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== How to get the bitlbee version ==

== General ==

=
== How to get the bitlbee version ===
Line 17: Line 21:
== Version "3.2.1+otr4-1" losing messages or crashing == === Version "3.2.1+otr4-1" losing messages or crashing ===
Line 23: Line 27:
== Can't connect to google talk == === <root> Setting ` ' does not exist. (and similar errors) ===

You might have a OTR plugin in your irc client or bouncer, which sends a whitespace pattern (made of spaces and tabs) when it's set to "opportunistic" mode, and having that at the end of root commands confuses bitlbee. Find a way to disable it. (Note that the bitlbee otr plugin does the same, but only where it makes sense).

=== How to show offline nicks in /names list ===

{{{
chan &bitlbee set show_users online+,away+,offline
}}}

=== Loop of "Trying to take over existing session" ===

The session takeover feature isn't particularly good, and should be avoided. Do {{{set allow_takeover off}}} and consider using a bouncer like [[http://znc.in/|ZNC]] instead if you need this.

----

== SSL / TLS ==

=== How to connect to the bitlbee server with SSL/TLS? ===
 
Use stunnel or tls-enabled irc bouncer (e.g. [[http://znc.in/|ZNC]]) in front of it. (TODO: docs)

=== What SSL/TLS library does bitlbee use? ===

Either gnutls, openssl, or nss, depending on compilation parameters.

GnuTLS is the most common one, most distros use it, and it's the recommended option.

OpenSSL has no detection code (will never be used unless chosen explicitly) and will show a warning about the [[https://people.gnome.org/~markmc/openssl-and-the-gpl.html|possible GNU GPL license incompatibility]] when trying to compile against it. Last time i checked, only openbsd compiled bitlbee against openssl.

NSS is used by redhat based distros - RHEL, centos, fedora, etc. Affected by this bug http://bugs.bitlbee.org/bitlbee/ticket/785 - but should be okay when using the systemd scripts provided in their packages, or inetd mode.

=== Using NSS, can't establish connections ("Unusuable response" etc) ===

(NSS is the default ssl/tls library in redhat based distros like centos or fedora)

Workaround, start bitlbee like this:

{{{
nohup bitlbee -Dn &
}}}

Or start bitlbee using xinetd. Or use the distro provided systemd units / init scripts (the fedora ones start it correctly)

Bug http://bugs.bitlbee.org/bitlbee/ticket/785

There's a fix for this issue in the fedora 22 packages.

----

== Compilation / installation issues ==

=== "help otr" gives a help message but "otr foo" says "unknown command" ===

The help text is always included even if you don't have the otr plugin installed. Install it.

=== I've rebuilt bitlbee and everything seems the same ===

Check {{{ps aux}}}, kill all old bitlbee processes. Disconnect your irc client. Ensure that you installed to the right place (the configure script installs to /usr/local by default)

=== The nick is (probably) not registered ===

Check that the permissions of the files in /var/lib/bitlbee match the user that is running the bitlbee daemon.

=== `make install` throws errors about xmlto not found ===

It's building the user guide. Install asciidoc. You could also ignore the error.

=== Random issues that make no sense at all and absolutely nobody understands ===

Might be selinux. If you're on a redhat distro, use their packages and init scripts, which are correctly configured. Otherwise, learn to configure it or disable it.

----

== Jabber ==

=== Can't connect to google talk ===
Line 31: Line 111:
== "help otr" gives a help message but "otr foo" says "unknown command" ==

The help text is always included even if you don't have the otr plugin installed. Install it.

== Skype plugin losing messages ==
=== jabber: Setting `oauth' does not exist. ===

You're using bitlbee-libpurple, which has a different jabber implementation without oauth. Install the normal bitlbee if you don't need any libpurple specific plugins.

As of 3.2.2 you can build bitlbee with the builtin jabber module and libpurple by running ./configure with --jabber=1 --purple=1

Tickets: http://bugs.bitlbee.org/bitlbee/ticket/1141 http://bugs.bitlbee.org/bitlbee/ticket/731

=== How to register a new jabber account in a server? ===

Not supported yet. You can use a client like psi or gajim one time just to do the registration step, then do the rest in bitlbee.

