Basics

In order to send and receive messages Snak must be connected to an IRC server. In order to gain access to a server Snak has to know what nickname to use, the name of the server etc. All that information is stored in a connection profile.

Snak comes with a number of predefined profiles that will let you connect to the largest IRC networks without further configuration. If you want to change your default nickname or connect to other networks you'll use the profile list.

Profiles

When you open the profile list with Cmd-K you will see a list of the existing profiles and their channels.

To edit a profile, select it in the list and press Edit. A dialog where you can change the default nickname, servers and other things will appear.

The nickname and alternative nickname fields hold the nicknames that Snak will use when connecting to the server. If the first nickname is already taken, Snak will try the alternative. If that is also taken Snak will bring up a dialog that allows you to enter something else.

The password field is only used if the server requires you to enter a password before gaining access. For example, some universities have private IRC servers that require such a password.

The server list allows you to add multiple servers to a profile. Snak will then attempt to connect to each server in turn until it finds one that will let you in. You can drag the servers around to change the order in which they will be tried.

The Startup Commands field is used to have Snak execute specific commands after it connects to a server. The field has room for 500 characters, and accept any IRC commands, separated by return.

Normally the startup commands should not be used to join channels (especially not if the channel requires a password). Instead, simply join the channel manually the first time, and then either leave the channel panel open when you quit the program (i.e. don't close it) or rejoin it by going to the profile list and doubleclick on the channel name. If the channel panel is left open, you can click in it, and press Cmd-O to reopen the connection and rejoin the channel next time you start the program. The Automatic connect option will also rejoin the open channels.

On some networks a nickname can be registered, meaning that no one else may use it. The IRC server will then require you to demonstrate that you are the rightful owner of a nickname by providing the password. It's possible to use the Startup Commands to automatically send the password for your nickname but it's not the best way to authenticate.

If you have registered your nick you will get a message when you connect asking you to provide the password. It's much better to create an Action (see chapter Actions) that responds to that particular message with your password than to use the Startup Commands . The reason is that the Startup Commands are only executed once, at startup, but if you get de-synced (an error condition on the network itself) any time after that the nick service will require your password again. If you have an Action set up it will respond automatically every time.

(Note: This is just an example and the password for the nick should not be confused with the optional server password explained above).

To automatically open a particular connection when you launch Snak, check the "Automatic Connect" checkbox.