NULL mag Issue 06 19 Installing IRC server

eZine lover (@eZine)

Published in 

null magazine

 · 26 Dec 2020

  

 

 
    having a 24/7 computer running, it gives the opportunity to try more 
    stuff with it. even in a small raspberry pi system, you can install 
    several other servers, instead of only a bbs server. one of these 
    choices is to install an irc server. this way you can have a local 
    chat system that you can share with friends, or even your bbs 
    visitors, if you want so. 

    the process is not difficult. choose the irc server you preffer and 
    follow the instructions. one tutorial on installing such a server in 
    rpi is here: https://pimylifeup.com/raspberry-pi-irc-server/ 
    feel free to use anyone you want. if you want visitors to connect, 
    make sure to open the right port, usually 6667 for irc. 

    you could also take it further and inter-connect irc servers with 
    each other, like big groups do, like free-net, efnet etc. but this is 
    not the scope of the tutor. 

    after you install the software and made sure that it starts, when the 
    system boots up, you can add an irc client program to your bbs, for 
    visitors to use and connect to it. in linux you can use irssi or 
    weechat, but on windows, you should find an irc door program to be 
    able to connect... but who cares about windows :p 

    programs like irssi/weechat, can connect to multiple servers and let 
    users to change their nicknames, so make sure that you trust those to 
    whom you are giving this feature. perhaps its not for total 
    strangers, so adjust your security privileges to visitors. 

    you can also add bots to the server/channels to give some more 
    coolness to the whole project, with bots that offer games or other 
    features. or you can just add some logbots to have a copy of the 
    conversations and give to users/visitors of the bbs. 

    if you only need a log bot, you can use just irssi/weechat, by 
    making some adjustments to their configuration, like auto connect, 
    rejoin, ignore joins, parts etc. and make sure they auto-log the 
    channels you want. 

    the possibilities are many and you can configure things as you like, 
    but for simple use in a bbs like system, simple is enough.