% IRC

We have chat rooms (IRC based, on the freenode network), which can be used for
members of the community to contact each other:

The *+s* flag is set on all of these channels, so that someone can\'t know
you\'re in these channels when they run *whois* on your IRC nick.  The only way
for someone to know is if they join those channels and see you there.

These are *safe spaces*. You are free to be yourself here, without judgement.

-   [\#\#transit](https://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=##transit)
    This is a support channel, for people who need support. It is not a social
    channel. For general socializing/discussions (even about things that are
    off-topic in a trans support group), go to the ##transit-social channel (see
    below):
-   [\#\#transit-social](https://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=##transit-social) (general
    lobby or meeting place for the community, for people of all gender
    identities whether female, male, non-binary, etc. Anyone is welcome.
    Intersex people and eunuchs are also welcome. This is for socializing.
    Support goes in the main channel!)
-   [\#\#transit-nsfw](https://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=##transit-nsfw) -
    sensitive topics go here.
-   [\#\#transit-meta](https://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=##transit-meta) -
    admin talk goes here (site management, ops, etc)
-   [\#\#transit-vegan](https://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=##transit-vegan)

The above links are for *web based* chat, but you can also use other IRC
clients on GNU+Linux, BSD, MacOS, Windows, Android, Replicant, iOS etc
(GNU+Linux, BSD or Replicant highly recommended, for your
[freedom from tyranny as a
computer user](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html).

Information for connecting to IRC is as follows:

-   Server: chat.freenode.net
-   Port: 6697
-   TLS/SSL encryption is **required** on this port. You must enable encryption
-   Channels are ##transit, ##transit-social, ##transit-nsfw and ##transit-meta (make sure to
    use *two* hashes instead of one).

Whether you use the web chat, or a non-web based IRC client, it is highly
recommended that you register your nick. Type this into IRC for information
about how to register your IRC nickname:

    /msg nickserv help register

## Granota IRC bot

We have a bot on IRC, with nick Granota. Documentation for how to use it is
[here](granota.md)
