Add guide for basics & getting started (#161)

* Add guide for basics & getting started

* add weight

* Update basics.md

Author: meldra

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+---
+title: Basics of IRC
+category: about-irc
+weight: 10
+---
+
+You are likely here because you want to know more about this "IRC" stuff
+you've heard about. Someone might have sent you here to get you clued in, or
+perhaps it popped up in search results and got your attention.
+
+Welcome, friend. We are glad you found us, whatever the reason.
+
+Hopefully this guide will help you understand what IRC is, and how to start
+using it. We think you might like how it differs from other chat platforms.
+
+While this will _not_ be a comprehensive guide on all the software available,
+it will hopefully point you in the right direction.
+
+## What is IRC?
+
+IRC stands for Internet Relay Chat. It is a chat protocol.
+
+It was invented in 1988 by Jarkko Oikarinen, of the University of Oulu in
+Finland. It replaced a program called MUT (MultiUser Talk).
+
+## How does IRC work?
+
+There are 2 components to IRC.
+
+**Clients** are apps that let you use IRC. They can be installed on many
+different Operating Systems, or even run inside your web browser.
+
+**Servers** are what the clients connect to. Libera Chat has a **network** of
+servers. Don't worry though, you only need to know one address for the
+network. That address is `irc.libera.chat`.
+
+Networks like us use a Round Robin system to distribute users evenly between
+servers. Having lots of servers provides redundancy, so one server being out
+of order doesn't make the whole network stop.
+
+IRC is usually cost-free to use, but sometimes you might need to buy a client
+or pay a subscription fee for a client hosted by someone else.
+
+## Choosing a client
+
+To use IRC, first you need to choose a client. Clients vary a lot, but most
+will have the same basic features, so don't worry about picking the wrong one.
+
+You can read our guide [about clients](/guides/clients) to help you make your
+decision, or you can use one of [our webchats](/guides/webchat) to avoid
+installing anything just yet.
+
+Our webchats are run by us. They are free to use, but we restrict them so they
+only connect to `irc.libera.chat`. Because of this, they are a good place to
+get started. You can graduate to a proper client once you've figured things
+out, with help from people on the network.
+
+## Connecting for the first time
+
+Most clients will have some kind of intro or wizard to get you going. Look for
+a preconfigured network called Libera or Libera Chat.
+
+If there is no wizard, or the process is confusing, you will either need to
+check out the client's website for some documentation about how to set it up,
+or connect through the webchats first and find someone to help. There is
+usually someone in `#libera` who can point you in the right direction.
+
+## Talking
+
+Just like in instant messengers, there will be a field in the app where you
+will be able to type things. This is where you chat.
+
+This chat field is also where you can do commands to the server or the client.
+Commands start with a `/`.
+
+Our website has several [guides](/guides) that will make use of this notation
+when giving you instructions.
+
+## Conversation windows
+
+Conversations windows are also known as tabs or buffers. They behave similar
+to how you might expect from other chat apps.
+
+In most desktop clients, a list of conversations will be down the left-hand
+side in a column. In phone apps, there might be a drawer widget you need to
+pull out.
+
+Selecting different items in this list will change what is shown in the main
+section of the client, above the field you type chat and commands into.
+
+The top one is probably the name of the network, for Libera Chat it is usually
+`Libera`. When you are doing commands you don't want others to see, such as
+registering an account, this is a safe place to type them.
+
+Tabs starting with `#` are group chats, which are called `Channels`. On
+desktop clients, a user membership list will probably show down the right-hand
+side of the screen when you have these conversations selected. On phones the
+membership list might be in another drawer widget.
+
+Tabs underneath the channels are private conversations you have with people,
+or bots, on the network. These are often referred to as "PMs" (Private
+Messages) or "queries".
+
+## Private conversations
+
+You can often start private conversations with someone by double-clicking on
+their name, also called a nickname or nick, in the membership list. If that
+doesn't work you can achieve the same thing using the `/query` command. For
