How to set up the Srain IRC client on Linux
Srain is an attempt to modernize IRC by providing Linux users with a beautiful, Telegram-like user interface and many useful features. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to get the app working on your system and how to use it.
Ubuntu/Debian installation instructions
The Srain IRC client works on Ubuntu, though you’ll need to convert the package from a Fedora RPM package to use it. The reason? The developers of the project have yet to provide a DEB package to download from their website.
To start the installation process, you must install the Alien package conversion tool. Open up a terminal window by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T or Ctrl + Shift + T on the keyboard. Then, use the apt install command below to get the app working.
Note: these instructions should work on Debian 10, Buster. Keep in mind that on Debian, dependencies may differ.
sudo apt install alien
With the Alien package conversion tool set up on your Ubuntu PC, it is time to download the Srain RPM package. Using the wget command, grab the latest Srain.
wget https://download-ib01.fedoraproject.org/pub/epel/8/Everything/x86_64/Packages/s/srain-1.0.0-1.el8.x86_64.rpm
After downloading the package, you must install the dependencies required to run the Srain program (once converted) on Ubuntu. Using the apt install commands, get the dependencies installed.
sudo apt install glib-networking libsoup2.4 libconfig9 libsecret-1-0 openssl
With the dependencies taken care of, the conversion process can begin. Using the alien -dvc command, convert the Srain RPM package to a new DEB package for installation on Ubuntu or Debian Linux.
sudo alien -dvc srain-1.0.0-1.el8.x86_64.rpm
When the conversion process is complete, the Alien package conversion tool will output a Srain DEB package with the name of “srain_1.0.0-2_amd64.deb”. Install this program on your Ubuntu/Debian system with the following apt install command.
sudo apt install ./srain_1.0.0-2_amd64.deb
Flatpak
While it is certainly possible to convert the Fedora release of the Srain IRC client to a fully installable DEB for both Ubuntu and Debian, it isn’t the only way to get Srain working. If you’re not interested in fiddling with Alien, follow the Flatpak instructions in this guide.
Arch Linux installation instructions
The developers of the Srain app do not have an official Arch Linux app in any of the Arch software repositories, for whatever reason. However, Arch Linux users will be able to enjoy the Srain IRC client just fine thanks to the AUR.
To start the installation of Srain on Arch Linux, use the pacman command below to install both the “Git” and “Base-devel” packages. These packages are required to interact with the AUR.
sudo pacman -S git base-devel
With the “Git” and “Base-devel” packages installed on your Linux PC, it is time to install the Trizen AUR helper. This tool will make setting up Srain much easier on Arch, as it takes care of all dependencies automatically. To install Trizen, enter the commands below in a terminal window.
git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/trizen.git cd trizen makepkg -sri
With the Trizen utility set up on your Arch Linux PC, installing the Srain IRC client is as simple as entering the command below.
trizen -S srain-git
Fedora installation instructions
Srain is available for all Fedora Linux users right in the official software repositories. To install it, open up a terminal window by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T or Ctrl + Shift + T on the keyboard. Then enter the dnf install command below to get the app working
sudo dnf install srain
OpenSUSE installation instructions
In the OpenSUSE Build Repository, there are releases of the Srain IRC client for every version of OpenSUSE. Here’s how to install them.
First, head over to the Srain page on the OBS. Then, look for the version of OpenSUSE you currently use and click on the green “1 Click Install” button to get Srain working.
Flatpak installation instructions
Those unable to install Srain by other means will need to turn to Flatpak to get the app working. To start the installation, follow our guide to learn how to set up the Flatpak runtime. Then, enter the commands below to get the app working.
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo flatpak install flathub im.srain.Srain
Set up the Srain IRC client on Linux
Setting up Srain is quite easy compared to most IRC clients due to its simple UI. To get the client working, open it up, and follow the step-by-step instructions below.
Step 1: Look at the “Welcome to Srain” message in the center of the app when it first opens. You’ll notice there is “Quick Mode” and “Advanced Mode.” Keep it on “Quick Mode.” Only use “Advanced Mode” if you are an IRC expert.
Step 2: Find the “Server” tab and click on it to expose the drop-down menu. From there, choose one of the available IRC servers on the list.
Step 3: Find the “Nickname” text-box and click on it. Erase “SrainUser” with the Backspace key.
Step 4: Write in your desired IRC username in the now black “Nickname” box.
After filling out your desired nickname, click the “Connect” button to access the IRC chat!
