IRC

Channel Details
The Unity IRC channel is #unity3d on freenode.

The server name is irc.freenode.net and the channel name is #unity3d.

Note: You NEED to have a 'registered nickname' to be able to enter. Instructions for setting that up are here: http://freenode.net/faq.shtml#nicksetup
 * If you connect without a registered nickname, you will be placed in a holding channel so that you can register your nickname.

Client Applications
If you are new to IRC, you will need an IRC client.

There is a free Unity Editor add-in on the asset store for the IRC channel:
 * unityIRC

Here are some free Mac friendly ones:


 * Colloquy
 * Conversation
 * X-Chat Aqua
 * Adium (contains IRC Now)
 * KVIrc (free)

And here are some Windows friendly ones:


 * XChat, free build
 * mIRC
 * KVIrc (free)

Alternatively, below is a link to a browser-based IRC client. Click the link below, change the 'nickname' to something more suitable, and click 'Connect'.

Freenode IRC Web Client Channel '#unity3d'.

In addition, the Opera Browser (recent versions) has a built-in IRC client. To enable it, you first go to Tools->Mail and Chat Accounts and create an IRC account on a server, presumably irc.freenode.net, where #unity3d is to be found:

Opera

Registering your nick
Due to recent disruptions on freenode, you now need to register your nickname in order to be able to talk on the unity IRC channel. For instructions on how to register your nick, read this:


 * What is the recommended way to set up my IRC nickname?

Conduct
As the channel can be quite busy, it's important that we behave in a considerate manner. Here are a few guidelines:


 * Be polite and respectful towards other users.
 * Although some staff members from Unity Technologies occasionally visit the channel, most of us are just users.
 * Check the documentation first, but feel free to ask questions if you need further help. It may take a while before you get a response, so please be patient.
 * If you want help with a problem, you need to explain it clearly. Don't just say "it doesn't work".  Instead, describe what you expected to happen and what actually happened.  Show code and pictures if necessary.  When you have an error message, tell us exactly what it says instead of paraphrasing it.
 * Some of the coding veterans tend to get impatient with beginners, so you, in turn, have to be patient with them.
 * If you want to show code to other users, don't paste it directly into the channel unless it's only one or two lines. Here are a couple of websites you can use for this purpose: Pastebin.ca, Pastebin.com.

Several users have been given operator privileges so that they can help to look after the channel. They have been asked to work to these rules:


 * Do not use operator privileges in anger, to bully others or for comedy effect. This includes kicking, banning and changing the topic.
 * If someone has to be kicked or banned, give them a polite explanation, preferably beforehand.
 * Reach a consensus with other operators before taking action.
 * Only become an operator when there is a reason to do so, and remove your operator status immediately afterwards.

If you have a disagreement with a particular operator, please discuss it with NCarter or any other operator.

Firewall and Router Settings
You may need to open some or all of these ports on your firewall, or set up port forwarding on your router, to get IRC to work:


 * 194
 * 6665-6669 (may or may not be necessary, outgoing only I believe)
 * If you want to use DCC to transfer files, open 32768-32788 too.
 * Finally, you can speed up your initial connection to freenode by opening the Ident port, 113.

When you connect, freenode runs a port-scan on your machine to make sure you're not running an open proxy which could threaten their network. This is harmless, but it can make weird things appear in your access logs. If you prevent them from doing the port scan (by blocking their IP, for example), they may block you in return, so it's best to tolerate their scanning.

More Information
If you need help connecting, there is a thread on the Unity forum about IRC here.