=== Is there google hangouts groupchat support? ===

No. One to one chats should still work through jabber.

----

== Facebook's jabber ==

=== Several "FacebookUser" contacts that can't be identified ===

These are most likely profiles that were deleted or that blocked you. They might be included in the friends list of your facebook profile. The facebook mobile app might show an option to remove those contacts.

=== facebook: Users join before sending messages, then quit ===

This is bitlbee showing exactly what the facebook xmpp server says. You might want to ignore it in your irc client.

Example /ignore for irssi (will not work for other clients)

{{{
/ignore *!*@chat.facebook.com JOINS QUITS
}}}

=== Facebook says that I use an application called "Rtgw_xmpp_username_password_login" ===

This probably means "Realtime gateway xmpp username/password login" and it happens when you use password based login instead of oauth. See HowtoFacebook

=== Is there facebook groupchat support? ===

No. Groupchats aren't supported in Facebook's XMPP, so Bitlbee can't support them.

=== Other weird issues with facebook ===

The fallback answer for most facebook issues is "blame their server" - it's not a real xmpp server but a gateway to their service, which doesn't have a history of being particularly stable.

(But if the issue is not here or in HowtoFacebook, ask on IRC! We might find a solution)

----

== Twitter ==

See also issues listed in HowtoTwitter

=== twitter: Error: Could not retrieve /1.1/favorites/create.json: 404 Not Found (Sorry, that page does not exist) ===

The tweet was deleted

=== twitter: Error: Stream closed (200 OK) ===

Bitlbee has to reconnect due to twitter server side maintenance. It's often harmless, but might be annoying, see the following question.

=== twitter - Login error: Could not retrieve /friends/ids.xml: 403 Forbidden (SSL is required) ===

Upgrade to 3.2.1 (or 3.2.2)

Note that some builds are labeled 3.2-1, this is not the same as 3.2.1

=== Twitter shows messages from blocked users ===

Turns out we're supposed to get a list of blocked users and hide them on our side. (TODO: trac ticket)

=== Twitter reconnects too often, it's annoying ===

Try this:

{{{
account twitter set show_old_mentions 0
}}}

----

== MSN ==

=== msn - Error: Session terminated by remote server (RCT) ===

RCT means reconnect. The remote server needs to restart for maintenance.

=== Is MSN still alive? ===

Yes, and microsoft still uses the msn protocol internally. See HowtoMsn

----

== Other questions ==

(Add new questions here, move them later.)

=== Skype plugin losing messages ===
Line 39: Line 213:
== jabber: Setting `oauth' does not exist. ==

You're using bitlbee-libpurple, which has a different jabber implementation without oauth. Install the normal bitlbee if you don't need any libpurple specific plugins.

As of 3.2.2 you can build bitlbee with the builtin jabber module and libpurple by running ./configure with --jabber=1 --purple=1

Tickets: http://bugs.bitlbee.org/bitlbee/ticket/1141 http://bugs.bitlbee.org/bitlbee/ticket/731

== I've rebuilt bitlbee and everything seems the same ==

Check {{{ps aux}}}, kill all old bitlbee processes. Disconnect your irc client. Ensure that you installed to the right place (the configure script installs to /usr/local by default)

== msn - Error: Session terminated by remote server (RCT) ==

RCT means reconnect. The remote server needs to restart for maintenance.

== The nick is (probably) not registered ==

Check that the permissions of the files in /var/lib/bitlbee match the user that is running the bitlbee daemon.

== twitter: Error: Could not retrieve /1.1/favorites/create.json: 404 Not Found (Sorry, that page does not exist) ==

The tweet was deleted

== `make install` throws errors about xmlto not found ==

It's building the user guide. Install asciidoc. You could also ignore the error.

== Random issues that make no sense at all and absolutely nobody understands ==

Might be selinux. If you're on a redhat distro, use their packages and init scripts, which are correctly configured. Otherwise, learn to configure it or disable it.

== <root> Setting ` ' does not exist. (and similar errors) ==

You might have a OTR plugin in your irc client or bouncer, which sends a whitespace pattern (made of spaces and tabs) when it's set to "opportunistic" mode, and having that at the end of root commands confuses bitlbee. Find a way to disable it. (Note that the bitlbee otr plugin does the same, but only where it makes sense).

