Previous: 2 Let's Go! Up: 2 Let's Go! Next: 2.2 Communication and Private Conversation
/NICK [<nickname>]
Changes your nickname to whatever you like.
Everyone who wants to talk to you sees this name - also, at the moment, nicknames are limited to 9 characters max. Your nickname will be the same as your login by default. You can also set an environment variable, IRCNICK, the value of which will be used instead. Nickname clashes are not allowed; this is enforced by the servers. If your intended nickname clashes with someone else's as you enter IRC, you will not be able to enter until you change it to something else.
/NICK Nappy *** Nap is now known as Nappy
/QUIT [<reason>]
Exits your IRC session.
You can also use BYE, SIGNOFF and EXIT.
If a reason is supplied, it is displayed to other people on your channels.
/QUIT Lunch time! poly >
/HELP [<command>]
Shows help on the given command.
/HELP HELP Usage: HELP [command] Shows help on the given command. The help documentation is set up in a hierarchical fashion. That means that certain help topics have sub-topics under them. [boring stuff deleted]
/WHOIS [[<server>] <nickname>]
Shows information about someone.
/WHOIS Nap *** Nap is pioch@poly.polytechnique.fr (Klein bottle for sale... inquire within.) *** on channels: @#Twilight_Zone @#EU-Opers *** on irc via server poly.polytechnique.fr (Ecole Polytechnique, Paris, FRANCE !) *** Nap has a connection to the twilight zone (is an IRC operator) *** Nap has been idle 0 seconds/WHOIS Nappy *** Nappy: No such nickname
Sometimes WHOIS won't help you much, because the person you want to know more about just left IRC or changed nick. However, you can use WHOWAS to get this information for a while:
/WHOWAS [[<server>] <nickname>]
Shows information about who used the given nickname last,
even if no one is currently using it.
/WHOWAS Nappy *** Nappy was pioch@poly.polytechnique.fr (Artistic ventures highlighted. Rob a museum.) on channel *private* *** on irc via server poly.polytechnique.fr (Signoff: Mon Jun 22 20:15:23)
Very often, an unsuccessful call to WHOIS will lead you to try
WHOWAS. That's why ircII allows you to
`` /SET AUTO_WHOWAS ON'';
that way, a `` *** <nickname>: No such nickname''
message will automagically
generate a `` /WHOWAS <nickname>''. Try typing
`` /HELP SET AUTO_WHOWAS'' for more information on this topic.
/AWAY [<away message>]
Leave a message explaining that you are not currently paying
attention to IRC. Whenever someone sends you a MSG or
does a WHOIS on you, they automatically see whatever message you set.
Using AWAY with no parameters marks you as no longer being away.
/AWAY Gone to get a cup of coffee! *** You have been marked as being away/AWAY *** You are no longer marked as being away