
*NOTE: The Go ftp archive site at IGS has changed


An introduction to the game of Go can be found at:

  http://igs.joyjoy.net/English/learning_go/learning_go_1.html


gGo, a great new Java client for IGS. Works with PC Windows, UNIX/Linux,
 and Apple Macintosh OS X. A new version was released in March, 2003
 For more information visit
 
       http://panda-igs.joyjoy.net/java/gGo/intro.html


An updated version of this document can be found at:

        http://igs.joyjoy.net/English/sintro1.html


              A Brief Introduction to the Internet Go Server
                http://igs.joyjoy.net/English/content.html


Welcome to IGS Panda Net, the Internet Go Server, the world's leading forum 
for playing, watching, studying, and enjoying the game of Go on the internet. 
At any time, day or night, you can find hundreds of other players from all 
over the world and of all playing levels, from beginners to professionals.
Whatever your ability, you can find opponents of similar skill to play with,
and IGS provides access to the interface software to create a realistic Go
board on your computer screen. IGS broadcasts live the championship matches
for top professional events, including the Meijin, Honinbo, Kisei, Judan and
Tengen titles and the Ricoh Cup professional pairs tournament - and daily 
you can watch professionals playing informal quick games with each other and 
with top amateurs.

IGS has recently expanded its offerings for Go enthusiasts. Professional
commentaries on randomly selected amateur games played on IGS are presented
in the month IGS Panda Net Mail Magazine.

             http://igs.joyjoy.net/English/magazine.html

The IGS Art Gallery (http://igs.joyjoy.net/English/galleryintro.html),
features a rare and beautiful collection of classical Japanese and Chinese
paintings containing Go themes. And there is a collection of challenging
life-and-death (http://igs.joyjoy.net/English/tsumego/tsumegointro.html)
exercises to sharpen your skill.

This is a short file to help you get started on IGS. For additional
information, look around the IGS Panda Net home site:

             http://igs.joyjoy.net/English/


Here are some hints on how to get going on IGS:

1. Where is IGS right now?
2. What do I do now? (a summary of some important commands)
3. What is the rating system? How does it work?
4. Are there clients for IGS?
5. What is IGS like?
6. IGS games archives



1. Where is IGS right now?

Currently, IGS is physically located in Tokyo, Japan.

TO CONNECT TO IGS, use the telnet program:

                  telnet igs.joyjoy.net 6969
              or  telnet 210.146.253.13 6969

Sometimes there could be problems trying to reach IGS by using
telnet igs.joyjoy.net 6969, so we suggest you use the IP address instead.

                  telnet 210.146.253.13 6969

  **  We recommend using the IP numbers 210.146.253.13 6969 instead of the
      the 'symbolic' (name address) igs.joyjoy.net 6969.

If you are using a VMS system, use:

                  telnet igs.joyjoy.net /port=6969
              or  telnet 210.146.253.13 /port=6969

              or  telnet /port=6969 igs.joyjoy.net
                  telnet /port=6969 210.146.253.13

ALTERNATE IGS PORT NUMBER (7777)
Some sites have blocked the telnet port number 6969 due to heavy IRC
use, and some IGS players have been unable to telnet to IGS as a result.
However, there is an alternate IGS port number. If you are experiencing
problems, try port number  7777

                  telnet igs.joyjoy.net 7777
              or  telnet 210.146.253.13 7777

  VMS systems:
                  telnet igs.joyjoy.net /port=7777
              or  telnet 210.146.253.13 /port=7777

              or  telnet /port=7777 igs.joyjoy.net
                  telnet /port=7777 210.146.253.13


       Important Note:  Remember to use the port number. Without the
       port number, you _cannot_ connect to IGS. Some systems use a
       menu system, and the port selection may be separate from the
       telnet address   igs.joyjoy.net
       Choose the port number separately if this is the case.

** You can also use a 'client' program to connect to IGS. See section 4



2. So what do I do now?

You can log in to the IGS game server as a guest and watch games, read
documentation, and use a few commands, but to experience the full benefit
of IGS you need to register an account. If you wish to register an account,
please visit the registration URL located at:

        http://igs.joyjoy.net

If you made no errors when entering your email address, you will receive
your registration letter in a few seconds or a few hours. This letter will
will contain the name you chose, your password, and other information whose
use will become apparent later. Please save this letter for reference. The
registration letter also contains important information on the IGS policies
and usage agreement. Please read it carefully. If you do not receive your
registration letter, then your registration failed. Simply register again.
Please do not send email to IGS asking them to register an account for you.
All users must register themselves.

After you receive your registration letter, log in to IGS with your new
account. All the IGS commands should be available to you, but if not, it
probably means you entered IGS as a guest account. From this point you
will be treated as a guest account with limited use. Only registered
accounts have full IGS usage.


If you have connected to IGS successfully via the port number, you will see
the following IGS _login_ message, and at the bottom of it you will see the
'Login' prompt.

