Ever wish you could mute someone on IRC? Maybe someone is talking about a movie you haven’t seen yet. Maybe a bot is making a lot of announcements in a channel and you don’t want to see them. Or maybe someone is just annoying you and you don’t want to listen to him anymore. The IGNORE command is likely to be the solution.

How do I ignore someone?

The IGNORE command is a client-side feature, not a command included on the IRC server. As a result, the exact way the command works depends upon the client that you use. Generally, you use the following command:

/IGNORE <nick>

Let’s say you’ve had your fill (so to speak) of LordBaconCheeseburger. You’d use the following command:

/IGNORE LordBaconCheeseburger

After that, you would no longer hear anything LordBaconCheeseburger has to say. Your client may support more complex features, such as the ability to ignore only some messages (such as ignoring PMs but not comments in a channel). Check your client’s documentation for specific details on how the command works.

How do I ignore someone who keeps changing nicknames?

You can keep adding nicks to your ignore list by using the command for each new nick. If someone is following a pattern, however, your client may allow you to use * as a wildcard. Let’s say LordBaconCheeseburger keeps changing nicks, if your client allows wild cards, you can use this command:

/IGNORE Lord*Cheeseburger

After that, you would no longer hear anything from LordBaconCheeseburger, LordCheeseburger, or LordDoubleCheeseburger.

If your client allows you to ignore by hostmask, you may be able to use this command, which works in mIRC:

/IGNORE *!*@protectedhost-ABCDEFG.fios.wi.cheesehead.net

With this command, any connection with that hostmask would be ignored, no matter what nick the user has. Remember though that these commands depend upon the client you are using. Some clients do not support these options at all.

How do you stop ignoring someone?

The way you remove someone from your IGNORE list depends upon the client you use. On some you can use this command:

/UNIGNORE <nick>
For instance, /UNIGNORE LordBaconCheeseburger

On other clients you use the same exact command you used to block the person: /IGNORE <nick>. The first time you type the command the client blocks the user, and the second time it removes the block.

Finally, some clients have their own system for managing the IGNORE list. You may need to access an address book or a user list. Check your client’s documentation for the specific details.

How does the IGNORE command work on different clients?

Each client has its own method for using the IGNORE command. Some pop up a box that lists everyone you have ignored. Some have an Address Book where you can check who you have ignored. Some feature ways to ignore one kind of message while still receiving another. It’s best to check the documentation for whatever client you use. Here is information for some of the more popular clients on GeekShed:

—tengrrl