This FAQ covers general information about the new IRC network and its associated services. Please review this information before requesting assistance from the Tech Rats with an issue.

How do I register a IRC Nick?

IRC Nicknames are registered through the webpage, NOT nickserv, as on normal networks. When you log on to the Fuel Rats website (under Profile > Overview), you are presented with an option on the left side of the overview page where you can add IRC nicknames.

Important Note: These guides assume you are using the status window of IRC, and NOT any chat channels. The TechRats recommend always using the main status channel when inputting passwords into IRC, just in case you forget a "/"!

Do not use /nickserv register!

The method below is the only way you can register nicknames on IRC. Do NOT use the NickServ REGISTER command on IRC, it will not work.


To register your first nickname: (DO THIS WITH A PLAIN NICKNAME WITHOUT ANY [TAGS])

  1. Log on to the FuelRats website. (Ensure that you have your CMDR(s) claimed)
  2. Hover over the weird face in the top right corner and select "My Profile".
  3. On the left side, you will see the IRC nicknames box. Enter your main nick (one that doesn't have any tags in it) into the first popup, click "Add". 
  4. Log on to IRC. Ensure your nick is the same nick you just registered. (You can use "/Nick <Nick>" to change nicknames!)
  5. Once you change to your nickname (or you logged in under it), NickServ will ask you to identify. Use "/msg nickserv identify <your password>" to identify yourself.
  6. Make sure you see a message along the lines of "You are now identified for <nickname>".. If you have completed your drill, you should also see a message that your hostname of xxx.rat.fuelrats.com has been activated. If you are drilled, and you do not see this message, see the "Check your vhost!" box below.

To register all other subsequent nicknames: (Such as Rat[PC] or Rat[Work])

  1. Ensure that you have fully registered your base nickname as instructed above.
  2. Return to your profile on the FuelRats website.
  3. Enter your subsequent nickname, including [tags], into the "Add a nickname..." box.
  4. Repeat for any further tags you wish to add.
  5. Verify that this has been completed by using the "/msg nickserv glist" command in IRC. You should receive a message with all your registered nicknames, which should match those shown on the website.


Check your vhost!

Do a /whois of yourself (/whois <your nickname>) and check to make sure you have a line saying "Xxx is logged in as Xxxxx". If you do not, and whois still includes the "You are identified for this nick" line, you either have not yet completed your drill, or there is a problem with your account. If you are a recruit (i.e, you have not yet completed your drill), this is normal - your vhost generally doesn't get set until you have been drilled. If you are drilled and still do not have the correct vhost, contact the Tech Rats through the Support page.

Identifying through SASL or SSL

Some clients support identification through SASL, which the Fuel Rats IRC network supports. Refer to Freenode's knowledge base on how to setup SASL for your particular client here

We also support SSL key fingerprints. If you set your client up with an SSL certificate, connect to the IRC server using the secure port (6697) and issue the command /msg nickserv cert add. Nickserv should report the certificate as added, and you will automatically identify when connecting. You can add multiple SSL certificates to Nickserv.









How do I setup my IRC Client?

We have basic IRC how-to guides located here

If you don't see a guide for your particular client on that page, most IRC Clients are well documented on their own respective websites.

What servers and ports are on the Fuel Rats Network?

You can connect to our IRC network by connecting to the following address:

SSL (Recommended):
Server: irc.fuelrats.com
    Port: +6697

Non-SSL:
Server: irc.fuelrats.com
    Port: 6667

Refer to the documentation of your IRC client on how to connect to an IRC server if you're not sure how.

Connecting to a specific server.

We currently have two active IRC servers on our network. By default, the irc.fuelrats.com address will attempt to connect you to the server geographically closest to you. If you wish to connect to a specific server, you can use the server addresses below:

US Server: irc.us.fuelrats.com

EU Server: irc.eu.fuelrats.com


Connecting via the web client

The Fuel Rats also have a Kiwi web client through which rats can connect if they are out travelling. The client is at: https://kiwi.fuelrats.com:7778/



What is the significance of the '+' marker in the channels?

The + mark (Normally called 'voice' in IRC terminology) is applied to drilled rats to make it easier for Dispatch to see who is fully drilled and ready for being dispatched on rescues. If you have been drilled, but do not have the + in front of your nick, first check to ensure that you are identified with Nickserv. If you are, and a WHOIS lookup of yourself indicates that you have a hostmask of recruit.fuelrats.com, please get in touch with the Tech Rats here: http://t.fuelr.at/help.

All identified rats have a vhost applied to them, in the format <nickname>.*.fuelrats.com. The roles may include recruit, rat, techrat, overseer, op, or netadmin. This identifies that rats have various roles in the network. Netadmins are tech-savvy individuals with network-wide IRC powers, enabling them to assist with issues such as connectivity problems, banning problematic users from the network, and more. Ops are the janitorial team of the channels, and they usually help maintain the Mischief environment by removing problematic users and reminding others of the Terms of Service and Code of Conduct when necessary.

What are the t.fuelr.at links Mecha gives out?

In general, t.fuelr.at links are simply shortened links. The links that show up in RatChat (and in PM, if dispatch clears the case by going !clear <nickname>) are direct links to unique pages generated for each case. Please do not edit a case’s details if it wasn’t yours.

I need to file paperwork for a case that was never on the bot.

If you need to file an old case or mecha was not operational, please get in touch with SuperManifolds on the IRC

I need to reset or change my IRC password

Your password is synced to your Fuel Rats account. Use the change password button on your Fuel Rats profile, or click "Forgot password?" on the login form.


2 Comments

  1. SurlySamurai

    Absolver

  2. Christopher Winters

    I feel like I cannot stress this enough, but #3 of How to register.. needs to somehow be way more prominently presented, since it happens a lot and it is rather painful walking folks through the aftermath after they participated in a case.

    Recently it has become very common to either skip registering IRC nicks in the first place or breaking them by not logging out of them prior to registering.

    Maybe we can circle back to it at a later point, too.. like in the SOP's IRC section, mentioning that if this has not been tackled yet, one cannot call for a case?