Community and web resources/IRC
Contents
The #context IRC channel
There is an IRC channel at libera.chat. There are about 5-10 users online regularly, and there used to be the TeXbot maintained by Troy Henderson that allows real-time testing of ConTeXt, MetaPost, and LaTeX code.
See further down to learn how to use the bot; the basic IRC commands; and how to start using IRC in general. Sorry about putting the most introductory section at the bottom; it is there because it is also the longest section.
Using the bot
ConTeXt: !c This is \contextversionnumber MetaPost: !m draw fullcircle scaled 72; LaTeX: !l Here is my formula: \(\int_a^b f(x)\,dx = F(b)-F(a)\)
The bot will respond with a link to the output.
Basic IRC commands
Command | Parameters | Action |
---|---|---|
/join | #channelname | join the channel #channelname |
/me | a message | return a message as an action message |
/msg | nickname a message | start a private chat with nickname |
/nick | newnickname | change your nickname to newnickname |
/notice | nickname a short message | send a short message to nickname without opening up a private window |
/part | a message | leave the channel |
/quit | a message | leave the irc server |
/whois | nickname | get more information about user nickname |
/chat | nickname | chat with nickname |
/help | a topic | get help on a topic |
Installing and using ChatZilla
ChatZilla is a multiplatform irc extension for Firefox. The installation can be performed as follows:
- Select Tools > Extensions.
- In the search box, type: irc
- Click the Search icon.
- Click the Install button beside ChatZilla.
- Restart Firefox.
An other method is to use this quick install link [1] and restart Firefox.
Once ChatZilla is installed you can use [[2]] to access to the freenode irc server or go directly to the #context channel with [[3]].
Now you have to choose your nickname according to [4]. In the bottom left corner, click on your current nickname and select "Change nickname...". If the chosen nickname is already used by someone else, change it if you want to perform a registration in order to use the same nickname for future #context sessions. Once you have a valid nickname, you can register it by entering the following command in the bottom interaction line: /msg nickserv register yourpasswd
In future sessions, you will use the same registered nickname by identifying yourself with the command: /msg nickserv identify yourpasswd
If you are not connected to the #context channel yet, you can use /join #context
To quit #context without being disconnected of freenode.net: /part a message,
To quit freenode.net: /quit a message