IRC general questions

[HOSED]

In order to get support for Bodhi Linux it was suggested I use IRC at this address: http://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=bodhilinux
I am new to this way of communication and was wondering if there are any security issues or other concerns about IRC in general. I would use the Bodhi Linux forum but that is no longer an option (long story) D:
thanks, Hoser
http://www.reddit.com/r/irc/comments/1gavie/are_there_any_security_risks_to_using_irc/ after reading this I am very leery.

 

[lxskllr]

Bodhi's no longer being developed. You may want to look for a new distro. IRC's safe enough. Don't do dumb stuff, and you'll be alright.

Edit:
Looks like I was incorrect. People have stepped up to maintain Bodhi. That's good, but I'd still keep my eyes on an alternative. Maintaining a distro is a lot of work, and it may not pan out.

 

[bbhaag]

It looks like the channel is being hosted on freenode so chances are you'll be safe. Freenode is a very nice place as far as IRC is concerned. I actually hangout in #defocus now ##chat on freenode. Like lxskllr said don't do anything dumb and you should be ok.

EDIT:By dumb I mean don't accept any file transfers through dcc or xdcc. If you do make sure you trust the source and scan the file first before you unpack it.

 

[lxskllr]

EDIT:By dumb I mean don't accept any file transfers through dcc or xdcc. If you do make sure you trust the source and scan the file first before you unpack it.

Also, don't run unfamiliar commands in your terminal. GNU/Linux IRC channels are generally high quality AFAIK, but you could still get trolled by someone making mischief. If you don't know what it does, look it up before you run it.

 

[bbhaag]

Also, don't run unfamiliar commands in your terminal. GNU/Linux IRC channels are generally high quality AFAIK, but you could still get trolled by someone making mischief. If you don't know what it does, look it up before you run it.

Agreed. That is good advice for anyone who not only uses IRC but Googles/searches the internet for a solution to a problem they are having when using Linux.
When I first started using Linux I went willy nilly copy and pasting commands into the terminal trying to solve a problem without fully understanding the consequences.

I learned the hard way that this is not good practice when it comes to GNU/Linux.

 

[HOSED]

Agreed. That is good advice for anyone who not only uses IRC but Googles/searches the internet for a solution to a problem they are having when using Linux.
When I first started using Linux I went willy nilly copy and pasting commands into the terminal trying to solve a problem without fully understanding.....

Thanks for all the enlightening feedback (no pun intended)
It turns out the forum link for IRC is not correct one of the "chatters" there told me to use this
https://kiwiirc.com/client/irc.freenode.net/#bodhilinux ( at least this is https)

 

[bbhaag]

Thanks for all the enlightening feedback (no pun intended)
It turns out the forum link for IRC is not correct one of the "chatters" there told me to use this
https://kiwiirc.com/client/irc.freenode.net/#bodhilinux ( at least this is https)

You'll be fine. The only difference is that link is https. The network is still freenode and the chan is the same too. Welcome to IRC. Register your nick and swing by ##chat if you get a chance.

EDIT:To give you a general idea why I feel you'll be fine on freenode here is an excerpt from their webpage.

"You've reached freenode, an IRC network providing discussion facilities for the Free and Open Source Software communities, not-for-profit organizations, and related communities.
Freenode is run entirely by volunteers hailing from the wider FOSS communities which we serve.".

You can read more here if you want. https://www.freenode.net/