Merge from emacs--rel--22
[bpt/emacs.git] / doc / misc / erc.texi
1 \input texinfo
2 @c %**start of header
3 @setfilename ../../info/erc
4 @settitle ERC Manual
5 @c %**end of header
6
7 @dircategory Emacs
8 @direntry
9 * ERC: (erc). Powerful, modular, and extensible IRC client for Emacs.
10 @end direntry
11
12 @syncodeindex fn cp
13
14 @copying
15 This manual is for ERC version 5.3.
16
17 Copyright @copyright{} 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
18
19 @quotation
20 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
21 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or
22 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no
23 Invariant Sections, Front-Cover texts, or Back-Cover Texts. A copy of
24 the license is included in the section entitled ``GNU Free
25 Documentation License'' in the Emacs manual.
26
27 This document is part of a collection distributed under the GNU Free
28 Documentation License. If you want to distribute this document
29 separately from the collection, you can do so by adding a copy of the
30 license to the document, as described in section 6 of the license.
31
32 All Emacs Lisp code contained in this document may be used, distributed,
33 and modified without restriction.
34 @end quotation
35 @end copying
36
37 @titlepage
38 @title ERC manual
39 @subtitle a full-featured IRC client
40 @subtitle for GNU Emacs and XEmacs
41
42 @c The following two commands
43 @c start the copyright page.
44 @page
45 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
46 @insertcopying
47 @end titlepage
48
49 @c So the toc is printed at the start
50 @contents
51
52 @ifnottex
53 @node Top, Introduction, (dir), (dir)
54 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
55 @top ERC
56
57 @insertcopying
58 @end ifnottex
59
60 @menu
61 * Introduction:: What is ERC?
62 * Obtaining ERC:: How to get ERC releases and development
63 versions.
64 * Installation:: Compiling and installing ERC.
65 * Getting Started:: Quick Start guide to using ERC.
66 * Keystroke Summary:: Keystrokes used in ERC buffers.
67 * Modules:: Available modules for ERC.
68 * Advanced Usage:: Cool ways of using ERC.
69 * Getting Help and Reporting Bugs::
70 * History:: The history of ERC.
71 * Copying:: The GNU General Public License gives you
72 permission to redistribute ERC on
73 certain terms; it also explains that
74 there is no warranty.
75 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation.
76 * Concept Index:: Search for terms.
77
78 @detailmenu
79 --- The Detailed Node Listing ---
80
81 Obtaining ERC
82
83 * Releases:: Released versions of ERC.
84 * Development:: Latest unreleased development changes.
85
86 Getting Started
87
88 * Sample Session:: Example of connecting to the #emacs channel
89 * Special Features:: Differences from standalone IRC clients
90
91 Advanced Usage
92
93 * Connecting:: Ways of connecting to an IRC server.
94 * Sample Configuration:: An example configuration file.
95 * Options:: Options that are available for ERC.
96
97 @end detailmenu
98 @end menu
99
100 @node Introduction, Obtaining ERC, Top, Top
101 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
102 @chapter Introduction
103
104 ERC is a powerful, modular, and extensible IRC client for Emacs.
105
106 It comes with the following capabilities enabled by default.
107
108 @itemize @bullet
109 @item Flood control
110 @item Timestamps
111 @item Join channels automatically
112 @item Buttonize URLs, nicknames, and other text
113 @item Wrap long lines
114 @item Highlight or remove IRC control characters
115 @item Highlight pals, fools, and other keywords
116 @item Detect netsplits
117 @item Complete nicknames and commands in a programmable fashion
118 @item Make displayed lines read-only
119 @item Input history
120 @item Track channel activity in the mode-line
121
122 @end itemize
123
124 @node Obtaining ERC, Installation, Introduction, Top
125 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
126 @chapter Obtaining ERC
127
128 @menu
129 * Releases:: Released versions of ERC.
130 * Development:: Latest unreleased development changes.
131 @end menu
132
133 Note that some ERC files are not included with Emacs due to copyright or
134 dependency issues. If desired, they may be found at the following
135 locations, or from your local GNU mirror.
