For the Observers (and Apprentices)
Posted 18 Nov 2003 by KenCauseyInterested in Squeak but having trouble getting started? Want to contribute but aren't sure how? Try the #squeak IRC channel on irc.freenode.net.
A little informal mentoring can go a long way. Since a little back and forth questioning and answering can get the process started quickly, I posit that IRC is a good vehicle for basic mentoring. We are starting to build up a consistent community on the IRC channel which should help in ensuring that just about any time you drop by you will find someone who can provide a little push.
When you join the channel go ahead and say 'Hi', say a little bit about yourself, and go ahead and ask a question or say that you would like some assistance. Don't be shy.
If you don't get a response immediately, please be patient. Other people in the channel may be working or fixing a meal and not paying attention to the screen at that moment. I'm confident if you can hang around for a while you will get a response. One suggestion I can make is to be as specific as possible in your request. This is not as relevant on #squeak where the traffic is still relatively low; but you will find that this helps on other busier IRC channels. Poking at one of the interests of a person will often elicit a response from them when a general query will not.
There's currently an experiment in trying to increase the population at specific times to aid in discussing certain current topics in a relatively high speed fashion. Right now we have a schedule of such gatherings for 0200, 1000, and 1800 GMT every day. You may find it easier to find someone to talk to around these times.
On a related note. If you are an experienced Squeaker you might want to devote a little of your attention to the IRC channel and be on the lookout for those less experienced than you that need your help.
how to use enhanced IRC in 3.6, posted 19 Nov 2003 by elvislives
You can access this channel from within Squeak. The preferred route is to install the Enhanced IRC package from the Package Loader.
- Bring up the World menu in Squeak and choose open.
- There should be a selection called Package Loader, choose it.
- Now, if the Package Loader comes up right you can select the Enhanced IRC Client for Squeak 3.4 package. (you might have to uncheck some of the filters that you see when yellow-button clicking (i.e. right-click in win32) in the package list pane)
- Perhaps the install will open the console for you, but if not you can find it just in the same place as where the Package Loader was World Menu -> open.
Note: pre-3.6 images will be able to just dive right into the enhance IRC.
However, you might have some difficulty running the Enhanced IRC in squeak 3.6 and beyond. But don't panic; there is a pretty easy fix that Goran posted already. You can find the instructions here: Posting with fix
Basically, you need to download the attachment and file it in. Then, as the link above explains, you must choose either to add the extra code to the PluggableMultiColumnListMorph, or to install the two packages, "Skins Importer Support" and then "Skins II".
This is hopefully just a temporary workaround for getting the existing IRC client up to speed with 3.6 - of course the changes given in the above link will be put into the next version of the Enhanced IRC client package.
To use the enhanced IRC you can follow your natural instinct mostly. Of course you want to open the setup window first to fill in a nickname and the server at least. (btw, irc.freenode.net might not work, you will probably need to visit freednode.net's web address to find an actual server that suits your geographical status) Ok, so once you are connected you can click on the channels button. From here I always choose the Join Prompt button. You should be able to just enter 'squeak' here and soon see a listing of people in the channel
Finally, if you are really gungho then you can try the standard IRC client that comes with the image... You will need to execute code like this:
ent _ IRCConnection new. ent server: 'irc.freenode.net'. ent nick: 'squeaktester'. ent connect. ent openAsMorph.Note: these lines work same for the enhanced IRC, except you will instantiate ent as an IRCConnectionEnhanced.
You can then type in the console "join #squeak", and then you're off - and ready to send messages with "privmsg #squeak :hello squeakers!". If all this sounds tedious - which it is - then now you see why it's way better to use the enhanced IRC, which has nice things like tabbed panes for different channel windows. I believe this covers every way to log onto the IRC within Squeak - good luck.Archives and Stats, posted 29 Dec 2003 by KenCausey
You can view channel archives ator
http://tunes.org/~nef/logs/squeak/
You can see some channel statistics at
IRC in 3.6 and 3.7, posted 24 Mar 2004 by FrankCag
If you are in a 3.6 or 3.7 image you can load IRCe, the combined IRC/Enhanced IRC package from SqueakMap.This is an interm release, some features of IRC may not work. Let me know if you use it and send along any feedback.
regards
IRCe in 3.7, posted 18 May 2004 by dway
Also note that if you're using 3.7, you'll definitely want to use Frank's IRCe package from SqueakMap, as the aforementioned "Enhanced IRC Client" does not work in 3.7.There's some additional info on the Squeak on IRC swiki page.
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