Quassel


Table of Contents
1. IRC Client (Quassel)
1.1. Why running Quassel?
1.2. How to setup Quassel?
1.3. Clients

1. IRC Client (Quassel)

Quassel is an IRC application that is split into two parts, a "core" and a "client". This allows the core to remain connected to IRC servers, and to continue receiving messages, even when the client is disconnected. FreedomBox can run the Quassel core service keeping you always online and one or more Quassel clients from a desktop or a mobile device can be used to connect and disconnect from it.


1.1. Why running Quassel?

Many discussions about FreedomBox are being done on the IRC-Channel irc://irc.debian.org/freedombox. If your FreedomBox is running Quassel, it will collect all discussions while you are away, such as responses to your questions. Remember, the FreedomBox project is a worldwide project with people from nearly every time zone. You use your client to connect to the Quassel core to read and respond whenever you have time and are available.


1.2. How to setup Quassel?

  • Within Plinth

    1. select Applications

    2. go to IRC Client (Quassel) and

    3. install the application and make sure it is enabled

    4. now your Quassel core is running

  • Configure in your router port forwarding for port 4242

    • on my device, this setting can be found in the section Network > NAT & Port rules > Port Forwarding


1.3. Clients

Clients to connect to Quassel from your desktop and mobile devices are available.

In a Debian system, you can e.g. use quassel-client

  1. With the first start you create a user-ID you want to use in your IRC channel

  2. Configure the network connection, e.g. server irc.debian.org/freedombox

  3. Communication takes place in a channel, e.g. freedombox

  4. Add a core

    1. Chose an account name

    2. Computer name is the DNS name to access your FreedomBox

    3. Port: 4242

    4. User and password

For Android devices you may use e.g. Quasseldroid from F-Droid

  • enter core, username etc. as above

By the way, the German verb quasseln means talking a lot, to jabber.