Fserves takes the concept of FTPs over DCC Chat. DCC stands for "Directed client to client". This means that instead of using the irc server as a medium (ie: Channels), you use the irc server to estabilish a direct connection between two clients (you, and the person with the fserve). DCC is also used for sending files, which we will get into later.

Start with "!list". Each server in the channel will send you a 'notice' (a more quiet message) for the information to get on their server. This advertisement contains all the relevant information you need to leech (download). The ads are also sent to the channel (every 30minutes per fserve in #animefiends), but !list is faster.

An fserve ad will contain one or more triggers. Each trigger provides access to a unique fileserver, where you can download files. You must send to the channel the trigger, exactly as it appears in the ad (ie, "!anime"). The server will DCC chat you (so make sure you can receive DCC); accept and you're in! If the server doesn't chat you, you probobly did something wrong. Double check the trigger, and check what you sent to the channel. If this fails, then there are 3 possible reasons:

1.) You are behind a firewall. Wether you are on a network with a firewall (some colleges, business locations), or you have set up your own firewall for protection. If you have access to the firewall (or kindly ask your system administrator) make sure you allow connections for DCC chat. DCC's tend to use random ports (for "security" reasons) so you cannot specify and exact port to "open".

2.) You are using a router or gateway to get online. This is most common with home networks sharing a cable or dsl line to the internet, If you have a good router you most certainly can enable forwarding of DCC connections. Check your manual or online documentation on your particular model for more information

3.) The fserve itself may not be configured correctly (highly unlikely). Some people behind routers or firewalls can (for odd reasons) connect to some people, and not others. If you have checked 1 and 2, then kindly ask the fserve what his client's reason for rejecting or not making the DCC connection, this may help in debugging your problems on your own machine. or may make him or her aware of any problems they have

Once you're in the fserve, you can navigate using various console commands; each fserve may vary, so use "help" to get a list of available commands. Here's some typical Polaris fserve commands :

cd [dir] - change to the directory [dir]
dir - list the files and directories within the current directory
get [file] - queues the file [file] for download


Hint: in Polaris, directories are listed as UPPERcase, and files lowercase.

So, you're browsing someone's anime collection. If you see a file you want, type "get foo" to get the file foo. It'll be queued for delivery, and when you get to the top of the list, you will be sent the file you asked for.

the file you tagged gets sent to the nick you were using when you "get"'ed the file, so if you change your nick while you're waiting, you won't get your file. NOTE: If the queue is full, you'll have to wait. Check the fserve status with the "sends" and "queues" fserve commands, to estimate when the next available slot will be open NOTE: Don't try to stay on the fserve while you wait, it's rather rude. Your send will get there when it gets there. ^_^

(in channel): !list

(response):(File Servers Online) Triggers:(!anime & !quit touching my monkey)

Online:(0/2) Sends:(1/2) Queues:(2/10) Snagged:(1.12Tb in 1 files)
Record CPS:(999.9Kb/s byccessed:(31337 times) Note:(I like monkeys)
?~{Polaris IRC}~?

(you): /say !quit touching my monkey

(irc client): DCC Chat request from Maitre.

(you) accept the dcc chat (or setup your client to automaticly open dcc chat offers

(fserve):

?~{Polaris IRC 2001}~? v4.0 Platinum File Server
This File Server has been accessed 1 times.
Commands: cd ls dir read get stats who sends queues clr_queues.

[\*.*]
ANIME
readme.txt
End of list.

[\anime\*.*]
..
this is anime.mpg
End of list.

Queuing this is anime.mpg. It has been
placed in queue slot #1, it will send when sends are available.
(if you want to move back to \*.*)

Well, thats it. Hope it helped. Maitre may be a pansy but hes got a big sword...