IRC

#^connect Template:IRC/ling For real-time chat with other Wikimedians, there are several Internet Relay Chat (IRC) channels, located on the freenode network (chat.freenode.net). #wikipedia is the main forum (see here for other channels); these are the responsibility of, and controlled by, the Group Contacts. If you don't use IRC, there are other communication methods, including a jabber chatroom at en.wiki@muc.jabber.org.

The recent changes channels are now located on the Wikimedia irc network (irc.wikimedia.org). A channel exists for all Wikimedia wikis which have been changed since the last time the server was restarted. In general, the name is just the domain name with the .org left off. For example, the changes on the English Wikipedia are available at #en.wikipedia.

If you're new to IRC see the IRC instructions for help.

• This page in Wikipedia: ar af bg ca cs da de en es et fa hi hu it ja ko nl pl ro ru sv zh-cn
• This page in Wikibooks: en
• This page in Wiktionary: en
• This page in Wikiversity : cs de en fr it pt

Nicknames

On IRC people you'll find a list of people whose nickname on IRC is different from their wikimedia username.

Many IRC clients allow automated login upon connection. Usually this is done by entering the username and password (or just password) as the "server password" in the client's settings. Some clients must be closed and restarted to recognize a server password or change of one; just disconnect/reconnect alone won't do it.

Hostmask Cloaks

IRC hostmask cloaks allow a user to replace their IRC hostname with a string such as wikimedia/JamesF. User cloaks allow you to show off your pride as a Wikipedia editor, hide your IP address for security and privacy reasons and prove that you are the user on Wikipedia with that user name. For more information, including instructions on how to obtain a cloak, see IRC cloaks.

See also

• IRC channels
• IRC office hours
• IRC channel scripts
• Wikibot
• Simple IRC RC Bot
• IRC Meeting Recommendations -- advice for how to have a happy, productive meeting via IRC

External links

• Webbased IRC-client for access to WMF-channels

• IRC statistics: most active users, random quotes and fun tibits:
  • #mediawiki stats by Fennec
  • #wikimedia stats by Fennec

• General IRC information:
  • Wikipedia articles on IRC: en bg cs da de es eo fi fr ia is it lt ms nl ja ko no pl pt ru simple sr sv zh
  • A guide to IRC
  • IRC channel search
  • A different search
  • IRC Help Archive
• freenode information:
  • freenode home page, FAQ, channel guidelines