== How to register a new jabber account in a server? ==

Not supported yet. You can use a client like psi or gajim one time just to do the registration step, then do the rest in bitlbee.

== How to configure bitlbee to listen on SSL/TLS? ==

Use stunnel or tls-enabled irc bouncer (e.g. [[http://znc.in/|ZNC]]) in front of it. (TODO: docs)

== How to show offline nicks in /names list ==

{{{
chan &bitlbee set show_users online+,away+,offline
}}}

== Twitter shows messages from blocked users ==

Turns out we're supposed to get a list of blocked users and hide them on our side. (TODO: trac ticket)

== facebook: Several "FacebookUser" contacts that can't be identified ==

These are most likely profiles that were deleted or that blocked you. They might be included in the friends list of your facebook profile. The facebook mobile app might show an option to remove those contacts.

== facebook: Users join before sending messages, then quit ==

This is bitlbee showing exactly what the facebook xmpp server says. You might want to ignore it in your irc client.

Example /ignore for irssi (will not work for other clients)

{{{
/ignore *!*@chat.facebook.com JOINS QUITS
}}}

== facebook: Other weird issues ==

The fallback answer for most facebook issues is "blame their server" - it's not a real xmpp server but a gateway to their service, which doesn't have a history of being particularly stable.

(But if the issue is not here or in HowtoFacebook, ask on IRC! We might find a solution)

== twitter: Error: Stream closed (200 OK) ==

Bitlbee has to reconnect due to twitter server side maintenance. It's often harmless, but might be annoying, see the following question.

== Twitter reconnects too often, it's annoying ==

Try this:

{{{
account twitter set show_old_mentions 0
}}}

== What SSL/TLS library does bitlbee use? ==

Either gnutls, openssl, or nss, depending on compilation parameters.

GnuTLS is the most common one, most distros use it, and it's the recommended option.

OpenSSL has no detection code (will never be used unless chosen explicitly) and will show a warning about the [[https://people.gnome.org/~markmc/openssl-and-the-gpl.html|possible GNU GPL license incompatibility]] when trying to compile against it. Last time i checked, only openbsd compiled bitlbee against openssl.

NSS is used by redhat based distros - RHEL, centos, fedora, etc. Affected by this bug http://bugs.bitlbee.org/bitlbee/ticket/785 - but should be okay when using the systemd scripts provided in their packages, or inetd mode.

== Is there facebook groupchat support? ==

No. Groupchats aren't supported in Facebook's XMPP, so Bitlbee can't support them.

== Is there google hangouts groupchat support? ==

No. One to one chats should still work through jabber.

== Whatsapp? ==
=== Whatsapp? ===
Line 147: Line 217:
== Telegram? == === Telegram? ===
Line 150: Line 220:

== Is MSN still alive? ==

Yes, and microsoft still uses the msn protocol internally. See HowtoMsn

== Facebook says that I use an application called "Rtgw_xmpp_username_password_login" ==

This probably means "Realtime gateway xmpp username/password login" and it happens when you use password based login instead of oauth. See HowtoFacebook

== OAuth failure (Unusuable response) [sic] ==

You're probably using NSS, the default ssl/tls library in redhat based distros. Workaround, start bitlbee like this:

{{{
nohup bitlbee -Dn &
}}}

Or start bitlbee using xinetd. Or use the distro provided systemd units (the fedora ones start it correctly)

Bug http://bugs.bitlbee.org/bitlbee/ticket/785

There's a fix for this issue in the fedora 22 packages.

== twitter - Login error: Could not retrieve /friends/ids.xml: 403 Forbidden (SSL is required) ==

Upgrade to 3.2.1 (or 3.2.2)

Note that some builds are labeled 3.2-1, this is not the same as 3.2.1

== Loop of "Trying to take over existing session" ==

The session takeover feature isn't particularly good, and should be avoided. Do {{{set allow_takeover off}}} and consider using a bouncer like [[http://znc.in/|ZNC]] instead if you need this.

FAQ

I'm going to put #bitlbee frequently asked questions here, in no particular order, based on answers given in #bitlbee.

Work in progress! Currently covers questions from IRC logs from 2014-03-01 to 2014-05-03.

