Welcome to DareNET

Current revision as of 10:28, 1 October 2014

DareNET is a community centered around an IRC network. We're a group of people who like helping people connect with each other and have real conversations.

To help you get started, we created this brief guide for new users, so read on!

In This Guide:

1 Joining the conversation
- 1.1 I've connected, now what?
2 Signing up
3 Authenticating to N
4 Nicknames
5 Hostmasking
6 Securing your Account/Nickname
- 6.1 Suggestion #1:
- 6.2 Suggestion #2:
7 Channel Registration
8 Misc. Information

Joining the conversation

You can connect to our IRC network in one of two ways:

By using our webchat client, which allows you to connect to DareNET through you favorite web browser,
or by using your favorite IRC client. A list of IRC clients for various operating systems can be found here.

Downloading and setting up an IRC clients is the preferred option for the majority of our users, though it does require a bit of effort on their part. Should you decide to go this route as well, the server you'll want to use to connect to DareNET is irc.darenet.org. Common ports are 6660-6669 and 7000. We support SSL/TLS-enabled connections on ports 6697 and 9999 -- see our Using SSL guide for more information.

I've connected, now what?

If you're new to IRC, you may want to read our Basic IRCd Commands guide, which will help you achieve simple tasks such as changing your nickname and joining a channel (chat room).

Once you're connected, you'll probably want to sign up for an account. Why sign up you ask? Well, your DareNET account allows you to use and take full advantage of all the great features we provide, such as our IRC services (i.e., C, N, V, etc.), build and customize a user profile on the site, prevent others from using your nickname(s), register chat rooms (channels), and more.

Signing up

If you haven't already signed up for a DareNET account, do that first. Simply visit the Sign up page and create a new account.

NOTE: On DareNET, your account name is an arbitrary username independent of your IRC nickname (although, they can be the same, in some instances). It is how N, C and other services will recognize you on the IRC network, and is used to login to the website. In essence, it's how others will come to know and easily find you on DareNET. It is NOT nickname registration (don't worry, we'll cover that a little later in this guide), and cannot be changed.

Authenticating to N

Also commonly referred to as identifying to and/or logging into N.

Now that you have a DareNET account, you'll want to authenticate to N so you can actually use it on the IRC network. There are a few different ways you can do this, but we'll explain the most commonly used commands for this below:

Usage: /msg N@services.darenet.org AUTH <username|email@domain.tld> <password>

Where <username|email@domain.tld> is your DareNET username or email address, and <password> is your account password. For example, let's say your username was JoeCool and your password was aPpLe321. To authenticate, using the command shown above, you would simply use: /msg N@services.darenet.org AUTH JoeCool aPpLe321 or /msg N@services.darenet.org AUTH joecool@gmail.com aPpLe321

Alternatively, you can use the more condensed versions of the above command:

Usage: /NS AUTH <username|email@domain.tld> <password>

-OR-

Usage: /AUTH <username|<email@domain.tld> <password>

If the command is used correctly, you will receive a notice from N similar to the following:

-N- Authentication as JoeCool successful. You are now logged in!
-N- Remember, DareNET's staff will NEVER ask you for your account
-N- password. The only place to receive assistance with account
-N- related matters on DareNET is in #help

In addition to the authentication methods shown above, we also support a "login-on-connect" method, which will automatically log you into N while you're connecting to the network. It will also exempt you from any DNSBL checks, and automatically set user mode +x (hiding your host/ip address). For more information on how to set this feature up for your IRC client, go here.

NOTE: Webchat users can use the "login-on-connect" method simply by selecting the "Login to N" checkbox on the connection details page, and entering their DareNET account username and password.

Nicknames

We allow users to register the nicknames they commonly used to their account. By registering your nicknames, you will be able to prevent others from using it -- securing your identify on the network. NOTE: You must be authenticated to your account and using the nickname you would like to register before using the command below:

Usage: /msg N REGNICK

If it's successful, you'll receive a notice from N similar to the following:

-N- Nick YOURNICK has been registered to you.