+example, if you wanted to say "hi!" to the person with the nickname "John" you
+would do:
+
+```irc
+/query john hi!
+```
+
+Some people don't like unsolicited private conversations, so only do this with
+people you know from talking in channels after asking their permission.
+
+## Services
+
+Services are specialized bots that help the network run smoothly. They manage
+users and channels, among other things.
+
+Using services is how you [register a nickname](/guides/registration), and
+[identify (log in)](/guides/registration#logging-in) when you return for
+another IRC session in the future.
+
+They're also how you [register channels](/guides/creatingchannels) if you ever
+need to do that.
+
+## Topics
+
+In most IRC clients, a channel's topic description can be found at the top of
+the screen. If you can't see all of it, you can have it displayed to you using
+the `/topic` command.
+
+You can find new channels [using a service](/guides/findingchannels) to search
+by channel name or by topic description.
+
+There are lots of different topics on any IRC network. On Libera Chat, most of
+our channels are about freely-licenced software and collaborative projects.
+Our [network policy](/policies) define what we want the network to be like.
+
+## Channel roles
+
+When you're in channels, you might notice that some people in the membership
+list have symbols next to their nicknames. Most people will not have a role in
+the channels.
+
+The people with symbols have either the "Operator" or "Voiced" roles.
+Operators are the people that run that specific channel. They do things like
+change channel modes, curate the topic, manage channel access. They're also
+responsible for moderating the chat, so sometimes they might silence people
+individually or set the channel to moderated mode. When the channel is in
+moderated mode, Voiced users comments can still be seen. Often channels will
+give Voiced or Operator roles to their helper bots.
+
+## IRC commands cheat sheet
+
+This is a very small sample of commands that you may find useful as you get
+started learning IRC. In many clients, there might be buttons for these.
+
+Command parts shown in `[]` are optional.
+
+- `/join #libera`
+  - Enter the channel `#libera`.
+- `/part [#libera] [message]`
+  - Exit the channel `#libera`.
+  - If no channel is given, you will part the channel you type this into.
+  - The optional message will be shown to only this channel on your departure.
+- `/nick nickname`
+  - Changes your nickname to the one you specify.
+- `/msg nickname message`
+  - Sends a private message to user "nickname" _without_ opening a new
+    conversation window.
+- `/query nickname [message]`
+  - Open a conversation window with user "nickname", and optionally include a
+    message.
+  - The other user will _not_ know you did this until you send messages.
+  - This is useful for ensuring your conversation goes to the correct place,
+    such as when you're [registering](/guides/registration) with `NickServ`.
+- `/me action`
+  - Use this for emotes. It will appear something like `* Nickname action`.
+- `/quit [message]`
+  - Disconnects you from the network.
+  - The optional message will be shown to every channel you are in.
+
+Some commands will differ in implementation depending on your client. If the
+following do not work as expected, see your client's website for documentation
+or ask in their IRC channel. Many have [channels](/guides/findingchannels) on
+Libera Chat.
+
+- `/ignore nickname`
+  - May stop you seeing the user talk. Useful if they are being a pest.
+- `/unignore nickname`
+  - May allow you to see the user again if you change your mind.
+- `/ignores`
+  - May list the current ignores you have set.
+
+## Who runs Libera Chat?
+
+The Libera Chat network is run by volunteers. You can usually
+[find the volunteer staff](/guides/faq#how-to-find-libera-chat-staff) in
+`#libera`, where their channel role will highlight them in the channel
+membership list.
+
+You are invited to message any staff member _without_ asking permission first.
+
+## More resources
+
+If you get lost, you can always join `#libera` and ask questions. That is what
+that channel is there for.
+
+If you are unable to [connect to the network](/guides/connect) at all, you can
+contact staff by email: <support@libera.chat>
+
+There are many more resources available in the [guides section](/guides) of
+our website. This includes a [FAQ](/guides/faq) that might help you with
+troubleshooting problems you encounter.
+
+If you want a more technical overview of IRC, some history of the protocol, or
+info on future plans, we recommend [ircdocs.horse](https://ircdocs.horse) and
+the [IRCV3 working group](https://ircv3.net/) websites.