+@vindex rcirc-authinfo
+@cindex authentification
+@cindex identification
+@cindex nickserv
+@cindex login
+@code{rcirc-authinfo} is an alist used to automatically identify
+yourself on networks. Each sublist starts with a regular expression
+that is compared to the server address you're connecting to. The second
+element in the list is a symbol representing the method to use, followed
+by the arguments this method requires.
+
+Here is an example to illustrate how you would set it:
+
+@example
+(setq rcirc-authinfo
+ '(("freenode" nickserv "bob" "p455w0rd")
+ ("freenode" chanserv "bob" "#bobland" "passwd99")
+ ("bitlbee" bitlbee "robert" "sekrit")))
+@end example
+
+And here are the valid method symbols and the arguments they require:
+
+@table @code
+@item nickserv
+@cindex nickserv authentification
+Use this symbol if you need to identify yourself as follows when
+connecting to a network: @code{/msg nickserv identify secret}. The
+necessary arguments are the nickname you want to use this for, and the
+password to use.
+
+Before you can use this method, you will have to register your nick and
+pick a password for it. Contact @code{nickserv} and check out the
+details. (Using @code{/msg nickserv help}, for example.)
+
+@item chanserv
+@cindex chanserv authentification
+Use this symbol if you need to identify yourself as follows if you want
+to join a particular channel: @code{/msg chanserv identify #underground
+secret}. The necessary arguments are the nickname and channel you want
+to use this for, and the password to use.
+
+Before you can use this method, a channel contact must tell you about
+the password to use. Contact @code{chanserv} and check out the details.
+(Using @code{/msg chanserv help}, for example.)
+
+@item bitlbee
+@cindex bitlbee authentification
+Use this symbol if you need to identify yourself in the Bitlbee channel
+as follows: @code{identify secret}. The necessary arguments are the
+nickname you want to use this for, and the password to use.
+
+@cindex gateway to other IM services
+@cindex instant messaging, other services
+@cindex Jabber
+@cindex AIM
+@cindex ICQ
+@cindex MSN
+@cindex Yahoo!
+Bitlbee acts like an IRC server, but in fact it is a gateway to a lot of
+other instant messaging services. You can either install Bitlbee
+locally or use a public Bitlbee server. There, you need to create an
+account with a password. This is the nick and password you need to
+provide for the bitlbee authentification method.
+
+Later, you will tell Bitlbee about your accounts and passwords on all
+the other instant messaging services, and Bitlbee will log you in. All
+@code{rcirc} needs to know, is the login to your Bitlbee account. Don't
+confuse the Bitlbee account with all the other accounts.
+@end table
+
+@kindex C-c C-SPC
+@vindex rcirc-track-minor-mode
+@cindex switching channels
+@cindex tracking activity
+@cindex active channel
+@cindex abbreviated channel names
+@cindex modeline tracks activity
+Most people want a notification when something is said on a channel they
+have joined, particularly if they have been addressed directly. There
+is a global minor mode that will do this kind of tracking for you. All
+you need to do is switch it on using @kbd{M-x rcirc-track-minor-mode}.
+To make this permanent, add the following to your init file:
+
+@example
+(rcirc-track-minor-mode 1)
+@end example
+
+When other people say things in buffers that are currently buried (no
+window is showing them), the mode line will now show you the abbreviated
+channel or nick name. Use @kbd{C-c C-@key{SPC}} to switch to these
+buffers.
+
+@vindex rcirc-mode-hook
+If you prefer not to load @code{rcirc} immediately, you can delay the
+activation of this mode:
+
+@example
+(add-hook 'rcirc-mode-hook
+ (lambda ()
+ (rcirc-track-minor-mode 1)))
+@end example
+