Registering an account does not always mean you automatically own the associated nickname too. To prevent others from taking your nicknames, claim them using the step shown above.

Hostmasking

One of the perks of being a registered user is that you can hide your IP address/host from other users. A little extra piece of mind! If this is a feature you would like to take advantage of, simply use the following command (make sure you have authenticated to N):

/mode yournickhere +x

Alternatively, you can have N automatically set you +x when you identify to your account. To do this, use the following command:

/msg N SET AUTOHIDE on

Securing your Account/Nickname

We have a few suggestions for securing your account, which include:

Suggestion #1:

Enable N's RECLAIM option for your account:

/msg N SET RECLAIM on

N's RECLAIM option protects your nicknames when you are not using them. Should another user try to use any nicknames registered to your account, N will automatically change their nickname to something more suitable.

Suggestion #2:

Add your own hostmask to your account's allowed hosts list:

/msg N ADDMASK <yourident@your.mask.here>

If you would like to add the host you're current using, simply omit the part after ADDMASK and just use: /msg N ADDMASK

Once you have performed the above command, you may delete the default mask set for your account by using the following command:

/msg N DELMASK *@*

The above steps protect your account by denying logins from clients who's host does not match one of the specified hostmasks for your account. Should you try to authenticate from a different hostmask that is not specified you will have to issue N's AUTHCOOKIE command to have a cookie sent to your email. Once you receive that cookie, you can then authenticate to your nickname and add the mask if you wish.

Channel Registration

As a registered user, you have the opportunity to register channels (chat rooms) with C, our channel services bot, which provides both useful and powerful features to aid channel owner's in maintaining and protecting their channel. For more information, please review our channel registration guidelines.

Misc. Information

Some more information that may prove useful:

Support Channel

Should you ever find that you need assistance with something that is related to DareNET, or IRC in general, you can always step into our official support channel, #help, where our trained support staff will be pleased to help you.

Nickname vs *Account

Most of the commands provided by N, C, or any other service on DareNET, allow for an account or online users to be referenced. When referencing an account, you should use *account (note the asterisk prefixed to the account name). For example:

<SomeUser> /msg N INFO *NiTeMaRe
-N- Account Information for NiTeMaRe
-N- ----------------------------------------
-N- Registered on: Tue Mar 18 07:44:30 2008
-N- Last seen: Right now!
-N- Infoline: NiTeMaRe is cool!
-N- ----------End of Account Info-----------

This signals to services to use the account name directly, useful for when a user is offline and you want to add/remove them from your channel's userlist, send them a memo or even do a N INFO on their account. If you do not prefix the account name with an asterisk (*), services will treat it as a nickname that is currently being used on the network, which may not produce the outcome you expect!