136
137 @itemize @bullet
138 @item @uref{http://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/erc/erc-5.3-extras.tar.gz}
139 @item @uref{http://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/erc/erc-5.3-extras.zip}
140 @end itemize
141
142 The rest of this chapter may be skipped if you are using the version of
143 ERC that comes with Emacs.
144
145 @node Releases, Development, Obtaining ERC, Obtaining ERC
146 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
147 @section Releases
148
149 Choose to install a release if you want to minimize risk.
150
151 Errors are corrected in development first. User-visible changes will be
152 announced on the @email{erc-discuss@@gnu.org} mailing list.
153 @pxref{Getting Help and Reporting Bugs}.
154
155 @cindex releases, Debian package
156 @cindex Debian package for ERC
157 Debian users can get ERC via apt-get. The @file{erc} package is
158 available in the official Debian repository.
159
160 @cindex releases, from source
161 Alternatively, you can download the latest release from
162 @uref{http://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/erc}, or your local GNU mirror.
163
164 @node Development, , Releases, Obtaining ERC
165 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
166 @section Development
167 @cindex development
168
169 Choose the development version if you want to live on the bleeding edge
170 of ERC development or try out new features before release.
171
172 @cindex git version control system, using
173 The git version control system allows you to keep up-to-date with the
174 latest changes to the development version of ERC. It also allows you
175 to contribute changes (via commits, if you are have developer access to
176 the repository, or via patches, otherwise). If you would like to
177 contribute to ERC development, it is highly recommended that you use
178 git.
179
180 If you are new to git, you might find this tutorial helpful:
181 @uref{http://www.kernel.org/pub/software/scm/git/docs/tutorial.html}.
182
183 Downloading ERC with git and staying up-to-date involves the following
184 steps.
185
186 @enumerate
187 @item Install git.
188
189 @itemize @bullet
190 @item Debian and Ubuntu: @kbd{apt-get install git-core}.
191 @item Windows: @uref{http://git.or.cz/gitwiki/WindowsInstall}.
192 @item Other operating systems: download, compile, and install the source
193 from @uref{http://www.kernel.org/pub/software/scm/git/}, or find a git
194 package for your operating system.
195 @end itemize
196
197 @item Download the ERC development branch.
198
199 If you have developer access to ERC, do:
200
201 @example
202 git clone ssh://loginname@@git.sv.gnu.org/srv/git/erc.git
203 @end example
204
205 otherwise, do:
206
207 @example
208 git clone git://git.sv.gnu.org/erc.git
209 @end example
210
211 If you are behind a restrictive firewall, and do not have developer
212 access, then do the following instead:
213
214 @example
215 git clone http://git.sv.gnu.org/r/erc.git
216 @end example
217
218 @item List upstream changes that are missing from your local copy.
219 Do this whenever you want to see whether new changes have been committed
220 to ERC. If you wish, you may skip this step and proceed directly to
221 the ``update'' step.
222
223 @example
224 # Change to the source directory you are interested in.
225 cd erc
226
227 # Fetch new changes from the repository, but don't apply them yet
228 git fetch origin
229
230 # Display log messages for the new changes
231 git log HEAD..origin
232 @end example
233
234 ``origin'' is git's name for the location where you originally got ERC
235 from. You can change this location at any time by editing the
236 @file{.git/config} file in the directory where the ERC source was
237 placed.
238
239 @cindex updating ERC with git
240 @item Update to the latest version by pulling in any missing changes.
241
242 @example
243 cd erc
244 git pull origin
245 @end example
246
247 git will show how many files changed, and will provide a visual display
248 for how many lines were changed in each file.
249
250 @end enumerate
251
252 There are other ways to interact with the ERC repository.
253
254 @itemize
255 @item Browse git repo: @uref{http://git.sv.gnu.org/gitweb/?p=erc.git}
256 @item Latest development snapshot: @uref{http://mwolson.org/static/dist/erc-latest.tar.gz}
257 @item Latest development snapshot (zip file): @uref{http://mwolson.org/static/dist/erc-latest.zip}
258 @end itemize
259
260 The latest development snapshot can lag behind the git repo by as much
261 as 20 minutes, but never more than that.
262
263 For further information on committing changes to ERC and performing
264 development, please consult
265 @uref{http://emacswiki.org/cgi-bin/wiki/ErcDevelopment}.
266
267
268 @node Installation, Getting Started, Obtaining ERC, Top
269 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
270 @chapter Installation
271
272 ERC may be compiled and installed on your machine.
273
274 This section may be skipped if you are using the version of ERC that
275 comes with Emacs.