Contents

  1. FAQ
    1. General
      1. How to get the bitlbee version
      2. Version "3.2.1+otr4-1" losing messages or crashing
      3. <root> Setting ` ' does not exist. (and similar errors)
      4. How to show offline nicks in /names list
      5. Loop of "Trying to take over existing session"
    2. SSL / TLS
      1. How to connect to the bitlbee server with SSL/TLS?
      2. What SSL/TLS library does bitlbee use?
      3. Using NSS, can't establish connections ("Unusuable response" etc)
    3. Compilation / installation issues
      1. "help otr" gives a help message but "otr foo" says "unknown command"
      2. I've rebuilt bitlbee and everything seems the same
      3. The nick is (probably) not registered
      4. `make install` throws errors about xmlto not found
      5. Random issues that make no sense at all and absolutely nobody understands
    4. Jabber
      1. Can't connect to google talk
      2. jabber: Setting `oauth' does not exist.
      3. How to register a new jabber account in a server?
      4. Is there google hangouts groupchat support?
    5. Facebook's jabber
      1. Several "FacebookUser" contacts that can't be identified
      2. facebook: Users join before sending messages, then quit
      3. Facebook says that I use an application called "Rtgw_xmpp_username_password_login"
      4. Is there facebook groupchat support?
      5. Other weird issues with facebook
    6. Twitter
      1. twitter: Error: Could not retrieve /1.1/favorites/create.json: 404 Not Found (Sorry, that page does not exist)
      2. twitter: Error: Stream closed (200 OK)
      3. twitter - Login error: Could not retrieve /friends/ids.xml: 403 Forbidden (SSL is required)
      4. Twitter shows messages from blocked users
      5. Twitter reconnects too often, it's annoying
    7. MSN
      1. msn - Error: Session terminated by remote server (RCT)
      2. Is MSN still alive?
    8. Other questions
      1. Skype plugin losing messages
      2. Whatsapp?
      3. Telegram?

General

How to get the bitlbee version

/ctcp root version

The result might be in the status window, depending on irc client.

Version "3.2.1+otr4-1" losing messages or crashing

Upgrade to latest bzr (apt repo here) or 3.2.2. Applies to early development versions and the ones that are currently shipped with debian testing/unstable and ubuntu trusty 14.04.

See: VersionReference http://bugs.bitlbee.org/bitlbee/ticket/1109 http://bugs.bitlbee.org/bitlbee/ticket/1110

<root> Setting ` ' does not exist. (and similar errors)

You might have a OTR plugin in your irc client or bouncer, which sends a whitespace pattern (made of spaces and tabs) when it's set to "opportunistic" mode, and having that at the end of root commands confuses bitlbee. Find a way to disable it. (Note that the bitlbee otr plugin does the same, but only where it makes sense).

How to show offline nicks in /names list

chan &bitlbee set show_users online+,away+,offline

Loop of "Trying to take over existing session"

The session takeover feature isn't particularly good, and should be avoided. Do set allow_takeover off and consider using a bouncer like ZNC instead if you need this.


SSL / TLS

How to connect to the bitlbee server with SSL/TLS?

Use stunnel or tls-enabled irc bouncer (e.g. ZNC) in front of it. (TODO: docs)

What SSL/TLS library does bitlbee use?

Either gnutls, openssl, or nss, depending on compilation parameters.

GnuTLS is the most common one, most distros use it, and it's the recommended option.

OpenSSL has no detection code (will never be used unless chosen explicitly) and will show a warning about the possible GNU GPL license incompatibility when trying to compile against it. Last time i checked, only openbsd compiled bitlbee against openssl.

NSS is used by redhat based distros - RHEL, centos, fedora, etc. Affected by this bug http://bugs.bitlbee.org/bitlbee/ticket/785 - but should be okay when using the systemd scripts provided in their packages, or inetd mode.

Using NSS, can't establish connections ("Unusuable response" etc)

(NSS is the default ssl/tls library in redhat based distros like centos or fedora)

Workaround, start bitlbee like this:

nohup bitlbee -Dn &

Or start bitlbee using xinetd. Or use the distro provided systemd units / init scripts (the fedora ones start it correctly)

Bug http://bugs.bitlbee.org/bitlbee/ticket/785

There's a fix for this issue in the fedora 22 packages.