Server-side Command Aliases

We support a number of server-side aliases for various Services' (i.e., C, N, etc.), for those whose IRC clients support them. For a list of such aliases, go here.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-DareNET is an inclusive, multi-purpose community centered around an IRC network. We currently maintain our own server and services software, which allows us to provide our users an experience not found on most other networks. To help you get started, we've provided a brief guide for new users below, so read on!
+DareNET is a community centered around an [[Wikipedia:Internet Relay Chat|IRC]] network. We're a group of people who like helping people connect with each other and have real conversations.
-Before we begin, you should take some time to become familiar with our [[Acceptable Use Policy|Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)]], which makes clear what is and is not acceptable behavior here on DareNET - mostly common sense.
+To help you get started, we created this brief guide for new users, so read on!
-== Connecting ==
+==Joining the conversation==
-There are currently two different methods available to you:
+You can connect to our IRC network in one of two ways:
-# You can use [http://www.darenet.org/chat WebChat] to connect to DareNET through your web browser, or
+# By using our [http://webchat.darenet.org webchat client], which allows you to connect to DareNET through you favorite web browser,
-# You can download an IRC client, you can find a list [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_IRC_clients here].
+# or by using your favorite IRC client. A list of IRC clients for various operating systems can be found [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_IRC_clients here].
-Downloading and setting up a client is often preferred, though does require a bit of effort on your part.
+Downloading and setting up an IRC clients is the preferred option for the majority of our users, though it does require a bit of effort on their part. Should you decide to go this route as well, the server you'll want to use to connect to DareNET is [irc://irc.darenet.org irc.darenet.org]. Common ports are 6660-6669 and 7000. We support SSL/TLS-enabled connections on ports 6697 and 9999 -- see our [[Using SSL]] guide for more information.
-The server you should use to connect to DareNET is [irc://irc.darenet.org irc.darenet.org].
+===I've connected, now what?===
-=== Once connected...===
+If you're new to IRC, you may want to read our [[Basic IRCd Commands|Basic IRCd Commands guide]], which will help you achieve simple tasks such as changing your nickname and joining a channel (''chat room'').
-Once you've connected to our network, you'll probably want to register a NickServ account. What does NickServ do you ask? Well, it keeps track of what nicknames are registered to you, what channels you have access in, vhosts, etc. It's an essential part of DareNET and allows you to use all services we provide to our users.
+Once you're connected, you'll probably want to sign up for an account. Why sign up you ask? Well, your DareNET account allows you to use and take full advantage of all the great features we provide, such as our IRC services (i.e., C, N, V, etc.), build and customize a user profile on the site, prevent others from using your nickname(s), register chat rooms (channels), and more.
-Now, on to the good stuff...
+== Signing up ==
-== NickServ Account Registration ==
+If you haven't already signed up for a DareNET account, do that first. Simply visit the [https://www.darenet.org/signup Sign up page] and create a new account.
-Your account name is an arbitrary name independent of your nickname. It is how NickServ, ChanServ and other services recognize you, and soon, how you'll login to our web site! Please keep in mind this is not nickname registration. We'll cover that a little later in this guide.
+NOTE: On DareNET, your account name is an arbitrary username independent of your IRC nickname (although, they can be the same, in some instances). It is how N, C and other services will recognize you on the IRC network, and is used to login to the website. In essence, it's how others will come to know and easily find you on DareNET. It is NOT nickname registration (don't worry, we'll cover that a little later in this guide), and cannot be changed.
-To register your account, type the following NickServ command:
+== Authenticating to N ==
-'''<code>/nickserv REGISTER accountname password email_address</code>'''
+''Also commonly referred to as identifying to and/or logging into N.''
-The e-mail address that you use '''must be valid''' as you will be sent a 'cookie' that you must supply back to NickServ to validate your account.
+Now that you have a DareNET account, you'll want to authenticate to N so you can actually use it on the IRC network. There are a few different ways you can do this, but we'll explain the most commonly used commands for this below:
-Please take note that assuming the nickname you are using is not currently registered it will automatically be bound to your account.
+<div class="usage">Usage: <code>/msg N@services.darenet.org AUTH <username|email@domain.tld> <password></code></div>
