Internet Relay Chat (IRC) is a real time text chat tool which facilitates faster support, trouble shooting, and development collaboration. Communication occurs in real time and is always available. People from around the world are typically logged into IRC channels at all times of the day. IRC is a very powerful tool, but suffers from the major drawback of not archiving communications. IRC should not be used for critical information that needs to be widely shared. Forum posts or email lists are a better choice for critical information.
CentOS has several channels on the Freenode IRC Network. Vairous applications are available that can connect to IRC, popular clients include:
* pidgin (formerly gaim)
* mozilla-chat
* xchat
* irssi
* and many others
To connect to Freenode IRC, use the following server settings:
SERVER=irc.freenode.net
PORT=6667
Several IRC Channels exist that are CentOS focused. All channel are open to the general public and require nothing special to participate.
Please do not copy and paste into CentOS irc channels. Please use a public pastebin such as; http://pastebin.centos.org/ http://pastebin.com or http://pastebin.ca
To effectively ask your question, Please read this how to ask a question document before complaining about a lack of response in the CentOS channels.
#centos
This is the primary CentOS channel. This is where most user to user support issues, bugs questions, calls for help, general questions, etc. can be asked. This channel maintains its focus on CentOS products as released by the CentOS developers (including the bonus repositories). This channel has the most active users. To maintain a high signal to noise ratio in this channel, the following are off topic and should be taken to #centos-social or elsewhere.
* Using non CentOS released kernels
* Distro _________ does _________ better than CentOS
* I updated package foo to the latest bleeding edge pre-alpha release and now CentOS is broken (or the package is broken).
* Politics (see below)
* Idle chatter about nothing in particular when you appear to be talking to yourself.
* Discussion of project management choices, including enforcement of topic matters.
Enforcement of off topic matters is at the discretion of the channel ops.
#centos-web
This channel is primarily used to discuss issues related to this website. Depending on the issue, you may be pointed to this Forum to submit your issue or find additional information.
#centos-devel
This channel is used by CentOS builders when an active development cycle is underway. This would be the place to ask questions about Beta\'s, etc.
#centos-mirror
This channel is used by CentOS mirror operators. If you have questions about setting up a public centos-mirror, this is the place to ask.
#centos-social
This channel is to socialize with other CentOS users, talk about things like kernels from kernel.org, talk about your social life, how your meds aren't working, and any other topic deemed off topic in #centos. Thanks.
How to ask a question