Compilation / installation issues

"help otr" gives a help message but "otr foo" says "unknown command"

The help text is always included even if you don't have the otr plugin installed. Install it.

I've rebuilt bitlbee and everything seems the same

Check ps aux, kill all old bitlbee processes. Disconnect your irc client. Ensure that you installed to the right place (the configure script installs to /usr/local by default)

The nick is (probably) not registered

Check that the permissions of the files in /var/lib/bitlbee match the user that is running the bitlbee daemon.

`make install` throws errors about xmlto not found

It's building the user guide. Install asciidoc. You could also ignore the error.

Random issues that make no sense at all and absolutely nobody understands

Might be selinux. If you're on a redhat distro, use their packages and init scripts, which are correctly configured. Otherwise, learn to configure it or disable it.


Jabber

Can't connect to google talk

Probably a SRV resolution error, related to http://bugs.bitlbee.org/bitlbee/ticket/1098

account jabber set server talk.google.com

jabber: Setting `oauth' does not exist.

You're using bitlbee-libpurple, which has a different jabber implementation without oauth. Install the normal bitlbee if you don't need any libpurple specific plugins.

As of 3.2.2 you can build bitlbee with the builtin jabber module and libpurple by running ./configure with --jabber=1 --purple=1

Tickets: http://bugs.bitlbee.org/bitlbee/ticket/1141 http://bugs.bitlbee.org/bitlbee/ticket/731

How to register a new jabber account in a server?

Not supported yet. You can use a client like psi or gajim one time just to do the registration step, then do the rest in bitlbee.

Is there google hangouts groupchat support?

No. One to one chats should still work through jabber.


Facebook's jabber

Several "FacebookUser" contacts that can't be identified

These are most likely profiles that were deleted or that blocked you. They might be included in the friends list of your facebook profile. The facebook mobile app might show an option to remove those contacts.

facebook: Users join before sending messages, then quit

This is bitlbee showing exactly what the facebook xmpp server says. You might want to ignore it in your irc client.

Example /ignore for irssi (will not work for other clients)

/ignore *!*@chat.facebook.com JOINS QUITS

Facebook says that I use an application called "Rtgw_xmpp_username_password_login"

This probably means "Realtime gateway xmpp username/password login" and it happens when you use password based login instead of oauth. See HowtoFacebook

Is there facebook groupchat support?

No. Groupchats aren't supported in Facebook's XMPP, so Bitlbee can't support them.

Other weird issues with facebook

The fallback answer for most facebook issues is "blame their server" - it's not a real xmpp server but a gateway to their service, which doesn't have a history of being particularly stable.

(But if the issue is not here or in HowtoFacebook, ask on IRC! We might find a solution)


Twitter

See also issues listed in HowtoTwitter

twitter: Error: Could not retrieve /1.1/favorites/create.json: 404 Not Found (Sorry, that page does not exist)

The tweet was deleted

twitter: Error: Stream closed (200 OK)

Bitlbee has to reconnect due to twitter server side maintenance. It's often harmless, but might be annoying, see the following question.

twitter - Login error: Could not retrieve /friends/ids.xml: 403 Forbidden (SSL is required)

Upgrade to 3.2.1 (or 3.2.2)

Note that some builds are labeled 3.2-1, this is not the same as 3.2.1

Twitter shows messages from blocked users

Turns out we're supposed to get a list of blocked users and hide them on our side. (TODO: trac ticket)

Twitter reconnects too often, it's annoying

Try this:

account twitter set show_old_mentions 0


MSN

msn - Error: Session terminated by remote server (RCT)

RCT means reconnect. The remote server needs to restart for maintenance.

Is MSN still alive?

Yes, and microsoft still uses the msn protocol internally. See HowtoMsn


Other questions

(Add new questions here, move them later.)

Skype plugin losing messages

See known issues section of HowtoSkype, a few workarounds there.

Whatsapp?

See HowtoWhatsapp

Telegram?

Probably not. http://bugs.bitlbee.org/bitlbee/ticket/1140

BitlBee Wiki: FAQ (last edited 2017-02-05 04:07:56 by dx)