Chat Room Help

Joining The Chat Room

To use the chat room you have two options. Use whichever method you prefer and works best for you.

Option 1: An IRC client application. We highly recommend the free XChat for Windows. The shareware mIRC for Windows is a popular alternative. Regardless of what program you use, connect to the synIRC IRC server at irc.synirc.net and join the channel #pabook (see "basic commands" below for help with this).

Option 2: The web-based system. This method is very easy to use, requiring only your web browser. Just visit synIRC Webchat, enter your chosen nickname and then click the "Login" button.

Basic Commands

If you used the web-based system as instructed you should be in #pabook already. If you are using an IRC client the first thing you need to do is connect to #pabook. Do this now by typing the following and hitting enter (you must be connected to the synIRC server at irc.synirc.net first).


Now you are in the chat room you can start talking to the other users there. The next thing you might want to consider doing is changing your nickname. You can do this with the following command.


Where <newnickname> is of course the name you want to use. If you want to protect your name from being used by anyone else you need to register it. Do so with the following command.


Where <password> is the password you will use to identify yourself in the future and <email> is a working email address. After you have registered your nickname you will receive a verification email to the address you used. You must follow the instructions in the email to finish your account registration. After that you can identify yourself to the server in future with the following command.


Where <password> is the one you used when you registered your nickname. Use this command in the future after changing your nickname to the one you previously registered.

That's all you really need to know to get started. Have fun!

Further Help

If you need assistance with connecting to or using the chat room please start a topic in the Community Talk forum and we'll be glad to help.

Chat Room Guidelines

Last updated 2006-10-03

Quick Look

A. Introduction
B. General Rules
C. Bots and Scripts
D. Access Levels
E. Operator Action and Enforcement
>. Useful Links

A. Introduction

These are the official guidelines for chatting in #pabook on ZiRC. The guidelines are not set in stone and may be changed without notice. [See B]

While bots and special scripts are allowed, they have a great potential for causing trouble and as such there are strict rules governing their use. [See C]

Pabook.net Member, Member+, Member++ users and unregistered guests all receive the same access level in #pabook. The Pabook.net team of moderators, admin, founder and Calum (an ex-moderator) are the #pabook channel Operators ("Ops"). [See D]

Due to our small size and casual atmosphere, channel operators rarely have to use their magical powers (beyond changing the channel topic). It is occasionally necessary for an operator to kick or ban a member or to change the channel modes. Operators may take action at their own discretion and without prior notice. [See E]

B. General Rules

In a nutshell: ("Help, I'm trapped in this shell!")

1. All applicable forum rules apply to the IRC channel
2. Regular chat text should not have any kind of formatting
3. Try to specify if a link is Not Safe For Work ("NSFW")
4. Act like you got some sense
5. If you can help it, don't be a jerk

Conflict resolution:

While healthy debate is encouraged, disruptive arguments and bickering will not be tolerated. It is the responsibility of the chatters involved to resolve their problems. Chatters are encouraged to make use of the Query* command in order to settle problems outside of the channel. If necessary, a member may choose to use the Ignore* command on other chatters in order to maintain the peace. If disruptive issues are not resolved by the involved parties, operators may choose to kick or ban the conflicting chatter(s) at which point they may plead their case to an Op via Query* or via a PM at Pabook.net.

C. Bots and Scripts

If you wish to use a bot or a script, you should first get permission from an Op, or risk having your bot or yourself kicked or banned without notice. Remember to ask first.

Bots should be seen and not heard, if they need to exist at all. If a bot must communicate with chatters, it should be via private messages or another unobtrusive method.

Try to avoid using repetitive "Now Playing" music scripts, especially at times when the channel is active, as they may interrupt the flow of a discussion.

If a bot is causing a problem, the owner will be notified. If nothing is done to resolve the problem, or if the owner cannot be found, the bot may be kicked or banned.

D. Access Levels

Only Pabook.Net staff are given Auto-Op ("AOP") access levels. Everyone else is given normal access, however Operators may choose to change member modes at their discretion as they see fit.

Do not request a different access level, because you won't get it. There is no need for anyone other than Pabook.net staff to have an adjusted access level.

E. Operator Action and Enforcement

The rule of thumb in the channel is that what the Ops say goes. If they create guidelines on the fly, try to follow them as best you can. We Ops promise that our requests won't be too unreasonable.

If you disagree with the actions of an Op, discuss it with him first via Query* in IRC or via PM at the forums. If you feel that an issue is not resolved, post a topic in the Help & Feedback forum.

If a guideline seems blatantly unreasonable you may discuss it via Query* or PM with an Op. In the meantime you should follow the guideline or leave the channel until your issue is resolved.

>. Useful Links

• Help & Feedback forum

This page is maintained by Pabook.net Staff, and was written as a group effort by everyone in #pabook
All suggestions for new guidelines and changes will be considered. PM an Op at the forums with your ideas.