-=== Authenticating / Logging into NickServ ===
+Where <code><username|email@domain.tld></code> is your DareNET username or email address, and <code><password></code> is your account password. For example, let's say your username was ''JoeCool'' and your password was ''aPpLe321''. To authenticate, using the command shown above, you would simply use: <code>/msg N@services.darenet.org AUTH JoeCool aPpLe321</code> or <code>/msg N@services.darenet.org AUTH joecool@gmail.com aPpLe321</code>
-Once you have completed registration, you'll need to login to your account when you connect to DareNET to use it. You can do this by using one of the following commands:
+Alternatively, you can use the more condensed versions of the above command:
-'''<code>/nickserv AUTH password</code>'''
+<div class="usage">Usage: <code>/NS AUTH <username|email@domain.tld> <password></code></div>
-or
+-OR-
-'''<code>/auth password</code>
+<div class="usage">Usage: <code>/AUTH <username|<email@domain.tld> <password></code></div>
-If you are using a nickname that is not registered to your account, you can alternatively use
+If the command is used correctly, you will receive a notice from N similar to the following:
-'''<code>/nickserv accountname password</code>'''
+<pre>-N- Authentication as JoeCool successful. You are now logged in!
+-N- Remember, DareNET's staff will NEVER ask you for your account
+-N- password. The only place to receive assistance with account
+-N- related matters on DareNET is in #help</pre>
-or
+In addition to the authentication methods shown above, we also support a "login-on-connect" method, which will automatically log you into N while you're connecting to the network. It will also exempt you from any DNSBL checks, and automatically set user mode +x (hiding your host/ip address). For more information on how to set this feature up for your IRC client, go [http://www.darenet.org/support/loc here].
-'''<code>/auth accountname password</code>'''
+NOTE: [http://www.darenet.org/webchat Webchat] users can use the "login-on-connect" method simply by selecting the "Login to N" checkbox on the connection details page, and entering their DareNET account username and password.
-If the command is used correctly, NickServ will notice you with the following message:
+== Nicknames ==
-<pre>-NickServ- Authentication as YourAccountNameHere successful. You are now logged in!
+We allow users to register the nicknames they commonly used to their account. By registering your nicknames, you will be able to prevent others from using it -- securing your identify on the network. NOTE: You must be authenticated to your account and using the nickname you would like to register before using the command below:
--NickServ- Remember, DareNET's staff will NEVER ask you for your account
--NickServ- password. The only place to receive assistance with account
--NickServ- related matters on DareNET is in #Support</pre>
-Alternatively, our servers support a "Login-on-connect" method, which will automatically login you in to NickServ while you're connecting to our servers. It will also exempt you from any DNSBL checks. For more information on how to setup "Login-on-connect" for your IRC client, please go [http://www.darenet.org/rbl here].
+<div class="usage">Usage: <code>/msg N REGNICK</code></div>
-=== Registering your Nicknames ===
+If it's successful, you'll receive a notice from N similar to the following:
-You can register other nicknames you commonly use to your NickServ account. By registering your nicknames you'll be able to prevent others from using them. NOTE: you MUST be using the nickname you want to register AND logged into your NickServ account when using the below command:
+<pre>-N- Nick YOURNICK has been registered to you.</pre>
-'''<code>/nickserv regnick</code>'''
+{{info|text= Registering an account does not always mean you automatically own the associated nickname too. To prevent others from taking your nicknames, claim them using the step shown above.}}<br />
-If it's successful, NickServ will notice you a message like the following:
+== Hostmasking ==
-<pre>-NickServ- Nick NickHere has been registered to you.</pre>
+One of the perks of being a registered user is that you can hide your IP address/host from other users. A little extra piece of mind! If this is a feature you would like to take advantage of, simply use the following command (make sure you have authenticated to N):
-=== Hiding your IP address / Host ===
+<code>/mode yournickhere +x</code>
-DareNET allows its registered users to hide their IP address/host from other users for extra peace of mind. If you would like to use hostmasking, simply use the following command:
+Alternatively, you can have N automatically set you +x when you identify to your account. To do this, use the following command:
-'''<code>/mode yournickhere +x</code>'''
+<code>/msg N SET AUTOHIDE on</code>
-Alternatively, you can have NickServ automatically set you +x when you identify to your account. To do this, use the following command:
+== Securing your Account/Nickname ==
-'''<code>/nickserv SET AUTOHIDE on</code>'''
+We have a few suggestions for securing your account, which include:
