
the
password
for
Catherine,
I'd
type:
If that's not working, look for one of: Jincey, Arathorn, Demosthenes or Charliems and ask for their assistance. Q) What do I do if my nickname is suspended?Usually your nickname becomes suspended only when you've typed in an incorrect password too often. In these cases, you should look for one of: Jincey, Arathorn, Demosthenes or Charliems and ask for their assistance. Alternatively, mail barlimans@theonering.net outlining your problem. Q) What do I do if I'm banned from a channel?It depends. If you ask an op nicely, you might be let back in at his or her discretion. As outlined previously, Lumpy will ban on a third warning. These last 10 minutes. A fourth warning is a 48-hour ban. If you've been banned by mistake - you join and simply can't enter the channel, send an e-mail to barlimans@theonering.net outlining the situation. Be sure to include your nickname, and your ISP to help us deal with the problem. Q) What do I do if I'm banned from the server?A
server
ban
will
result
in
you
getting
a
message
somewhat
like
this:
If you think you've been perma-banned by mistake - or would like to ask to have it removed - send an e-mail to klines@theonering.net outlining the situation. Again, it's very important that you include your nickname and your ISP to help us deal with the problem. Q) What do I do if I can't connect to the server?The
reasons
for
being
able
to
connect
to
the
server
are
legion
-
the
most
common
will
be
that
your
computer
has
been
permenantly
banned
because
of
someone's
misdemeanours
(see
previous
entry).
However,
if
your
connection
never
gets
as
far
as
informing
you
that
you
have
been
permenantly
banned
from
TheOneRing,
e.g.:
Then you should mail us and tell us what your problem is. Be sure to copy and paste the problem from your client of choice (i.e. the text similar to that which you see above), and describe the problem in as much detail as possible. Alternatively, you may be running into our new Open Proxy monitoring system. We are currently trialling BOPM from Blitzed.org to intercept and ban incoming connections from clients whose machines are running open proxies (or are connecting by means of an insecure open proxy). If you are, you will see something like this happen when you connect:
What this most likely means is that your computer is running some software called a proxy which has been incorrectly set up so as to potentially behave in an exceptionally malicious manner. Such misconfiguration, known as an open proxy, can be used by anyone on the internet to abuse your computer to send spam, or launch attacks on an IRC server or network. Often, this software will have been installed as a result of your computer being infected by a virus or malicious software. BOPM scans connecting clients for presence of such software, and if it finds it it has no option other than to immediately permenantly ban them from the server - and potentially hand their details over to a centralised blacklist. To regain access to the server, you *must* remove this software by installing up to date antivirus software & definitions and scanning your machine for adware. There is a chance that your network administrator may be to blame for running an open proxy on your IP address - if you are sure your machine is not infected, you should complain vigorously to him/her. For more information on what Open Proxies are, and how to get rid of them - and how to remove yourself from the Black List (or test yourself to see if you are inadvertently running an open proxy, please visit the OPM Proxy FAQ. In general, it is fair to say that if your computer is behaving at all strangely, not running antivirus software, running an old WinGate server - or is behind a poorly installed corporate or home network, there is a high chance that your system could be abused in this fashion. In order to regain access to KongisKing, you will have to remove the misconfigured proxy software in question from your computer, or the firewall that it's running on. Then visit the OPM Proxy Lookup website and Mail us, and we should be able to arrange for your return. Alternatively, If you were trying to access through an open proxy relay in the first place, you'll have to find a less dubious route in. |
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