You can find Appropedians on IRC at Freenode in the #appropedia and #cotw channels.

IRC is an older protocol but very lightweight and it allows real time interaction. We like that!

A beginner's guide to IRC is a good primer. Be sure to see our policies and help below.

Channel guidelines

All Appropedia's policies and guidelines apply, in particular:

  • Be civil, cooperative and helpful - even if you strongly disagree with someone. The Appropedia community is very friendly, but there may still be a time when we need to read Freenode's Channel Guidelines, and remember to be a catalyst for better understanding.
  • All the obvious stuff - no spam etc. And you never know when you're talking to a 12 year old, so keep it "family friendly."

Using IRC

Web interface - this is easiest, but some people have problems. It may put a load on your browser.:

  • Freenode Java applet - enter channel appropedia and your username, or
  • Mibbit - select server freenode then channel appropedia and your username

Clients - run IRC in a separate program on your computer.

  • Chatzilla extension for Firefox and other Mozilla browsers. (cross-platform, works well). The Opera browser (proprietary but free of charge) includes IRC capability.
  • In Linux, xChat is a simple client. Heavy but easy options include Konversation and Pidgin. Irssi is extremely light and runs from the command line, but is confusing for those with limited experience.
  • In Windows, Trillian and Pidgin let you use IRC and several other kinds of chat. Geekier versions include xChat and even the command line Irssi.
  • In MacOSX, Pidgin, xChat and Irssi are available.
  • Wikipedia:Comparison of instant messaging clients

Making it happen

This could be a useful community resource, if a number of Appropedians are able to find IRC clients that they like and are happy to run full time, and that optionally alert the user to any activity on the channel.

Let's say 3 people to commit as a starting point - then there's a good chance of at least 2 being online at the same time, and of a random visitor finding one of us there. Sign up here, if you want to be a committed IRC member:

  • Chriswaterguy (talk · contribs) - I have configured my IRC program (Xchat) to run whenever the computer is on, and to beep every time someone posts in the channel. So there's a good chance I'll hear you if say hi while I'm there.

Administration

  • The #appropedia channel is registered to Chriswaterguy (someone had to do it - might be possible to share?).
  • Guard is set, with command /msg chanserv set #appropedia guard on - does this need to be done each time?
  • For reference, the Freenode page on its Philosophy includes "Community members benefit from better access to each other". Note the easy access to other projects within freenode, generally with obvious names, e.g. #mediawiki, #wikipedia, #php, #olpc #olpc-content, ##php. The double "##" signifies an unofficial channel. Also "Communication and coordination skills are important to community projects". Several more points - nothing surprising from an Appropedia perspective.

To be done:

  • Group Registration - we should probably wait until the new Group Management System is online (in development as of October 2010). Freenode's volunteers are currently swamped and it seems non-critical for us.
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