-=== Securing your Account/NickName ===
+===Suggestion #1:===
-DareNET staff suggests a few optional and smart steps to securing your nickname.
+Enable N's RECLAIM option for your account:
-The first step would be to enable reclaim by typing the following:
+<code>/msg N SET RECLAIM on</code>
-'''<code>/nickserv SET RECLAIM on</code>'''
+N's RECLAIM option protects your nicknames when you are not using them. Should another user try to use any nicknames registered to your account, N will automatically change their nickname to something more suitable.
-When you have reclaim set your nick is protected from other users when you are offline, if a user tries to use any one of your nicknames without authenticating to your account then it will change there nickname after 1 minute automatically.
+===Suggestion #2:===
-The second step would be to add your own host with the following command:
+Add your own hostmask to your account's allowed hosts list:
-'''<code>/nickserv ADDMASK yourident@your.mask.here</code>'''
+<code>/msg N ADDMASK <yourident@your.mask.here></code>
-and then deleting the default mask with the following command:
+If you would like to add the host you're current using, simply omit the part after ADDMASK and just use: /msg N ADDMASK
-'''<code>/nickserv DELMASK *@*</code>'''
+Once you have performed the above command, you may delete the default mask set for your account by using the following command:
-This command will protect your account from being authenticated to without you being on any one of the specified hostmasks on your account. If you try to authenticate from a different hostmask that is not specified you will have to issue the "authcookie" command to get a cookie in your email.  Once you receive that cookie you can then authenticate to your nickname and add the mask if you wish.
+<code>/msg N DELMASK *@*</code>
-== Other General Information ==
+The above steps protect your account by denying logins from clients who's host does not match one of the specified hostmasks for your account. Should you try to authenticate from a different hostmask that is not specified you will have to issue N's AUTHCOOKIE command to have a cookie sent to your email. Once you receive that cookie, you can then authenticate to your nickname and add the mask if you wish.
-Some other general information that you should know:
+== Channel Registration ==
-=== Nick vs *Account ===
+As a registered user, you have the opportunity to register channels (chat rooms) with C, our channel services bot, which provides both useful and powerful features to aid channel owner's in maintaining and protecting their channel. For more information, please review our [http://www.darenet.org/channel_registration channel registration guidelines].
-When referencing to an account in ChanServ, NickServ, or any other service on DareNET for that matter, you should use *account, as shown in the example below:
+== Misc. Information ==
-{{Headerbox_blue
+Some more information that may prove useful:
-| text = <SomeUser> /nickserv info *nitemare
+=== Support Channel ===
--NickServ- Account Information for NiTeMaRe
+Should you ever find that you need assistance with something that is related to DareNET, or IRC in general, you can always step into our official support channel, [http://www.darenet.org/webchat?channels=help #help], where our trained support staff will be pleased to help you.
--NickServ- ----------------------------------------
+=== Nickname vs *Account ===
--NickServ- Registered on: Tue Mar 18 07:44:30 2008
+Most of the commands provided by N, C, or any other service on DareNET, allow for an account or online users to be referenced. When referencing an account, you should use <code>*account</code> (note the asterisk prefixed to the account name). For example:
--NickServ- Last seen: Right now!
+<pre><SomeUser> /msg N INFO *NiTeMaRe
+-N- Account Information for NiTeMaRe
+-N- ----------------------------------------
+-N- Registered on: Tue Mar 18 07:44:30 2008
+-N- Last seen: Right now!
+-N- Infoline: NiTeMaRe is cool!
+-N- ----------End of Account Info-----------
+</pre>
--NickServ- Infoline: NiTeMaRe is cool!
+This signals to services to use the account name directly, useful for when a user is offline and you want to add/remove them from your channel's userlist, send them a memo or even do a N INFO on their account. If you do not prefix the account name with an asterisk (*), services will treat it as a nickname that is currently being used on the network, which may not produce the outcome you expect!
--NickServ- ----------End of Account Info-----------
+=== Server-side Command Aliases ===
-}}
+We support a number of server-side aliases for various Services' (i.e., C, N, etc.), for those whose IRC clients support them. For a list of such aliases, go [[Command Aliases|here]].
-This is useful when a user is offline and you want to remove them from your channel's userlist, send them a memo, or even do a NickServ info on there account! If you do not put a * before there account then services will treat it as a nickname that is currently being used on DareNET.
+[[Category:All]] [[Category:New Users]]
-[[Category:Documentation]]