Several IRC channels and mailing lists are available for discussing GIMP-related topics. IRC offers real-time communication, but be aware that there may be long periods of silence in the channels when other users are busy or away from their keyboards. When you join the GIMP IRC channels, please do not ask if somebody can help you. If you have a question, ask directly and then wait patiently to see if someone answers. Other recommendations can be found at the bottom of this page.
The official GIMP IRC channels are on GIMPNet (irc.gimp.org) and have existed for more than 10 years. Many channels related to GTK+ and GNOME are also on GIMPNet.
- irc://irc.gimp.org/#gimp-users
- The main support channel for GIMP users. This is probably the right
place to ask questions (but please see the hints at the
bottom of this page). This channel might be less scary than #gimp,
especially for new users…
- irc://irc.gimp.org/#gimp
- This is the main GIMP channel, created in early 1997. Both users and
developers hang around, and almost any question about GIMP is ontopic. From
a user’s point of view, this can be a downside: discussion often focuses on
GIMP development and the bleeding edge version of GIMP.
- irc://irc.gimp.org/#gimp-web
- A channel devoted to this web site and related GIMP sites. Most active
when the migration from classic.gimp.org happened a few years
ago, it is pretty quiet now. But if you have suggestions or issues with the
current website, this channel is for you.
- irc://irc.gimp.org/#gimps
- Being an abbreviation of “gimp social”, this channel is for the GIMP
people, and anything but GIMP is ontopic here.
- irc://irc.gimp.org/#gimp-fr
- GIMP in French
Other IRC networks
The main GIMP IRC channels described above are on GIMPNet (irc://irc.gimp.org/), the official network for topics related to GIMP and GNOME. However, several channels also exist on other IRC networks:
- irc://irc.freenode.net/#gimp
- It is recommended that users migrate from that channel to #gimp-users on GIMPNet, described above.
- irc://irc.freenode.net/#gimp-fr
- It is recommended that users migrate from that channel to #gimp-fr on GIMPNet, described above.
- irc://irc.freenode.net/#gimp-de
- GIMP in German.
- irc://irc.freenode.net/#gimp-pl
- GIMP in Polish.
- irc://irc.freenode.net/#gimp-es
- GIMP in Spanish.
- irc://irc.freenode.net/#gimp-it
- GIMP in Italian.
Rules and hints
- Don’t expect to be greeted. Start talking or listen.
- Don’t ask to ask, just ask. Questions like “May I ask a question?” are obsolete, you have obviously joined the channel to do something. Questions like “Can someone help me?” cannot be answered until you have described your problem. Be direct and describe your problem or question immediately.
- Be patient. This is not a phone support line.
- Don’t ask frequently asked questions. Using a search engine, visiting this web site, the developer site and reading the documentation will help you to determine if your question falls into this category. It’s not forbidden to ask the question, though, but you should be prepared for answers like “RTFM” or “use Google”.
- Don’t mess with other users. In case of doubt, they are far more experienced than you, might have admin status or be the equivalent to gods, IRC operators. An occasional joke is ok (unless your sense of humor is really weird), but try to keep a minimum of maturity.
- Don’t make fun of other people’s problems with the language. English is the language used in the main GIMP-related channels and it might not be the native language of some users.
- Don’t assume that you can break the rules if others seem to do so. There are a few users in #gimp who have been granted a jester’s license. Additionally, there is an unwritten rule that you may talk offtopic up to the amount of your ontopic contribution.
- In #gimp (the main channel), the GIMP developers have special privileges and may use and abuse them. If you are not comfortable with that, then you should join #gimp-users instead.
- Don’t mess with the admins. You will regret it.
- Say what you want, tell us what you’ve done, and be precise about it.
