Previous: 2.1 General Commands Up: 2 Let's Go! Next: 2.3 Channels and Public Conversations

2.2 Communication and Private Conversation

You can use the MSG command (usually `` M'' is an alias for it) to send someone a message that only that person can read.

/MSG <nickname>|<channel> <text>
Sends a private message to the specified nickname.

/MSG Nap This message is for Nap only.
-> *Nap* This message is for Nap only.

On my screen will appear:

*YourNick* This message is for Nap only.

If you want to send a private message to more than one person, you can specify a list of nicknames separated by commas (no spaces).

/MSG Nap,Sorg This message for both Nap and Sorg.
-> *Nap* This message for both Nap and Sorg.
-> *Sorg* This message for both Nap and Sorg.

Two special case nicknames are defined. If the nickname is `` ,'' (a comma), the message is sent to the last person who sent you a MSG. If the nickname is `` .'' (a period), the message is sent to the last person to whom you sent a message.

You can have a private conversation by only using /MSG. However, typing `` /MSG <nick> <text>'' or `` /MSG . <text>'' gets cumbersome. That's where the QUERY command comes in handy.

/QUERY [<nickname>|<channel>]
Starts a private conversation with <nickname>.

All text you type that would normally be sent to your channel now goes to the supplied nickname in the form of MSGs. To cancel a private conversation, use QUERY with no arguments.

/QUERY Nap
*** Starting conversation with Nap

Blahcrap
-> *Nap* Blahcrap

/QUERY
*** Ending conversation with Nap

There is also another command to send messages, called NOTICE. Unlike MSGs, NOTICEs are surrounded by - when printed, and no automated responses (such as generated by IGNORE or an automaton) will be sent in reply. Services (robots) on IRC often use this form of interaction.

/NOTICE <nickname>|<channel> <text>
Sends a private message to the specified <nickname>.

/NOTICE Nap Better use /MSG instead of /NOTICE.
-> -Nap- Better use /MSG instead of /NOTICE.

On my screen will appear:

-YourNick- Better use /MSG instead of /NOTICE.

As you begin making new friends over IRC, you'll want to mark certain nicknames such that you will be warned when they signon or off.

/NOTIFY [[-]<nickname>]
Adds or removes <nickname> to the list of people you'll be warned when they enter or quit IRC.

/NOTIFY Nap Nappy
*** Signon by Nap detected

/NOTIFY
*** Currently present: Nap
*** Currently absent: Nappy

Eventually, you may wish some day not to see messages from a specific user on your screen. This may happen when someone is dumping large amounts of garbage, or if someone is harassing you. The proper response to such a behavior is to IGNORE that person. IGNORE is a very powerful command, and can be used in many ways. However, the basic usage of this tool is the following:

/IGNORE [<nickname>|<user@host> [[-]<message type>]]
Suppresses output from the given people from your screen. IGNORE can be set by nickname or by specifying a userid@hostname format. Wildcards may be used in all formats. Output that can been ignored includes MSGs, NOTICEs, PUBLIC messages, INVITES, ALL or NONE. Preceeding a type with a `` -'' indicates removal of ignoring of that type of message.

/IGNORE *@cheshire.oxy.edu ALL
*** Ignoring ALL messages from *@CHESHIRE.OXY.EDU

/IGNORE
*** Ignorance List:
***     *@CHESHIRE.OXY.EDU:      ALL

/IGNORE *@cheshire.oxy.edu NONE
*** *@cheshire.oxy.edu removed from ignorance list