IRC for Metro Skywarn Operations
There is an IRC channel for use by spotters and non-spotters. The channel exists at all times, not just during weather
events. The channel is named #MetroSkywarn and is run on the dal.net IRC servers.
IRC stands for "Internet Relay Chat" and is the original "chat room" of the Internet. You need an
IRC client in order to use the #MetroSkywarn IRC channel. There are many FREE options available to you.
One of the most popular Windows IRC clients is mIRC (but this particular client is not free.)
If you use FireFox (if you don't, why don't you?) you can download and install the free add-on
Chatzilla. Other clients include Pidgin,
ViRC and for the Mac
there is ShadowIRC. There are
many more.
Once you have your client installed, you can connect to the #MetroSkywarn IRC channel here.
The first thing you may notice is that you cannot chat. The #MetroSkywarn channel is moderated
and in order to be able to actually enter text to the channel you need to be given a voice. Luckily
getting a voice doesn't take too much effort. If you have a password at the Metro Skywarn Forums and
are a trained Metro Skywarn spotter with a valid Metro Skywarn ID, you can use that password to
obtain a voice on the IRC channel. If you aren't a registered user on the Metro Skywarn Forums, why
not get registered now!
Once you are on the IRC channel, you will notice that there is someone in the channel with the
"nick" (nickname, which is your identity on the IRC network) MSWbot. MSWbot is not a person, rather
it is a computer program that moderates the channel. So, once you are a registered user on the
Metro Skywarn Forums and have your Metro Skywarn ID number and are now in the IRC channel, you get
a voice by typing :
/msg MSWbot username password
The username is the name you use
on the Metro Skywarn Forums, NOT YOUR IRC NICK (unless they are the same) and 'password' is your
password from the Metro Skywarn Forums. The '/msg MSWbot' part of the text you enter sends a private
message to MSWbot, no one else will see what you enter (not only because you are sending a private
message to a 'bot, but also because you don't have a voice yet.) Once your username and password are
verified by MSWbot, you will be given a voice and can participate fully in the channel.
What is the benefit of NOT having a voice and being in the channel? Well, hopefully you will be able
to get some insight as to what is happening with a current weather event and will be able to watch
the communication between trained spotters. Many spotters use Amateur Radio to communicate with the
National Weather Service through the Net Control Operator. Spotters are trained to not use the
Amateur Radio frequency unless they are asked to by the Net Control Operator, or if they are experiencing
"reportable" conditions. The IRC channel will allow spotters to exchange information without tying up
the Net Control frequency.
When you are given a voice, be respectful of others. Cursing and other behavior that isn't acceptable will
be dealt with swiftly. Generally it will be handled by MSWbot automatically by being kicked from the channel.
Multiple infractions will result in being banned from the channel. Don't ask for ops.
If you have any questions, you can post them on the Metro Skywarn Forums or leave an email to
webmaster at metroskywarn dot org