276
277 @subsubheading Compilation
278
279 This is an optional step, since Emacs Lisp source code does not
280 necessarily have to be byte-compiled. It will yield a speed increase,
281 though.
282
283 A working copy of Emacs or XEmacs is needed in order to compile ERC. By
284 default, the program that is installed with the name @command{emacs}
285 will be used.
286
287 If you want to use the @command{xemacs} binary to perform the
288 compilation, you would need to edit @file{Makefile} in the top-level
289 directory as follows. You can put either a full path to an Emacs or
290 XEmacs binary or just the command name, as long as it is in the
291 @env{PATH}.
292
293 @example
294 EMACS = xemacs
295 SITEFLAG = -no-site-file
296 @end example
297
298 Running @code{make} should compile the ERC source files in the
299 @file{lisp} directory.
300
301 @subsubheading Installation
302
303 ERC may be installed into your file hierarchy by doing the following.
304
305 Edit the @file{Makefile} file so that @env{ELISPDIR} points to where you
306 want the source and compiled ERC files to be installed and
307 @env{INFODIR} indicates where to put the ERC manual. Of course, you
308 will want to edit @env{EMACS} and @env{SITEFLAG} as shown in the
309 Compilation section if you are using XEmacs.
310
311 If you are installing ERC on a Debian system, you might want to change
312 the value of @env{INSTALLINFO} as specified in @file{Makefile}.
313
314 Run @code{make} as a normal user.
315
316 Run @code{make install} as the root user if you have chosen installation
317 locations that require this.
318
319
320 @node Getting Started, Keystroke Summary, Installation, Top
321 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
322 @chapter Getting Started
323 @cindex settings
324
325 To use ERC, add the directory containing its files to your
326 @code{load-path} variable, in your @file{.emacs} file. Then, load ERC
327 itself. An example follows.
328
329 @lisp
330 (require 'erc)
331 @end lisp
332
333 Once ERC is loaded, the command @kbd{M-x erc} will start ERC and
334 prompt for the server to connect to.
335
336 If you want to place ERC settings in their own file, you can place them
337 in @file{~/.emacs.d/.ercrc.el}, creating it if necessary.
338
339 If you would rather use the Customize interface to change how ERC works,
340 do @kbd{M-x customize-group RET erc RET}. In particular, ERC comes with
341 lots of modules that may be enabled or disabled; to select which ones
342 you want, do @kbd{M-x customize-variable RET erc-modules RET}.
343
344 @menu
345 * Sample Session:: Example of connecting to the #emacs channel
346 * Special Features:: Differences from standalone IRC clients
347 @end menu
348
349 @node Sample Session, Special Features, Getting Started, Getting Started
350 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
351 @section Sample Session
352
353 This is an example ERC session which shows how to connect to the #emacs
354 channel on Freenode. Another IRC channel on Freenode that may be of
355 interest is #erc, which is a channel where ERC users and developers hang
356 out.
357
358 @itemize @bullet
359
360 @item Connect to Freenode
361
362 Run @kbd{M-x erc}. Use ``irc.freenode.net'' as the IRC server, ``6667''
363 as the port, and choose a nickname.
364
365 @item Get used to the interface
366
367 Switch to the ``irc.freenode.net:6667'' buffer, if you're not already
368 there. You will see first some messages about checking for ident, and
369 then a bunch of other messages that describe the current IRC server.
370
371 @item Join the #emacs channel
372
373 In that buffer, type ``/join SPC #emacs'' and hit @kbd{RET}. Depending
374 on how you've set up ERC, either a new buffer for ``#emacs'' will be
375 displayed, or a new buffer called ``#emacs'' will be created in the
376 background. If the latter, switch to the ``#emacs'' buffer. You will
377 see the channel topic and a list of the people who are currently on the
378 channel.
379
380 @item Register your nickname with Freenode
381
382 If you would like to be able to talk with people privately on the
383 Freenode network, you will have to ``register'' your nickname. To do
384 so, switch to the ``irc.freenode.net:6667'' buffer and type ``/msg
385 NickServ register <password>'', replacing ``<password>'' with your
386 desired password. It should tell you that the operation was successful.
387
388 @item Talk to people in the channel
389
390 If you switch back to the ``#emacs'' buffer, you can type a message, and
391 everyone on the channel will see it.
