created 2008 · complexity basic · author Metacosm · version 7.0
Searching the tips on this wiki can often help solve a problem encountered when using Vim. However, if you want to ask a question, you will need to subscribe to a mailing list, or join the #vim IRC channel.
IRC overview[]
IRC (Internet Relay Chat) is a form of real-time text messaging (chat). A user installs a suitable IRC client program, then configures it to connect to an IRC network (such as Libera Chat), and a specific channel on that server (such as #vim).
Joining #vim[]
To join the #vim IRC channel you need to use an IRC client to connect to the Libera Chat IRC network. HexChat, Konversation, XChat, mIrc, Miranda, Textual and Pidgin are graphical clients that can be used to connect to an IRC network. WeeChat and Irssi are popular terminal clients. On Firefox you can also use the ChatZilla addon. On Android, RevolutionIRC is a popular client available from F-Droid and Google Play. On Apple iOS, LimeChat is available from the AppStore You can also use Libera.Chat so you don't have to install any software.
Choose an IRC server from the list of libera.chat hostnames near you to connect to. Your client of choice will probably have a list of them configured already. Once connected you can use the /join #vim
command to join the #vim channel (makes sense doesn't it). In the webchat you can also enter the room you want to join right away.
On the libera.chat IRC network you need to register your account (aka nick) to be able to chat in most channels. A detailed howto is available on the Libera.Chat site. It only takes a few minutes to register so it's not that big a hassle. If you're using client software there's usually a way to have the registration done automatically once you log on. Google is your friend if you want to find out how to do that for your particular client.
More detailed information on all of this is available on the libera.chat website.
TO DO
- Outline how to ask a question.
See also[]
Vi-IMproved.org is the online home for #vim. It is maintained by robertmeta (aka Metacosm) who moved the general "information on Vim" pages to the Vim Tips wiki in February 2008.
Some useful pages: