Re: [cobalt-users] Another chat option (was Linux help)

["Dave" <dridel@xxxxxx>]

>
> I have a client (radio station) who's current server host only allows
40
> people into their chat server - not enough.
>
> Frankly, I know nothing about chat, how would you suggest I proceed?
>

Sorry it took sometime before responding and I will try to make this as
short, clear and easy as possible.  Anyone not wanting IRC info should
go stick it up their.....ummmm, I mean delete this e-mail <I am really
just kidding>

You need client software and here are some for windoze:

http://www.mirc.com/
http://www.ircle.com (Mac)

and one for 'nix although I've only IRC'd through windoze and others
have posted more:

http://www.xchat.org/

The mIRC page is especially helpul as it contains a lot of information
like chat FAQ's and other resources.
Once installed, open the software. Then goto
FILE........OPTIONS........CONNECT.  Select an IRC server (DALnet is one
of the most popular and therefore sometimes lagged - effnet and undernet
are also popular), and fill out the information which can all be fake.
Then click connect to IRC.  Watch the MOTD and other comments go by as
they may tell you things like 'nickname belongs to someone else...'
etc...

Once logged on, type:

/nickserv help
/chanserv help

Chanserv will allow you to set channel options and REGISTER a channel
( type /chanserv help REGISTER ).  The person that reg's the channel is
god, and decides who gets Channel Operator status (this is for control
to do things like kick and ban annoying people).  Anyways you register
say #WKYZradio as a channel/room.  It is now yours as long as at least
ONE USER enters the room at least once every 30 days whcih shouldn't be
a problem. Now PLAY - click all the buttons, drop down all the menu
items...you'll find things like channel search/listing, areas for
running scripts <come in handy when you control the room>....Now get a
Coke....

Next add a chat section to your website.  Use something like the earlier
mentioned http://www.jpilot.com software which creates the
gateway/window to your IRC channel from your web page.
You can view a demo @ jpilot.com OR http://www.dalnet.com (the homepage
of the IRC server and another good resource to learn about IRC).  I
believe that once you have created a room you can still be a Channel Op
through the web interface.  Heck, you may even be able to run /chanserv
help REGISTER right from this interface as well and skip the joy of
learning IRC :)

I would recommend providing the links to IRC software like mIRC and
IRCle on the chat page as well.  People will download it and log onto
IRC and not only visit your channel/room but find about 7500 other
channels/rooms with a plethora of information! Did I really just type
'plethora'????

IRC is really VERY easy once you start to get the hang of it.  Just
remember that IRC is also one of the LARGEST PLAYGROUNDS for hack3rs,
crack3rs, jerks and goofs!  All which can mostly be controlled.  Some of
the more popular rooms have as many as 150 users.  I'm not sure what
kind of *drain* this type of chat set-up will have on your system, but
at least you aren't HOSTING the chat anymore!

Anyhow, sorry to make this a long book but I guess I'm trying very hard
to return knowlege to this group.  I started out being *forced* into the
Sys Admin role in December.  Since then this list has helped me through
chkrootkit, logcheck & portsentry, ipchains, chown & chmod and too many
other quick tips to even list!  I even own several Linux books and
currently setting up a linux server locally to learn- said the
long-time-windows-user.  So, thank you to everyone that has helped on
this list, it really is very much appreciated by some of us *voyuers* on
the list who will return any and all help ONCE our knowlege level
increases :)

Dave
* any and all wrong, faked or simply BS material written here is not my
fault! <again, JUST KIDDING> :)