392
393 @item Open a query buffer to talk to someone
394
395 If you want to talk with someone in private (this should usually not be
396 done for technical help, only for personal questions), type ``/query
397 <nick>'', replacing ``<nick>'' with the nickname of the person you would
398 like to talk to. Depending on how ERC is set up, you will either see a
399 new buffer with the name of the person, or such a buffer will be created
400 in the background and you will have to switch to it. Begin typing
401 messages, and you will be able to have a conversation.
402
403 Note that if the other person is not registered, you will not be able to
404 talk with them.
405
406 @end itemize
407
408 @node Special Features, , Sample Session, Getting Started
409 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
410 @section Special Features
411
412 ERC has some features that distinguish it from some IRC clients.
413
414 @itemize @bullet
415
416 @item multiple channels and multiple servers
417
418 Every channel is put in a separate buffer. Several IRC servers may be
419 connected to at the same time.
420
421 @cindex query buffers
422 @item private message separation
423
424 Private conversations are treated as channels, and are put into separate
425 buffers in Emacs. We call these ``query buffers''.
426
427 @item highlighting
428
429 Some occurrences of words can be highlighted, which makes it easier to
430 track different kinds of conversations.
431
432 @item notification
433
434 ERC can notify you that certain users are online.
435
436 @item channel tracking
437
438 Channels can be hidden and conversation continue in the background. You
439 are notified when something is said in such a channel that is not
440 currently visible. This makes it easy to get Real Work done while still
441 maintaining an IRC presence.
442
443 @item nick completion
444
445 ERC can complete words upon hitting @kbd{TAB}, which eases the writing
446 of nicknames in messages.
447
448 @cindex history ring
449 @item history
450
451 Past actions are kept in history rings for future use. To navigate a
452 history ring, hit @kbd{M-p} to go backwards and @kbd{M-n} to go
453 forwards.
454
455 @item multiple languages
456
457 Different channels and servers may have different language encodings.
458
459 In addition, it is possible to translate the messages that ERC uses into
460 multiple languages. Please contact the developers of ERC at
461 @email{erc-discuss@@gnu.org} if you are interested in helping with the
462 translation effort.
463
464 @item user scripting
465
466 Users can load scripts (e.g. auto greeting scripts) when ERC starts up.
467
468 It is also possible to make custom IRC commands, if you know a little
469 Emacs Lisp. Just make an Emacs Lisp function and call it
470 @code{erc-cmd-NEWCOMMAND}, where @code{NEWCOMMAND} is the name of the
471 new command in capital letters.
472
473 @item auto reconnect
474
475 If the connection goes away at some point, ERC will try to reconnect
476 automatically. If it fails to reconnect, and you want to try to
477 manually reestablish the connection at some later point, switch to an
478 ERC buffer and run the @code{/RECONNECT} command.
479
480 @end itemize
481
482
483 @node Keystroke Summary, Modules, Getting Started, Top
484 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
485 @chapter Keys Used in ERC
486 @cindex keystrokes
487
488 This is a summary of keystrokes available in every ERC buffer.
489
490 @table @kbd
491
492 @item C-a or <home> (`erc-bol')
493 Go to beginning of line or end of prompt.
494
495 @item RET (`erc-send-current-line')
496 Send the current line
497
498 @item TAB (`erc-complete-word')
499 If at prompt, complete the current word.
500 Otherwise, move to the next link or button.
501
502 @item M-TAB (`ispell-complete-word')
503 Complete the given word, using ispell.
504
505 @item C-c C-a (`erc-bol')
506 Go to beginning of line or end of prompt.
507
508 @item C-c C-b (`erc-iswitchb')
509 Use `iswitchb-read-buffer' to prompt for a ERC buffer to switch to.
510
511 @item C-c C-c (`erc-toggle-interpret-controls')
512 Toggle interpretation of control sequences in messages.
513
514 @item C-c C-d (`erc-input-action')
515 Interactively input a user action and send it to IRC.
516
517 @item C-c C-e (`erc-toggle-ctcp-autoresponse')
518 Toggle automatic CTCP replies (like VERSION and PING).
519
520 @item C-c C-f (`erc-toggle-flood-control')
521 Toggle use of flood control on sent messages.
522
523 @item C-c TAB (`erc-invite-only-mode')
524 Turn on the invite only mode (+i) for the current channel.
525
526 @item C-c C-j (`erc-join-channel')
527 Join channel. If point is at the beginning of a channel name, use that
528 as default.
