View source for IRC setup steps with gaim

My client of choice is "gaim" ( http://gaim.sourceforge.net/ ) as it also
allows me to chat on various other instant messenger networks.  NOTE: the
gaim program is now called pidgin and resides at pidgin.sf.net .   It works 
under both linux and has also been ported nicely to windows.  Being Free 
Software, it does not have any addware.

My IRC setup is something like:
  menu / Tools / Accounts / Add

  Protocol: select IRC
  Screen Name: <your choice, I used donfede>
  Server: irc.freenode.net
  Password: <blank>
  Alias: <blank>

  optionally you can click on "Show more options" and set
  Real name: <to your name of choice, I set my name>

  On the Accounts window, check On "Online" for the newly created account.

  Once connected you should get a new window for "freenode-connect" where you
  can issue a command preceeded by the forward slash.  Tho "join" command is
  probably the one most used.

  /join #rivendell

  To get brief help on the other commands you can use:
  /help

  To see all the current channels you can issue:
  /list

Alternatively, if at some point you don't have a chat window up after
connecting to the freenode network one can also join a channel via:
  menu / Buddies / Join a Chat
  Account: select the "foouser@irc.freenode.net (IRC)" account created above
  Channel: #rivendell
  Password: <blank>


Brief tips:

If you enjoy keeping logs, there are options to do that under:
  menu  / Tools / Preferences / Logging

When in a chat room (aka channel), you can start a message with another users
nick by entering a few characters and tab expanding it (much like bash).  This
will often highlight their client, bringing attention to them.


While some people use IRC as a social tool, I find it valueble to assist
others when stuck and to discuss design in a more realtime mode (from
supporting others on #rivendell, to getting QT advice on #qt, to much more
general help with linux and audio development on #lad).