This document contains step by step instructions to install chatzilla as a firefox add-on and connect to drupal chatrooms. At the end is a brief cheatsheet and additional links.

1. Instructions for Installing an IRC Client
This demonstrates installing Chatzilla which works as a Firefox add-on. On the last pages
you will also find a brief IRC cheatsheet.
Pre-requisite: Of course you have to have Firefox on your computer since Chatzilla works as
a Firefox plugin! Please visit this page to download and install Firefox –
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/upgrade.html.
Other Popular Clients you can Try:
Colloquy (Mac, has the most “Mac-Like” UI, free)
X-Chat (Windows and Linux, free)
mIRC (popular on Windows, shareware)
Many Others either free or for pay see this discussion on groups.drupal.org (with links to other
sites):
http://groups.drupal.org/node/2326
Steps:
Go to: http://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/16,
then CLICK “Add to FireFox”

2. CLICK “Install Now”
Restart Firefox when prompted...

3. Start Chatzilla: Tools->Chatzilla
Here is the initial view... (go to next step)

4. We need to tell Chatzilla what we want to use for a nickname. Best
practice is to use your drupal.org username.
Select ChatZilla->Preferences...
In the Global Settings, enter your Nickname, then click OK

5. Drupal uses the freenode network. There is a link right on the Chatzilla
home page! Click the “freenode” link.

6. After connecting to freenode you'll see a tab on the bottom like this...
Go to next step

7. Next we need to tell Chatzilla what channels we want to talk in. There are
many drupal channels!
Select IRC->Join channel...
Enter #drupal in the “Quick Search” box. It will take a minute, but then
you'll see all the drupal channels.
Click the channel you want to join, then OK. (Repeat for each additional)

8. You can see the new tabs at the bottom of the window.
You are ready to start chatting!

9. IRC Cheatsheet (Superbrief!!)
Note: For additional information the handbook page on how to make effective use of IRC is
here – http://drupal.org/irc. Please make sure to review that!
How to chat:
Assumption: You have a client set up and know how to connect to a chatroom.
Most IRC clients will simply have a one line text box towards the bottom of the screen. Simply type
something and press [ENTER]. You should immediately see it in the chatroom.
Specific things you can type...
1. Many people may be talking at once about different things. Want to say something to someone
specific (for example answering their question)? Start your comment with username:
“Username:Your problem can be solved with this module.”
2. Actions. Actions are a fun way to spice up the conversation. They are displayed differently in the
chatroom.
/me nods
/me goes off to find that reference
/me rubs chin in thought
3. Going to step away for awhile (but want to keep the chatroom open so you can see what folks were
talking about while you were away)? Set your status to away...
/away getting lunch
Are you back? Just type /away with nothing after...
4. Private Messages. It is possible to send a message to someone and NOT have it be displayed in
the channel (a private message). You should always ask first! It is considered very rude to just start a
private conversation. Asking to have a private message is as simple as typing “username, pm?”
Abusing the private message concept is a sure way to get people in Drupal rooms to ignore you. To
give some context I don't remember ever needing to have a private message with someone
/msg username message
5. Using the Druplicon IRC bot. Lots to cover here. Best is to hit this page for information...
http://www.disobey.com/bot
The short of it is that there is a programmed IRC bot called Druplicon that monitors many of the
#drupal channels. It (he? She? ;) supports a variety of commands and features that can make Drupal
IRC channels much more fun and informative. Note - for some of the below you need to address
Druplicon as a user (by typing Druplicon: first), for others not. Couple of quick examples...
- Any drupal.org node number (or full path) by itself and drupalicon will respond!
<you> 36602?
<Druplicon> http://drupal.org/node/36602 => How to enact change within the Drupal community => 17
IRC mentions
seen username? (druplicon will respond with when they last made a statement and in what drupal chat

10. room!)
Druplicon: tell username whatever you want to tell them (Next time that user posts anything in any
IRC channel monitored by Druplicon it will print out whatever you wanted to tell them. Great way to
pass a message along. Note I have to type Druplicon: for this one)
karma++ (or --), example
winstond++ (would add 1 to my karma)
Druplicon: karma winstond (would print my current karma points. Note I have to type Druplicon: for
this one)
It's a lot of fun to interact with Druplicon, and very helpful too. A fun way to practice with the Druplicon
is to start your own private conversation with Druplicon. To do this in whatever IRC program you are
using (chatzilla, whatever) go to the user list for the channel you are in and find Druplicon. Right click
on the name Druplicon and select “Private Message”. This will pop open a new tab where you are
communicating only with Druplicon. Use this window to practice some of the techniques and
commands for interacting with Druplicon as discussed on http://www.disobey.com/bot. However,
remember that just because it is a private conversation if you use commands to change karma or tell
other users things etc. those are live commands.