529
530 @item C-c C-k (`erc-go-to-log-matches-buffer')
531 Interactively open an erc-log-matches buffer
532
533 @item C-c C-l (`erc-save-buffer-in-logs')
534 Append buffer contents to the log file, if logging is enabled.
535
536 @item C-c C-n (`erc-channel-names')
537 Run "/names #channel" in the current channel.
538
539 @item C-c C-o (`erc-get-channel-mode-from-keypress')
540 Read a key sequence and call the corresponding channel mode function.
541 After doing @kbd{C-c C-o}, type in a channel mode letter.
542
543 @kbd{C-g} means quit.
544 @kbd{RET} lets you type more than one mode at a time.
545 If @kbd{l} is pressed, @code{erc-set-channel-limit} gets called.
546 If @kbd{k} is pressed, @code{erc-set-channel-key} gets called.
547 Anything else will be sent to `erc-toggle-channel-mode'.
548
549 @item C-c C-p (`erc-part-from-channel')
550 Part from the current channel and prompt for a reason.
551
552 @item C-c C-q (`erc-quit-server')
553 Disconnect from current server after prompting for reason.
554
555 @item C-c C-r (`erc-remove-text-properties-region')
556 Clears the region (start,end) in object from all colors, etc.
557
558 @item C-c C-t (`erc-set-topic')
559 Prompt for a topic for the current channel.
560
561 @item C-c C-u (`erc-kill-input')
562 Kill current input line using `erc-bol' followed by `kill-line'.
563
564 @end table
565
566
567 @node Modules, Advanced Usage, Keystroke Summary, Top
568 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
569 @chapter Modules
570 @cindex modules
571
572 One way to add functionality to ERC is to customize which of its many
573 modules are loaded.
574
575 There is a spiffy customize interface, which may be reached by typing
576 @kbd{M-x customize-option erc-modules RET}. Alternatively, set
577 @code{erc-modules} manually and then call @code{erc-update-modules}.
578
579 The following is a list of available modules.
580
581 @table @code
582
583 @cindex modules, autoaway
584 @item autoaway
585 Set away status automatically
586
587 @cindex modules, autojoin
588 @item autojoin
589 Join channels automatically
590
591 @cindex modules, bbdb
592 @item bbdb
593 Integrate with the Big Brother Database
594
595 @cindex modules, button
596 @item button
597 Buttonize URLs, nicknames, and other text
598
599 @cindex modules, capab-identify
600 @item capab-identify
601 Mark unidentified users on freenode and other servers supporting CAPAB.
602
603 @cindex modules, completion
604 @cindex modules, pcomplete
605 @item completion (aka pcomplete)
606 Complete nicknames and commands (programmable)
607
608 @cindex modules, fill
609 @item fill
610 Wrap long lines
611
612 @cindex modules, hecomplete
613 @item hecomplete
614 Complete nicknames and commands (old). This is the old module---you
615 might prefer the ``completion'' module instead.
616
617 @cindex modules, identd
618 @item identd
619 Launch an identd server on port 8113
620
621 @cindex modules, irccontrols
622 @item irccontrols
623 Highlight or remove IRC control characters
624
625 @cindex modules, log
626 @item log
627 Save buffers in logs
628
629 @cindex modules, match
630 @item match
631 Highlight pals, fools, and other keywords
632
633 @cindex modules, menu
634 @item menu
635 Display a menu in ERC buffers
636
637 @cindex modules, netsplit
638 @item netsplit
639 Detect netsplits
640
641 @cindex modules, noncommands
642 @item noncommands
643 Don't display non-IRC commands after evaluation
644
645 @cindex modules, notify
646 @item notify
647 Notify when the online status of certain users changes
648
649 @cindex modules, page
650 @item page
651 Process CTCP PAGE requests from IRC
652
653 @cindex modules, readonly
654 @item readonly
655 Make displayed lines read-only
656
657 @cindex modules, replace
658 @item replace
659 Replace text in messages
660
661 @cindex modules, ring
662 @item ring
663 Enable an input history
664
665 @cindex modules, scrolltobottom
666 @item scrolltobottom
667 Scroll to the bottom of the buffer
668
669 @cindex modules, services
670 @item services
671 Identify to Nickserv (IRC Services) automatically
672
673 @cindex modules, smiley
674 @item smiley
675 Convert smileys to pretty icons
676
677 @cindex modules, sound
678 @item sound
679 Play sounds when you receive CTCP SOUND requests
680
681 @cindex modules, spelling
682 @item spelling
683 Check spelling of messages
684
685 @cindex modules, stamp
686 @item stamp
687 Add timestamps to messages
688
689 @cindex modules, track
690 @item track
691 Track channel activity in the mode-line
692
693 @cindex modules, truncate
694 @item truncate
695 Truncate buffers to a certain size
696
697 @cindex modules, unmorse
698 @item unmorse
699 Translate morse code in messages
700
701 @end table
702
703 @c PRE5_3: Document every option of every module in its own subnode
704
705
706 @node Advanced Usage, Getting Help and Reporting Bugs, Modules, Top
707 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
708 @chapter Advanced Usage
709 @cindex advanced topics
710
711 @menu
712 * Connecting:: Ways of connecting to an IRC server.
