[auton-users] AUTON chat on irc

[Paul Komarek]

Hello,

We are evaluating whether or not we should support an IRC channel
("chatroom") for AUTON discussion.  At present we are using a publically
available server.  If we decide it is worth the effort, we'll create a
private server on which we can place appropriate access restrictions,
archive all conversations, and provide other irc-based services.  Among
other things, running our own server will likely provide fewer IRC
disconnections than we are currently experiencing.

At present, the volume of traffic on #auton is low and generally
on-topic, with 6 or 7 AUTON lab members participating yesterday and
today.  Even Andrew joined us (until his IRC connection died). We would
like to use #auton as a productivity enhancer, not detractor.  It's fine
to be friendly, of course.

If you would like to join us, we are at server irc.freenode.net, channel
#auton.  We are trying to make it easy participate.  Please let us know
if you have any problems.  Below are some suggested methods of
participation, as well as an ultra-short IRC primer.

HOWTO:
-----------------------------------------------------
1) If you are running mozilla and have the mozilla chat client installed
(true for all SCS facilitized machines I've checked), you can bookmark
this URL:

   irc://irc.freenode.net/#auton

If you get an error like "irc is not a valid such-and-such", then
mozilla probably does not have the chat client installed.  You can
install mozilla's chat client (usually easy, using an rpm), or read on
below.

2) You can find a link to the above URL on your "management" page of the
AUTON website.  The management page is where you edit your papers and
such.  You have to know your username and password in order to logon to
that page.  If you have forgotten one or both of those, as so many have,
contact Todd Kniola (kniola at cs.cmu.edu).

3) On the management page, there is also a link to a Java irc applet.
This client will (should) run on any browser that supports Java.  It is
a very minimal client.

4) Of course you can use any IRC client you like.  Popular clients
include xchat, mIRC, emacs (ask Dan), bitchx, and gaim (might need to do
this: tools->plugins->add->libirc.so, tools->accounts->add->irc from
menu).

IRC Primer, in order of importance.
---------------------------------------------------
*) Everything you type in your IRC client is sent to everyone in #auton,
unless do certain stuff (see below).

*) Each person has a nickname.  You can be logged in from multiple
machines, each with a different nickname.  For instance, you might see
pkomarek_home and pkomarek_laptop logged in simultaneously.

*) If you use someone's IRC nickname in a message you type, it is likely
that their IRC client will beep to let them know they are being
addressed.  If your IRC client doesn't beep and you want to change that
(or does beep and you don't like it), we'll try to help you reconfigure
it (or suggest a different client we know how to configure).

*) Of course, you can just write to everyone at once, and wait for
someone to notice your question or comment.

*) Anything you type that starts with a "/" will be interpreted as a
command.  Here are three useful IRC commands:

   /nick new_nick_name        <-- changes your nickname
   /msg somebody hello        <-- starts a private message with 
                                  another person
   /help                      <-- usually lists available commands

*) Many of us will be logged in 24x7.  To communicate how available we
are for chatting, look at the nicknames we're using:

   pkomarek_busy   ->    Ilease don't bug me unless really important
                         (I'm probably getting ready to meet Andrew =-)
   pkomarek_away   ->    I've stepped away from the keyboard, or am in 
                         and out.  I'll answer if it works out.
   pkomarek_sleep  ->    Don't bother writing to me.

   pkomarek_cmu    ->    All of these suggest that I'm likely to respond
   pkomarek_school
   pkomarek_office
   pkomarek_lab
   pkomarek_home
   pkomarek_slacker
   pkomarek_laptop


*) The freenode.net network is 100% run by volunteers, and the servers
are donated.  Sometimes a server goes down, and you'll be disconnected. 
It's no big deal, just reconnect.

Please let me know your questions, concerns, or ideas.

-Paul Komarek