-----
Escape character is '^]'.
                Welcome to IGS at igs.joyjoy.net 6969 (9.0)
                   Copyright(c) 1992-2002 PANDA NET Inc.
                                  @@
            @@@@       @@         @@@     There is no expectation of privacy
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@     @@@        @@@     on this server.
 @@@@@ @@      @@@     @@@   @@   @@
 @@    @@@     @@      @@    @@@  @@      There is no warranty, implied or
 @@     @@@@@  @@      @@     @   @@ @    expressed, provided with this
 @@ @@@@@@@@   @@      @@     @   @@@@@   software.
 @@     @      @@      @@@@ @@@@@@@@      Please let us know what you think:
 @@     @@@@   @@    @@@@@@ @@@   @@      igs-adm@panda-igs.joyjoy.net
 @@  @@@@@     @@  @@@@@@     @ @ @@
 @@     @  @@@ @@      @@     @@@ @@
 @@    @@@@@@@ @@     @@@     @   @@      If you are new to the server, you
 @@@@@@@@   @@ @@     @@@@@   @@@@@@      need to type 'guest' at the Login:
 @@     @   @  @@    @@@@@@   @@@ @@        prompt. You will be given a guest
 @@     @  @@  @@ @ @@ @@     @  @@@@@@@@@  account.
 @@     @      @@  @@  @@  @@@@@@@@@   @@ 
 @@     @      @@  @   @@ @@@             To register, please visit the IGS
 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@      @@    @@@  @       home page located at:
@@@@@@@@@@    @@@      @@    @@@  @@@@          http://igs.joyjoy.net
 @@           @@@      @@    @@    @@@@   
 @             @@      @@   @@      @@@   Online help is available after you
               @@      @   @@        @@   enter IGS.  For help, enter:  help
Login:
-----


You will know that you failed to reach IGS if you did not see the above IGS
_login_ message. This could be because you somehow did not include the port
number.

If you see something like the following message instead of the IGS _login_ 
message then you will know that you did not reach IGS:

-----
Trying 210.146.253.....
             Connected to igs.joyjoy.net.
             Escape character is '^]'.

             These are not the droids you are looking for.
             If you want to use the Internet Go Server, try:
                   telnet igs.joyjoy.net 6969

             Connection closed by foreign host.
-----

If you see the above, instead of the IGS _login_ prompt, it means you
failed to reach IGS because the port number was not used, and there is
no way for you to connect to IGS from this point. Try again and be sure
to use the port number.


If you are new to IGS, two really useful reference commands are:
  help   and   help commands

"help commands" will give you a list of commands, and you can get help on
any of them.

Here are a few to check out:

* password - Use this to change your password from the random one that you
             had originally.

* rank - This command allows you to set your rank.  The one you set
         before your first game is your seed rank, for rating purposes.
         If you have never played Go before, start with 30k.

* match - This command allows you to ask for a game.  A brief note
          here:  It is generally good IGS etiquette to ask for a game via
         "tell" (see below) before issuing the match command. This is
          also superior to shouting for a game.

** NOTE:  Not all players on IGS speak or understand English. Therefore
many non-English players do not ask for a game, and instead they will
simply send you a game request without asking. Please be aware of this fact
and do not become upset if you receive random game requests. Some Asian
software programs will send automatic responses in English to specific
questions, statements, and situations, but this does not mean the person
speaks English.

* tell - use  "tell <person> <message>" to talk to another person.
         Example:   tell goplayer hello

* who - This lets you see who is logged on, their ranks, and whether
        they are playing, looking for a game, open to the possibility of
        playing, or not interested in playing.

* user - This is similar to "who" but tells you the country of the
         people listed, and their preferred language, if it isn't English.

* stats - with no parameters, gives your own stats. stats <name> to
          get someone else's stats.

* games - Lists the games being played.

* observe - observe <game #> allows you to watch and kibitz a game

* kibitz - kibitz <message>, or ' <message>, makes a comment while
           observing a game.
           Example:  kibitz interesting move

A quick etiquette note:  When kibitzing on a game, limit your
comments to the game. For information on a chat channel, do "help
yell".

A further note: When commenting on high Dan, or professional games,
employ some courtesy and discretion. IGS is fortunate that it attracts
so many strong players and pros, and criticizing a pro's play in a rude
fashion, or questioning his (or her) strength is no way to encourage
any of them to return. Please remember to eliminate personal comments
about the player, as it is simply rude. Also, recall that many pros do not
speak English as a first language, so extra care should be taken with the
tone of kibitzes.


* info - info <message> allows you to put anything in your info field.
         Your name, a serious message, a silly message...  whatever.

* toggle - There are various flags to be set on your account.  Do a
           help toggle to see an explanation of them.

* shout - use shout <message> to send message to all of IGS. Use this
          sparingly, for things you really need help with.