713 * Sample Configuration:: An example configuration file.
714 * Options:: Options that are available for ERC.
715 @end menu
716
717 @node Connecting, Sample Configuration, Advanced Usage, Advanced Usage
718 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
719 @section Connecting to an IRC Server
720 @cindex connecting
721
722 The easiest way to connect to an IRC server is to call @kbd{M-x erc}.
723 If you want to assign this function to a keystroke, the following will
724 help you figure out its parameters.
725
726 @defun erc
727 Select connection parameters and run ERC.
728 Non-interactively, it takes the following keyword arguments.
729
730 @itemize @bullet
731 @item @var{server}
732 @item @var{port}
733 @item @var{nick}
734 @item @var{password}
735 @item @var{full-name}
736 @end itemize
737
738 That is, if called with the following arguments, @var{server} and
739 @var{full-name} will be set to those values, whereas
740 @code{erc-compute-port}, @code{erc-compute-nick} and
741 @code{erc-compute-full-name} will be invoked for the values of the other
742 parameters.
743
744 @example
745 (erc :server "irc.freenode.net" :full-name "Harry S Truman")
746 @end example
747 @end defun
748
749 @subheading Server
750
751 @defun erc-compute-server &optional server
752 Return an IRC server name.
753
754 This tries a number of increasingly more default methods until a non-nil
755 value is found.
756
757 @itemize @bullet
758 @item @var{server} (the argument passed to this function)
759 @item The @code{erc-server} option
760 @item The value of the IRCSERVER environment variable
761 @item The @code{erc-default-server} variable
762 @end itemize
763
764 @end defun
765
766 @defopt erc-server nil
767 IRC server to use if one is not provided.
768 @end defopt
769
770 @subheading Port
771
772 @defun erc-compute-port &optional port
773 Return a port for an IRC server.
774
775 This tries a number of increasingly more default methods until a non-nil
776 value is found.
777
778 @itemize @bullet
779 @item @var{port} (the argument passed to this function)
780 @item The @code{erc-port} option
781 @item The @code{erc-default-port} variable
782 @end itemize
783
784 @end defun
785
786 @defopt erc-port
787 IRC port to use if not specified.
788
789 This can be either a string or a number.
790 @end defopt
791
792 @subheading Nick
793
794 @defun erc-compute-nick &optional nick
795 Return user's IRC nick.
796
797 This tries a number of increasingly more default methods until a
798 non-nil value is found.
799
800 @itemize
801 @item @var{nick} (the argument passed to this function)
802 @item The @code{erc-nick} option
803 @item The value of the IRCNICK environment variable
804 @item The result from the @code{user-login-name} function
805 @end itemize
806
807 @end defun
808
809 @defopt erc-nick
810 Nickname to use if one is not provided.
811
812 This can be either a string, or a list of strings.
813 In the latter case, if the first nick in the list is already in use,
814 other nicks are tried in the list order.
815 @end defopt
816
817 @defopt erc-nick-uniquifier
818 The string to append to the nick if it is already in use.
819 @end defopt
820
821 @defopt erc-try-new-nick-p
822 If the nickname you chose isn't available, and this option is non-nil,
823 ERC should automatically attempt to connect with another nickname.
824
825 You can manually set another nickname with the /NICK command.
826 @end defopt
827
828 @subheading Full name
829
830 @defun erc-compute-full-name &optional full-name
831 Return user's full name.
832
833 This tries a number of increasingly more default methods until a
834 non-nil value is found.
