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[ OK ] loading newcomer.txt ................... done

[ OK ] initializing phosphor display .............. done

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[ OK ] you have (1) new transmission

:: HOW TO CONNECT TO IRC ::

A COMPLETE GUIDE FOR NEWCOMERS — rev. 1.0

01 :: PICK A CLIENT

An IRC client is the program you use to connect. Pick one based on your vibe:

Easiest (graphical, beginner-friendly)

HexChat — free, works on Windows/Mac/Linux, has Libera.Chat preconfigured. Start here if unsure. hexchat.github.io
Quassel — another solid GUI option, has built-in bouncer support

Old-school (terminal-based, maximum hacker feels)

irssi — the classic. sudo apt install irssi or brew install irssi
WeeChat — more modern, nicer defaults. sudo apt install weechat or brew install weechat

Mobile

Colloquy (iOS), Revolution IRC (Android), or the IRCCloud app

Web-based (zero install)

web.libera.chat — opens in your browser, works instantly

02 :: CONNECT TO LIBERA.CHAT

HexChat

Launch HexChat. The Network List appears automatically.
Set your nickname in the top field (if taken, you'll get auto-renamed to nick_).
Scroll down, find Libera.Chat, click it.
Click Connect.
You're in. Welcome message from the server scrolls by.

irssi

irssi
/connect irc.libera.chat

Want to set your nick first?

/set nick yourdesirednick
/connect irc.libera.chat

Web client

Go to web.libera.chat, type a nickname, optionally a channel, click Connect. Done.

03 :: REGISTER YOUR NICKNAME

Registering claims your nick permanently and gets you a cloak (hides your IP). Do this first, before anything else.

Pick a strong password — you'll use it often.

irc> /msg NickServ REGISTER yourpassword your@email.com

Libera sends a verification email within a minute or two. Check inbox (and spam). It contains a command like:

irc> /msg NickServ VERIFY REGISTER yournick abc123xyz

Copy that line into IRC and send it. You'll see "You have now verified..." — congratulations, you're registered.

From now on, every time you connect you'll log in with:

irc> /msg NickServ IDENTIFY yourpassword

Or better — set up SASL (next section) so this happens automatically.

04 :: SET UP SASL (AUTO-LOGIN)

SASL authenticates you during the connection, before you're visible to anyone. This gets you cloaked instantly and saves typing.

HexChat

Network List → select Libera.Chat → Edit
Login method: choose SASL (PLAIN)
Username: your registered nick
Password: your NickServ password
Close, reconnect. Auto-logged-in forever.

irssi

/network add -sasl_username yournick -sasl_password yourpass -sasl_mechanism PLAIN Libera
/server add -auto -network Libera irc.libera.chat 6697
/save

WeeChat

/set irc.server.libera.sasl_username "yournick"
/set irc.server.libera.sasl_password "yourpass"
/set irc.server.libera.sasl_mechanism plain
/save

Web client

Click the gear icon → enter nick + password in the SASL fields.

05 :: JOIN THE CHANNEL

Once connected and identified:

irc> /join #channelname

Replace #channelname with whatever the sysop gave you. The # is required — it's how IRC knows it's a channel.

A new tab/window/pane opens with users on the right and conversation in the middle.

To leave a channel:

irc> /part #channelname

To disconnect entirely:

irc> /quit optional goodbye message

06 :: THE 15 COMMANDS YOU NEED

Command	What it does
`/join #channel`	Join a channel
`/part #channel`	Leave a channel
`/msg nick text`	Send a private message
`/query nick`	Open a private chat window
`/whois nick`	See info about a user
`/nick newname`	Change your nickname
`/away reason`	Mark yourself as away
`/away`	Come back from away
`/me action`	Emote (e.g. `/me waves`)
`/topic`	See current channel topic
`/names`	List everyone in the channel
`/ignore nick`	Hide a user's messages
`/list`	List public channels (huge output)
`/help cmd`	Client-specific help
`/quit msg`	Disconnect

07 :: ETIQUETTE

A few things that'll keep you from looking like a newbie:

Don't say "hi everyone" and wait for a response. Just ask your actual question.
Don't paste more than 3–4 lines into the channel. Use bpa.st, paste.rs, or termbin.com.
Don't use color codes or ALL CAPS unless the channel does.
Be patient. Someone will reply in 10 minutes, or 2 hours, or tomorrow. Normal.
Lurk before you leap. Every channel has its own personality.
Don't private-message strangers without asking in-channel first.
/msg NickServ HELP and /msg ChanServ HELP when confused.

08 :: TROUBLESHOOTING

"Nickname is already in use" — someone has your nick. Try another, or if it's your stuck session: /msg NickServ GHOST yournick yourpass

"Cannot join channel (+r)" — requires registered nicks. Register and identify first.

"Cannot join channel (+i)" — invite-only. Ask an op.

Connection keeps dropping — try port 6697 (TLS) instead of 6667. Always use TLS.

Can't find verification email — check spam. Still missing? Ask in #libera.

Messages aren't sending — you might not be identified. /msg NickServ IDENTIFY yourpassword

09 :: NEXT STEPS

Once you're comfortable:

Set up a ZNC bouncer so you never miss messages offline
Learn your client's scripting — irssi and WeeChat are infinitely customizable
Enable local logging for a personal archive
Try Tor connection to Libera's onion service for strong privacy
Hop into other channels — #linux, #python, ##hardware. IRC is still alive in the right places.

TL;DR FOR THE IMPATIENT

Install HexChat
Connect to Libera.Chat with a nickname
/msg NickServ REGISTER password email@example.com → verify via email
Configure SASL in Network List for auto-login
/join #thechannel
Say hi. Start chatting.

Total time: 15 minutes. Welcome back to the old internet.