Hit a problem using Node.js?
Confused about how to use a module?
Maybe you just want to profess your love for Node.js?
The Node.js IRC channels are vibrant gatherings of volunteers that want to make
Node.js and its friends the best platform available on ALL operating systems!
Are you a rookie?
Just getting starting?
A bit nervous to ask a question that might be silly?
Don't worry- most people feel that way initially. To make Node.js even more super awesome, it requires new people come on board. And we all understand that they may have silly questions. It isn't a big deal- but there are a few things you should know before you jump in. Here we go...
Freenode Webchat
Connecting can't get much easier. Freenode offers this free in-browser chat client.
Node.js Code of Conduct & confcodeofconduct.com
The node.js IRC should be welcoming to everyone. Use these to check yourself before
you wreck yourself.
tl;dr: behavior that causes people to be unwelcome/uncomfortable should be kept out of the channel.
Policy on Trolling
Read it. Don't break it.
IRC Logs
Never miss a thing!
Catch up on way-back-when goodness!
Figure out what that darn link was that you can't remember!
Stack Overflow
Your problem may already be solved! Or if IRC doesn't work out for you- definitely
give Stack Overflow a whirl. Many great experts helping out over there.
Node.js Slack Community
An open community for Node.js discussion. Includes a channel which is integrated directly with #Node.js IRC for easy communication.
Visit nodeslackers.io to register
The Node.js community is global. It is very important to realize that your mid afternoon crisis is happening at 3AM for others! (Or should I say 03:00) There is no time-of-day that is "best" to seek help.
The channels are open to all. That includes experts, novices, noobies, and... of course the occasional smart ass, jerk, hater, troll ...etc. The channels are moderated by several volunteers living all around the world. In the inevitable case of a misbehaving member, they will step in and resolve the issue to ensure the community keeps a positive vibe.
Everyone in a channel is there on their own free will. No one is required to help you. Most people just have the channel open, are mostly silent, but enjoy multi tasking and helping whenever they can.
Many module authors are connected but have their IRC client running in the background. If you have a question about a specific module, it is better to ask your question to everyone and not directly to the author. Module authors are volunteers too! They may be busy at the moment.
TIP!: A question asked directly to someone will be ignored by everyone else!
TIP!: NEVER ASSUME A NON-RESPONSE IS VICIOUS!
I'm going to unofficially declare:
- RULE #1: Ask Google first. If your answer is easily found on Google do not ask in IRC.
- RULE #2: Check the Node.js API docs. They're actually quite good!
TIP! You can find older Node.js API docs here: http://nodejs.org/docs/
If you haven't put in a reasonable effort to resolve the issue on your own- you'll just irritate people. Volunteers want to help you- not work for you.
Also, it is a really good idea to search the Node.js issues on Github. Both Open & Closed issues! This is especially true if you are still using an older version of Node. The solution to your problem may be that you need to upgrade to the latest stable version.
The more detailed and well prepared your question is the more likely you are to get help.
The more complicated your scenario is, the more detailed you should be. (example: https://gist.github.com/williamkapke/6477189)
The example above was something I experienced in a large application of mine. It took me several hours to create that whittled down use case that removed all unnecessary code possible. I focused on making it as easy as possible for others to follow and work with. The result: some gracious folks did run the code and ultimately surfaced a confirmed bug.
Here are some common questions that will generally will go ignored:
- "Can someone help me?"
- "Can I ask a question?"
- "Hey, does anyone here have experience with Express?" (or other thing)
- "What's wrong with this code: <big blob pasted in>"
I'm having a problem with socket.io. I've searched google for the error and cannot find anything. When I call this.emit('foo') I'm getting the error '<Object> does not have a function emit()'. You can see my code here: http://pastebin.com/asdf1234"
(That is a completely made up example. Send me a PR to suggest a better one!)
Here, a simplistic high-level overview starts the question and then ends with a way for a volunteer to click a link to a well-know service to examine the details.
It's very very OK to be a rookie! Often when you're getting started, you're confused about what-is-what and don't know where to start. We've all been there!
If you are told to "Go ask in channel X!"... do not get offended often you'll discover that the channel you're referred to will do a much better job.
For example: People often ask C/C++ questions in the #Node.js channel. Although
it may be related to #Node.js the channel doesn't discuss it often or in great
detail. You may get more love in #libuv or #v8.
####The #Node.js channel has a few cousins:
The #node-dev is the channel for discussing Node.js core development and other things related to the Node.js Project itself. Most of the collaborators engage in here, and it is a great place for discussing both broad topics about node, and node's internals.
The ##javascript channel is the unofficial IRC channel for the language itself, which Node.js runs. Although there are many helpful people in the #Node.js channel, if you have more generic or browser-related JavaScript questions, you may find more help there.
The #js-irc channel is a newer javascript channel than ##javascript, and has a code of conduct. If you have general javascript questions, they're welcome there.
Node.js strives to run on all platforms. Node.js provides a platform agnostic API
to Operating System functions. To accomplish this, Node.js delegates things to the
libuv library. If you are having low-level operating system issues, this may be
the place you want to ask.
The members here frequently need to work with v8 and are often very knowledgeable about v8 (in the context of Node.js) also.
Node.js uses the v8 JavaScript engine. This means we rely on them to bring new JavaScript features to Node.js. It also means bugs/quirks trickle into Node.js.
Very important to know: V8 is a google backed product that is primarily focused on Google products. You may not get love if you ask about a specific Node.js issue. DO NOT HATE THEM (Google) FOR THIS! They are doing amazing things that Node.js is able to leverage. Be grateful for this gift. They have no obligation to cater to the Node.js community. (And that's OK!)
You should probably have a decent knowledge of v8 if asking here.
Here is a guide with some tips on how to effectively moderate and deal with trolls: https://gist.github.com/maxogden/8610086