835
836 @itemize @bullet
837 @item @var{full-name} (the argument passed to this function)
838 @item The @code{erc-user-full-name} option
839 @item The value of the IRCNAME environment variable
840 @item The result from the @code{user-full-name} function
841 @end itemize
842
843 @end defun
844
845 @defopt erc-user-full-name
846 User full name.
847
848 This can be either a string or a function to call.
849 @end defopt
850
851 @node Sample Configuration, Options, Connecting, Advanced Usage
852 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
853 @section Sample Configuration
854 @cindex configuration, sample
855
856 Here is an example of configuration settings for ERC. This can go into
857 your Emacs configuration file. Everything after the @code{(require
858 'erc)} command can optionally go into @file{~/.emacs.d/.ercrc.el}.
859
860 @lisp
861 ;;; Sample ERC configuration
862
863 ;; Add the ERC directory to load path -- you don't need this if you are
864 ;; using the version of ERC that comes with Emacs
865 (add-to-list 'load-path "~/elisp/erc")
866
867 ;; Load ERC
868 (require 'erc)
869
870 ;; Load authentication info from an external source. Put sensitive
871 ;; passwords and the like in here.
872 (load "~/.emacs.d/.erc-auth")
873
874 ;; This is an example of how to make a new command. Type "/uptime" to
875 ;; use it.
876 (defun erc-cmd-UPTIME (&rest ignore)
877 "Display the uptime of the system, as well as some load-related
878 stuff, to the current ERC buffer."
879 (let ((uname-output
880 (replace-regexp-in-string
881 ", load average: " "] @{Load average@} ["
882 ;; Collapse spaces, remove
883 (replace-regexp-in-string
884 " +" " "
885 ;; Remove beginning and trailing whitespace
886 (replace-regexp-in-string
887 "^ +\\|[ \n]+$" ""
888 (shell-command-to-string "uptime"))))))
889 (erc-send-message
890 (concat "@{Uptime@} [" uname-output "]"))))
891
892 ;; This causes ERC to connect to the Freenode network upon hitting
893 ;; C-c e f. Replace MYNICK with your IRC nick.
894 (global-set-key "\C-cef" (lambda () (interactive)
895 (erc :server "irc.freenode.net" :port "6667"
896 :nick "MYNICK")))
897
898 ;; This causes ERC to connect to the IRC server on your own machine (if
899 ;; you have one) upon hitting C-c e b. Replace MYNICK with your IRC
900 ;; nick. Often, people like to run bitlbee (http://bitlbee.org/) as an
901 ;; AIM/Jabber/MSN to IRC gateway, so that they can use ERC to chat with
902 ;; people on those networks.
903 (global-set-key "\C-ceb" (lambda () (interactive)
904 (erc :server "localhost" :port "6667"
905 :nick "MYNICK")))
906
907 ;; Make C-c RET (or C-c C-RET) send messages instead of RET. This has
908 ;; been commented out to avoid confusing new users.
909 ;; (define-key erc-mode-map (kbd "RET") nil)
910 ;; (define-key erc-mode-map (kbd "C-c RET") 'erc-send-current-line)
911 ;; (define-key erc-mode-map (kbd "C-c C-RET") 'erc-send-current-line)
912
913 ;;; Options
914
915 ;; Join the #emacs and #erc channels whenever connecting to Freenode.
916 (setq erc-autojoin-channels-alist '(("freenode.net" "#emacs" "#erc")))
917
918 ;; Interpret mIRC-style color commands in IRC chats
919 (setq erc-interpret-mirc-color t)
920
921 ;; The following are commented out by default, but users of other
922 ;; non-Emacs IRC clients might find them useful.
923 ;; Kill buffers for channels after /part
924 ;; (setq erc-kill-buffer-on-part t)
925 ;; Kill buffers for private queries after quitting the server
926 ;; (setq erc-kill-queries-on-quit t)
927 ;; Kill buffers for server messages after quitting the server
928 ;; (setq erc-kill-server-buffer-on-quit t)
929 @end lisp
930
931 @node Options, , Sample Configuration, Advanced Usage
932 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
933 @section Options
934 @cindex options
935
936 @c PRE5_3: (Node) Document every ERC option (module options go in
937 @c previous chapter)
938
939 This section has not yet been written. For now, the easiest way to
940 check out the available options for ERC is to do
941 @kbd{M-x customize-group erc RET}.