3. What is the rating system? How does it work?

As I said before, the rank command allows you to set your initial rank
in the IGS rating system. Until you have played 20 games, that number
will appear as your rank when people "stats" you, or look at you in the
"who" output. After 20 games, your computer generated rating will appear
there. It will look like 15k* (for example).

You should be aware that the ratings on IGS are about 2-3 stones stonger
than most other rating systems. The ratings are generated by a computer
algorithm, and are different than most club rating in this way. It might
help not to think of the IGS rating in the same way you think of your
"real world" rating. IGS ratings are unique, and measure something that
is slightly different than your normal Go strength. Some people don't 
take the Go on IGS as seriously as they do normally, they might have a or
glass of wine while they are playing. These people are typically a stone 
so weaker on IGS. Some, on the other hand, take IGS very seriously, and
find that they play better when they are away from the distrations of a Go
club, alone by their computers. These players might be stronger on IGS.
The purpose of the ratings on IGS is to ensure that it is easy to find the
appropriate handicap when you play others. Don't take them too seriously.

For more detailed information on the rating system, do "help rating" on IGS.



4. Are there any clients for IGS?

You've discovered that you don't like watching the ascii boards scroll 
by, and you want something better. Well, thanks to some great programmers
donating their time, there are many options. Try using a client program
with IGS.

All of the clients are available for anonymous ftp on ftp-igs.joyjoy.net
in the directory Go/igs_clients.

To get a client use ftp from your shell, a Web browser, or use a ftp program.

  1) From a shell:            ftp ftp-igs.joyjoy.net
         login as:            anonymous
         password:            Use your email address as the password
         client directory:    cd Go/igs_clients

  2) From a Web browser:      ftp://ftp-igs.joyjoy.net/Go/igs_clients

If you are using a PC, we recommend the 'Panda Egg', which is a client
with a graphic interface for IGS. The 'Panda Egg' comes in four language
versions, English, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese.

      ftp://ftp-igs.joyjoy.net/Go/igs_clients/PC/

 If you are using UNIX or Linux, we recommend 'xgospel'.

      ftp://ftp-igs.joyjoy.net/Go/igs_clients/UNIX/

 If you are using a Macintosh, try 'goservant' or 'macgo'.

      ftp://ftp-igs.joyjoy.net/Go/igs_clients/Macintosh/

A few notes on compiling clients and getting help:  There is a set of
instructions on unpacking the files on the ftp server in the top directory.
Most of the clients have README files with them, plus some decent
documentation. Read them! If this is not enough, message the *person that
wrote the client*. DON'T ask the IGS administrators. They have NOTHING
to do with writing the clients.

If you use a client, you will be in the 'client mode', and should you
telnet to IGS without the client, you may find your prompt has changed
and looks like:

  1 1  or  1 5

Don't panic if you don't see your familiar prompt, just complete your login
enter your password, then enter     toggle client
Also you may start seeing coordinates of moves if you observe a game instead
the usual board. If this happens, just enter    toggle verbose

On IGS, see    help toggle



5. What is IGS like?

IGS has some obvious, and some not so obvious differences from the normal
Go club you might be familiar with. The most obvious difference is that
you don't see your opponents, who are likely very far from where you are.
IGS has players who log in regularly from all over the world, from Australia
to Finaland, and all points in between. With so many different cultures on
IGS, there are some occasional conflicts. Although English is generally the
language of the internet, many people on IGS are not fluent in it. Try to
avoid saying things that can be misunderstood as insulting. It is important
to be careful when you deal with people who can't see you smile, and can't
tell by your tone of voice when you are joking. Most problems that stem from
misunderstandings can be solved by concentrating on being polite. Remember
that the person you are talking to could be an 8 year old girl in Germany,
a well respected 50 year old man in Korea, or even a computer program 
running on a machine in California, USA. Go is becoming more and more a
truly international game. If you are polite and considerate, you will
develop friendships with people all over the world!

Often people will have problems with their connections to IGS, try to be
patient with them if they do, and warn prospective opponents if you have
a bad connection.



6. IGS game archives

Some IGS games are archived and are available by anonymous ftp at:

             ftp-igs.joyjoy.net  or  210.146.253.25


If you have any other questions, feel free to ask people on IGS. You will
be surprised how friendly and helpful the typical IGSer is.

Good luck!




A quick thanks to the administrators who got IGS going, and keep IGS going.
Also thanks to the client writers!


One more note:  Ken Warkentyne, Olli Lounella, and Frederic Chauveau have
written an excellent piece on IGS etiquette. It is available from the IGS
archive site. It is highly recommended. Everyone enjoys IGS more when 
people adhere to simple rules of etiquette.

This FAQ was the creation of rjs, who bequeathed it to angus. It was updated
and expanded, then maintained by angus for a couple of years. Please send
corrections or suggestions for changes to 
tweet@panda-igs.joyjoy.net.

        That's it for now. See you on IGS!


Last update:  2003 March 19 