942
943
944 @node Getting Help and Reporting Bugs, History, Advanced Usage, Top
945 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
946 @chapter Getting Help and Reporting Bugs
947 @cindex help, getting
948 @cindex bugs, reporting
949
950 After you have read this guide, if you still have questions about ERC,
951 or if you have bugs to report, there are several places you can go.
952
953 @itemize @bullet
954
955 @item
956 @uref{http://www.emacswiki.org/cgi-bin/wiki/ERC} is the
957 emacswiki.org page for ERC. Anyone may add tips, hints, or bug
958 descriptions to it.
959
960 @item
961 There are several mailing lists for ERC. To subscribe, visit
962 @uref{http://savannah.gnu.org/mail/?group=erc}.
963
964 The mailing lists are also available on Gmane.
965 (@url{http://gmane.org/}). Gmane provides additional methods for
966 accessing the mailing lists, adding content to them, and searching them.
967
968 @enumerate
969 @item gmane.emacs.erc.announce: Announcements
970
971 @item gmane.emacs.erc.discuss: General discussion
972
973 @item gmane.emacs.erc.cvs: Log messages for changes to the ERC source code
974
975 @end enumerate
976
977 @item
978 You can visit the IRC Freenode channel @samp{#emacs}. Many of the
979 contributors are frequently around and willing to answer your
980 questions.
981
982 @end itemize
983
984
985 @node History, Copying, Getting Help and Reporting Bugs, Top
986 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
987 @chapter History
988 @cindex history, of ERC
989
990 ERC was originally written by Alexander L. Belikoff
991 @email{abel@@bfr.co.il} and Sergey Berezin
992 @email{sergey.berezin@@cs.cmu.edu}. They stopped development around
993 December 1999. Their last released version was ERC 2.0.
994
995 P.S.: If one of the original developers of ERC reads this, we'd like to
996 receive additional information for this file and hear comments in
997 general.
998
999 @itemize
1000 @item 2001
1001
1002 In June 2001, Mario Lang @email{mlang@@delysid.org} and Alex Schroeder
1003 @email{alex@@gnu.org} took over development and created a ERC Project at
1004 @uref{http://sourceforge.net/projects/erc}.
1005
1006 In reaction to a mail about the new ERC development effort, Sergey
1007 Berezin said, ``First of all, I'm glad that my version of ERC is being
1008 used out there. The thing is, I do not have free time and enough
1009 incentive anymore to work on ERC, so I would be happy if you guys take
1010 over the project entirely.''
1011
1012 So we happily hacked away on ERC, and soon after (September 2001)
1013 released the next "stable" version, 2.1.
1014
1015 Most of the development of the new ERC happened on #emacs on
1016 irc.openprojects.net. Over time, many people contributed code, ideas,
1017 bugfixes, and a lot of alpha/beta/gamma testing.
1018
1019 See the @file{CREDITS} file for a list of contributors.
1020
1021 @item 2003
1022
1023 ERC 3.0 was released.
1024
1025 @item 2004
1026
1027 ERC 4.0 was released.
1028
1029 @item 2005
1030
1031 ERC 5.0 was released. Michael Olson @email{mwolson@@gnu.org} became
1032 the release manager and eventually the maintainer.
1033
1034 After some discussion between him and the Emacs developers, it was
1035 decided to include ERC in Emacs.
1036
1037 @item 2006
1038
1039 ERC 5.1 was released. It was subsequently included in Emacs 22.
1040
1041 ERC became an official GNU project, and development moved to
1042 @uref{http://sv.gnu.org/projects/erc}. We switched to using GNU Arch as
1043 our revision control system. Our mailing list address changed as well.
1044
1045 @item 2007
1046
1047 We switched to using git for our version control system.
1048
1049 @end itemize
1050
1051 @node Copying, GNU Free Documentation License, History, Top
1052 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1053 @include gpl.texi
1054
1055 @node GNU Free Documentation License, Concept Index, Copying, Top
1056 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1057 @include doclicense.texi
1058
1059 @node Concept Index, , GNU Free Documentation License, Top
1060 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
1061 @unnumbered Index
1062
1063 @printindex cp
1064
1065 @bye
1066
1067 @ignore
1068 arch-tag: cf9cfaff-fc12-4297-ad15-ec2493002b1e
1069 @end ignore